Machine for producing multiaxial fibrous webs
AssigneesSnecma Propulsion Solide, Hexcel Reinforcements
InventorsBruno Bompard, Pierre Olry, Renaud Duval, Alain Bruyere, Dominique Coupe, Jean Aucagne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of unidirectional sheets (30a, 30b, 30c) are superposed in different directions and they are bonded together. At least one of the unidirectional sheets is made by spreading a tow so as to obtain uniform thickness, width not less than 5 cm, and a weight of no more than 300 g/m2, cohesion being imparted to the sheet so as to enable it to be handled prior to being superposed with other sheets. Advantageously, the unidirectional sheets are made of carbon fibers and are obtained by spreading out large tows.
Claims50
A method of making a multiaxial fibre sheet having a longitudinal direction, the method comprising:
- superposing at least two unidirectional sheets fed in different directions onto a support that moves in a direction of advance parallel to the longitudinal direction of the multiaxial sheet to make, and bonding the superposed sheets together,
- wherein at least one of the unidirectional sheets is formed by spreading at least one tow of filaments so as to obtain a sheet of substantially uniform thickness, having a width of not less than 5 cm and a weight of not more than 300 g/m2, and the at least one unidirectional sheet is fed in a direction transverse to the direction of advance, and successive segments of unidirectional sheet are fed at a selected angle relative to the direction of advance by repeating a sequence comprising:
- moving the at least one unidirectional sheet above said support parallely to the transverse direction, cutting out a segment from the at least one unidirectional sheet, and depositing the cut off segment on said support or on the multiaxial sheet that is being made to be superposed with at least one other unidirectional sheet, and
- transverse cohesion is provided to the at least one unidirectional sheet and maintained while the at least one unidirectional sheet is handled prior to being deposited as successive segments.
A method of making a multiaxial fiber sheet having a longitudinal direction, the method comprising:
- superposing at least two unidirectional sheets fed in different directions onto a support that moves in a direction of advance parallel to the longitudinal direction of the multiaxial sheet being made, and bonding the superposed sheets together;
- wherein at least one of the unidirectional sheets is formed from at least one spread tow and has a substantially uniform thickness, a width of not less than 5 cm and a weight of not more than 300 g/m2;
- the at least one unidirectional sheet is fed in a direction transverse to the direction of advance as successive segments which form a same selected angle relative to the direction of advance and which are superposed with at least one other unidirectional sheet;
- each of the successive segments is obtained by advancing the at least one unidirectional sheet above said support, cutting out a segment from the at least one unidirectional sheet and depositing the cut off segment on said support or on the multiaxial sheet that is being made;
- transverse cohesion of the at least one unidirectional sheet is maintained while being handled prior to being deposited as successive segments;
- and
- the deposited successive segments of the at least one unidirectional sheet are held on said support relative to the at least one other unidirectional sheet at least until the unidirectional sheets have been bonded together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.