Apparatus for and method of manufacturing a helically wound tubular structure

Abstract

An apparatus (50) for and method of manufacturing structures (116) includes coaxial rotating faceplates (74, 89, 97), capable of rotation at different angular speeds. A plurality of forming rollers (76) and diameter defining rollers (78) are mounted on the inner faceplate (74, 89), which, in operation, cause a strip material (80) to be plastically deformed into a helical winding which may be lain down in abutting or self-overlapping relationship to form said tubular structure (116). A plurality of support rollers are mounted in a circle on the inner faceplate (74, 89) at a distance from the axis exceeding that of the outermost forming roller and serve to support the stock of strip material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a United States national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT / GB2010 / 050054 filed on Jan. 14, 2010, and claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 0900721.2 filed on Jan. 16, 2009, both of which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference. The International Application was published as International Publication No. WO 2010 / 082058 on Jul. 22, 2010.FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a winding apparatus and a method of manufacturing structures and relates particularly to the manufacture of pipes and longitudinal structures formed by winding strips of material, such as metal, Kevlar, plastic, glass fibre, composites of such materials or strips formed from layers comprising one or more of said materials in a helical relationship. Other structures such as storage vessels, towers and support structures may also benefit from features described he...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing tubular structures that overcomes some of the problems associated with prior art. The apparatus includes an inner faceplate and an outer faceplate, each rotatably mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The inner faceplate has forming rollers and inner support rollers for receiving and supporting a strip of material. The outer faceplate has forming rollers and outer support rollers. The inner and outer faceplates are substantially co-planar and driven relative to each other about the longitudinal axis. This arrangement allows for controlled consumption of stock at the forming station and continuous supply of strip material towards the core, resulting in a uniform final helical winding. The apparatus also includes a brake for preventing rotation of the outer faceplate and a minimal interruption or continuous supply of strip material to the inner winding process."

Problems solved by technology

This is a complex process.

This can be a very lengthy process.

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