Sabot segment molding apparatus
AssigneePrimex Technologies, Inc.
InventorJohn T. McGovern
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sabot segment molding apparatus and a method for molding a sabot segment therein, are provided in which wedge-shaped sections of carbon-fiber plies, impregnated with B-stage epoxy or thermoplastic resin, are stacked in a heated arcuate channel. Pressure is applied to the radial surface of the stack by a compression mechanism acting on a novel hinged wing assembly. The hinge pin is secured coaxially in the channel by a support mechanism, so that no vertical downward force is applied to the stack. Instead, a pair of hinged planar wing members rotate around the hinge pin toward each other, and compress the stack of wedge-shaped sections to the desired arcuate shape. The compressed stack is kept under a desired pressure and temperature for a desired period of time until a suitable 120.degree. sabot segment is formed.
Claims6
A sabot segment molding apparatus, comprising:
- a base, having an elongated substantially semicircular arcuate channel with a central axis and a predetermined diameter;
- a hinged wing assembly including an elongated hinge pin pivotally connecting a pair of planar substantially rectangular wing members having a wing span dimension substantially corresponding to the diameter of the arcuate channel;
- hinge pin support means rigidly fixing the hinge pin coaxially with the central axis mounted at opposite ends of the base;
- compression means for urging the wing members pivotally around the hinge pin in a direction toward one another in the arcuate channel to compress the sabot segment to a predetermined angular sector of the channel;
- and
- heating means for heating the sabot segment in the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.