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US 6,439,096 B1Granted
Automated 3-D braiding machine and method
Assignee3Tex, Inc.
InventorsDmitri Mungalov, Alex Bogdanovich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine for producing complex-shaped, three-dimensional engineered fiber preforms having unitary, integral and seamless structures and, a method for making the preforms on the machine, and preforms produced thereby. The integral design and structure of the preform is formed by a combination of interlacing and non-interlacing fiber systems that permits variable cross-sectional area and dimensions from a first end to a second end along an axis via selective activation and control of at least one module, preferably a plurality of moduli connected to each other in any desirable configuration.
Claims23
A machine for producing three-dimensional engineered fiber preforms comprising:
- at least one module including
- at least one module cell that is comprised of
- at least two horngears,
- at least two carrier drivers, and
- at least one rotary gripping fork, in mechanical connection to each other;
- each horngear having a symmetrical horngear cell with complementary sections for carrying each of the carrier drivers;
- each horngear connected to a horngear drive motor;
- each rotary gripping fork having an independent drive;
- each module cell having a compact configuration, which is defined by the symmetrical horngear cells matched with the carrier drivers to form a circular area, with a rotary gripping fork matched with and positioned in between the carrier drivers;
- each of the at least two carrier drivers include a carrier with a yam supply thereon;
- and
- a computer control system for operating the machine in a programmable, predetermined pattern of movement of the carrier drivers by the respective horngear and the rotary gripping fork;
- wherein activation of the at least one module selectively moves the carrier drivers individually and simultaneously across the at least one module by rotation of the homgears and independent rotation of the rotary gripping fork, for producing a complex shaped threedimensional braided fiber perform having a unitary, integral construction from a plurality of fibers.
10 more elements
A machine for producing three-dimensional engineered fiber preforms comprising:
- a plurality of modules seamlessly connected adjacent to one another and having a gate design between adjacent modules comprising rotary gripping forks that match adjacent modules together and that function exactly as rotary gripping forks within each module for moving carrier drivers between adjacent modules,
- wherein each module comprises
- at least one module cell that is comprised of
- at least two horngears,
- at least two carrier drivers, and
- at least one rotary gripping fork, in mechanical connection to each other;
- each horngear having a symmetrical horngear cell with complementary sections for carrying each of the carrier drivers;
- each horngear connected to a horngear drive motor;
- each rotary gripping fork having an independent drive;
- each module cell having a compact configuration, which is defined by the symmetrical horngear cells matched with the carrier drivers to form a circular area, with a rotary gripping fork matched with and positioned in between the carrier drivers;
- each of the at least two carrier drivers include a carrier with a yarn supply thereon;
- and
- a computer control system for operating the machine in a programmable, predetermined pattern of movement of the carrier drivers by the respective horngear and the rotary gripping fork;
- wherein activation of the plurality of modules selectively moves the carrier drivers a individually and simultaneously across the modules by rotation of the horngears and independent rotation of the rotary gripping fork, for producing a complex shaped three-dimensional braided fiber perform having a unitary, integral construction from a plurality of fibers.
11 more elements
A method for producing complex shaped, three-dimensional engineered fiber preforms having a unitary, integral and seamless structure comprising the steps of:
- providing a machine having a braiding mechanism for automatically manufacturing complex-shaped 3-D braided fiber preforms in continuous series, wherein the machine comprises
- a plurality of modules seamlessly connected adjacent to one another and having a gate design between adjacent modules comprising rotary gripping forks that match adjacent modules together and that function exactly as rotary gripping forks within each module for moving carrier drivers between adjacent modules,
- wherein each module comprises
- at least one module cell that is comprised of
- at least two homgears,
- at least two carrier drivers, and
- at least one rotary gripping fork, in mechanical connection to each other;
- each horngear having a symmetrical horngear cell with complementary sections for carrying each of the carrier drivers;
- each horngear connected to a horngear drive motor;
- each rotary gripping fork having an independent drive;
- each module cell having a compact configuration, which is defined by the symmetrical horngear cells matched with the carrier drivers to form a circular area, with a rotary gripping fork matched with and positioned in between the carrier drivers;
- each of the at least two carrier drivers include a carrier with a yarn supply thereon;
- and
- a computer control system for operating the machine in a programmable, predetermined pattern of movement of the carrier drivers by the respective horngear and the rotary gripping fork;
- said method further including the steps of:
- performing an initial check-out of the machine to ensure that the carrier drives are aligned with the rotary gripping forks;
- partially turning all horngears with yarn carriers for 45°;
- activating a take up system;
- turning select rotary gripping forks for confirming transfer of the carrier drivers from one horngear to adjacent homgears;
- starting the machine;
- operating the machine during a required time for making a predetermined preform shape and length, wherein operating the machine includes the steps of:
- activating the plurality of modules;
- and
- selectively moving the carrier drivers individually and simultaneously across the modules by rotating the homgears and independently rotating the rotary gripping forks according to a programmed pattern.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.