Back to results
US 5,685,956 AGranted
Method and apparatus for binding fibers in a fiber reinforced preform
AssigneeThe Budd Company
InventorBruce Norman Greve
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for binding the fibers of a fiber reinforced plastic preform. A fiber reinforced plastic preform is created in a preselected geometry from a mixture of reinforcing fibers and binding material. The fiber reinforced plastic preform is sequentially exposed to high temperature steam and cool air causing the binding material first to melt and, thereafter, to solidify thus binding and locking the reinforcing fibers of the preform in place. The fiber reinforced plastic preform is ejected from the apparatus by air pressure and is retrieved by any suitable method.
Claims29
An apparatus for forming fiber reinforced plastic preforms comprising:
- (a) a tank containing a slurry including a mixture of reinforcing fibers selected from the group comprising glass, graphite and polyester fibers, and binding fibers;
- (b) a contoured first screen supported within the tank;
- (c) means for translating the contoured first screen through the tank whereby the mixture is deposited on the contoured first screen in a mass;
- (d) a second member;
- (e) means for moving the second member adjacent to the mass on the contoured first screen;
- (f) means for heating the second member to transfer heat to the mass to cause the binding fibers to melt;
- and
- (g) means for thereafter cooling the second member to lower the temperature of the binding fibers to solidify the binding fibers about the reinforcing fibers to thereby form a relatively rigid fiber reinforced preform which can be removed from the screen while substantially maintaining its shape.
5 more elements
An apparatus for forming fiber reinforced plastic preforms comprising:
- (a) a tank containing a slurry including a mixture of reinforcing fibers and binding fibers;
- (b) a contoured first screen supported within the tank;
- (c) means for translating the contoured first screen through the tank whereby the mixture is deposited on the contoured first screen in a mass;
- (d) a contoured second screen;
- (e) means for nesting the contoured second screen within the contoured first screen;
- (f) means for heating the contoured second screen to transfer heat to the mass to cause the binding fibers to melt;
- and
- (g) means for thereafter cooling the contoured second screen to lower the temperature of the binding fibers to solidify the binding fibers about the reinforcing fibers to thereby form a relatively rigid preform which can be removed from the contoured first screen while substantially maintaining its shape.
5 more elements
An apparatus for forming fiber reinforced plastic preforms comprising:
- (a) a tank having a top portion and a bottom portion, the tank containing a slurry of liquid, reinforcing fibers and binding fibers;
- (b) a removable contoured first screen having openings therein and being disposed within the tank;
- (c) a mask having an aperture therein in which the removable contoured first screen is located;
- (d) a matrix subframe secured below the mask and having a grid of vertically and horizontally extending bars, said matrix subframe having a plurality of openings and a contoured surface substantially matching the contour of the removable contoured first screen whereby the matrix subframe provides support over substantially the entire surface area of the removable contoured first screen while permitting a substantially non-disrupted flow of liquid through the removable contoured first screen;
- (e) means for raising the matrix subframe vertically toward the top portion of the tank at a sufficient rate to create a downward force which causes the slurry of liquid to pass through the openings in the removable contoured first screen whereby the reinforcing fibers and binding fibers are deposited on the removable contoured first screen thereby forming a preform;
- (f) a contoured second screen;
- (g) means for positioning the contoured second screen adjacent to the preform;
- and
- (h) means for passing high temperature steam and cool air through the contoured second screen, the preform and the removable contoured first screen to thereby bind the reinforcing fibers in the preform.
6 more elements
An apparatus for forming fiber reinforced plastic preforms comprising:
- (a) a tank containing a slurry including a mixture of reinforcing fibers and binding fibers;
- (b) a contoured first screen supported within the tank;
- (c) means for translating the contoured first screen through the tank whereby the mixture is deposited on the contoured first screen in a mass;
- (d) heating means for transferring heat to the mass to cause the binding fibers to melt;
- (e) cooling means for thereafter cooling the mass to lower the temperature of the binding fibers to solidify the binding fibers about the reinforcing fibers to thereby form a relatively rigid preform which can be removed from the contoured first screen while substantially maintaining its shape;
- and
- (f) means for removing the fiber reinforced plastic preform from the contoured first screen, the cooling means being independent from the means for removing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.