Controlled circumferential impregnation device
AssigneeAirbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
InventorsSven Meyer-Noack, Jörg Radekopf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for molding by impregnation of at least one reinforcing layer constituting a piece to be molded or at least one reinforcing layer covering a piece, with a resin in liquid form. The device includes a mold extending around the reinforcing layer by defining a resin circulation space, an end piece for supplying resin in the circulation space, an end piece for evacuating the surplus resin as well as elements for generating a flow of resin in the circulation space. The mold includes a flexible conduit and elements for mechanically deforming the flexible conduit to shape the circulation space according to the impregnation parameters.
Claims20
A molding device by impregnation of at least one reinforcing layer constituting of a piece to be molded or at least one reinforcing layer covering a piece, with a resin in liquid form, the device comprising a mold extending around the reinforcing layer by defining a resin circulation space, an end piece for supplying resin into the circulation space, an end piece for evacuating surplus resin as well as means for generating a flow of resin in the circulation space, wherein the mold comprises, a flexible conduit, and means for mechanically deforming the flexible conduit, to shape the circulation space according to the impregnation parameters, the means for mechanically deforming the flexible conduit being at least in part integrated or embedded in the material constituting the flexible conduit and comprising at least one displaceable rigid rod, integrated in the material constituting the flexible conduit, each end of the rigid rod being articulated on a separate mobile arm, the position of the mobile arms determining the position of the rigid rod and consequently the conformation of the flexible conduit.
A molding device for impregnating a preform comprising at least one reinforcing layer with a resin in liquid form, the device comprising:
- a flexible mold extending around the preform to define a resin circulation space;
- a resin flow generator;
- an end piece for supplying resin into the circulation space;
- and
- an end piece for evacuating surplus resin from the circulation space, wherein the flexible mold comprises a flexible conduit having an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall and at least one deformation member disposed between the inner and outer circumferential walls for mechanically deforming the flexible conduit, the at least one deformation member comprising at least one rigid rod extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flexible conduit, each of the at least one rigid rod having a respective first end articulated on a respective first mobile arm and a respective second end articulated on a respective second mobile arm, to shape the circulation space according to the impregnation parameters.
A molding device for impregnating a reinforcing layer preform with a liquid resin, the device comprising:
- a mold core for supporting the preform;
- a flexible conduit for extending around the preform and cooperating with the mold and the preform to define an annular resin circulation space;
- an end piece for supplying resin into the circulation space;
- an end piece for evacuating surplus resin from the circulation space;
- and
- at least four movable rigid rods disposed within the flexible conduit and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flexible conduit to shape the circulation space according to the impregnation parameters, each respective rigid rod having a respective first end articulated on a respective first mobile arm and a respective second end articulated on a respective second mobile arm, the rigid rods being distributed in an equidistant and parallel manner in a cylindrical structure within annular sections of the flexible conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.