Machine for the very high-speed production of tanks for cryogenic liquid or high-pressure gas, with composite reinforcement.

Abstract

The present invention relates to the high-speed, low-cost manufacturing of tanks: For cryogenic liquids For high-pressure gases for storing compressed gases, whether for industrial needs or transport, by transport we understand, automobiles, coaches and buses, railcars, trucks, boats, airplanes, rockets, space vehicles. Conventional solutions use wet-laid rovings (17); these solutions, inherited from aeronautics, are slow and poorly suited to mass production. The solution, the subject of the invention, makes it possible to produce more than ten times faster than traditional solutions. "Figure to be published for the abstract: Figure 1"

Description

Title of the invention: Machine for producing, at very high speed, tanks for cryogenic liquid or high-pressure gas, with composite reinforcement. Technical field

[0001] High pressure tanks are used to store compressed gases, whether for industrial needs or transport, by transport we understand, automobiles, coaches and buses, railcars, trucks, boats, airplanes, rockets, space vehicles.

[0002] The gases to be stored under pressure, perhaps compressed air, natural gas, any kind of industrial gas and in particular hydrogen, or helium, these latter gases have the particularity of being particularly fleeting, this therefore implies perfectly sealed tanks.

[0003] The future of road mobility involves the use of hydrogen, rather than electric batteries, so we must consider low-cost and highly reliable pressure tank production technologies.

[0004] Used, to date, mainly in chemistry or refining, hydrogen is an energy vector which could contribute to decarbonizing certain industrial sectors, ensuring the storage of electricity or supplying the transport sector.

[0005] The deployment of hydrogen technologies, however, awaits the lifting of a certain number of obstacles, in particular that of the production of low-cost tanks. Definitions#:

[0006] By "capability" we mean the capacity of a means of production to produce without incident or stopping of said production, we say for example that such means has a capability of 80%, when it is capable of producing 80% of the time.

[0007] By axis “AS” we mean the polar axis of symmetry of revolution of a tank, this axis going from one pole to the other of said tank.

[0008] The term “liner” refers to the internal sealed envelope of a gas tank.

[0009] A tank is mainly composed of a cylindrical part bordered by two domes which close its ends, the transition zone beyond the cylindrical part extends into the domes by a zone called shoulder (25) the ends of the tank are called the poles.

[0010] By "polar" winding is meant the winding, known to those skilled in the art, which goes mainly from one pole to the other by rotating near the insert, generally metallic, which is placed at least at one of the poles. This definition is valid, both, for a cylindrical tank and for a spherical tank.

[0011] By “equatorial” winding is meant the winding, known to those skilled in the art, which will mainly rotate parallel to the equator of a cylindrical tank in order to form a kind of reinforcing cylinder, with polar axis “AS”, over at least the entire perfectly cylindrical part of said tank.

[0012] By "geodesic" trajectory we mean the stable and shortest possible trajectory that the rovings laid under tension in a wet process must follow, and going from one pole to the other of a cylindrical tank. This trajectory is defined so as not to slip laterally during laying.

[0013] In a cylindrical tank, the term "shoulders" (25) [Fig. 11] refers to the transition zone between the purely cylindrical shape and the beginning of the dome shape which follows towards the pole.

[0014] By "roving" we mean a set of fibrils grouped into a bundle

[0015] By "pre-impregnated roving" is meant a roving impregnated with a "complex of pre-impregnation”, the so-called pre-impregnation complex, is composed of a high molecular weight resin, a hardener and an accelerator. At room temperature the pre-impregnation complex, called the matrix, is particularly viscous (around 200 PAs) at room temperature, it therefore does not flow and keeps the fibers perfectly “in their place” in the pre-impregnated roving (17). The impregnated roving assembly is called a composite. The resin, the hardener and the accelerator is called a matrix.

[0016] By "tack" or "stickiness" is meant the property that a pre-impregnated composite tape (17) has to adhere to a support or to another pre-impregnated composite tape, without slipping.

[0017] “Wet” filament winding refers to a process in which the fibers are impregnated with liquid resin at room temperature, just before being wound onto the liner. The fibers are therefore wet, they have no cohesion or tack. State of the prior art

[0018] There are four main types of compressed gas storage tanks:

[0019] Type I corresponds to a thick metal envelope acting as both structural and liner part,

[0020] Type II has a metal liner whose cylindrical part is reinforced by a composite (fiber + resin) wound circumferentially by winding. With this type of tank, the liner supports a large part of the load due to pressurization, it is therefore structural.

[0021] Type III is a liner entirely wound with resin-coated fiber (composite structure). The liner is metallic, it does not support the load (or very little) and is not there only to prevent hydrogen permeation. This type of liner allows access to high static pressures, for example 700 bars of service.

[0022] Type IV is a liner entirely wound with resin-coated fiber (composite structure). The liner is made of polymer, for example High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), it does not support the load and is only there to prevent hydrogen permeation. It should be noted that the permeation is very poor for this type of tank, as well as the slowness (one hour) and the difficulty of producing the liner. This type of liner allows access to high operating pressures (700 bars). The composite structure is generally carbon fiber roving coated with epoxy resin.

[0023] Type III & IV tanks use their composite structure almost exclusively to ensure good mechanical resistance to pressure.

[0024] Metal tanks are commonly used, which have a considerable mass disadvantage when transporting them, and even more so if they are used in transport.

[0025] In order to reduce the mass of tanks, a significant trend in transport is to use type III & IV tanks, the composite of which is made by a system: fibers-resin wound by wet filament winding. The fibers are either carbon fibers or carbon fiber or glass fiber assemblies. The matrix is ​​either an epoxy, vinylester, or polyester matrix.

[0026] “Wet” filament winding is a process inherited from aviation; it is particularly unsuitable for mass production because it involves: excessively long winding times. The management of the wires, arranged in a sheet, is laborious and complicated, particularly during variations in wire speed, especially when moving from polar winding to equatorial winding.

[0027] A considerable amount of non-production time is incurred when moving from the end of production of one tank to the start of production of the next, this is due in particular to the time lost during the installation of the wires and the re-starting of the next winding.

[0028] In wet processing, the path of the wires, in a sheet, from the storage reels to their placement on the tank is particularly complex and can measure around ten meters! Along this path the wires can break, jam, or fray for example, in the guide eyes; one of the reels supplying said sheet can end up in the middle of winding, so that, for all these reasons, the "capability" of the installation is poor.

[0029] The fibers, in the wet process, are impregnated with a particularly fluid resin, at the material health level this has serious consequences, in fact: segregations are observed, particularly in the pole zone, when the fibers undergo uncontrolled traction. The fibers under tension "flow" and the resin "floats" in the deposition area. This results, after polymerization, in the formation of cracks in the resin, the penetration of pollutants and in particular water and therefore a deterioration of the properties of the composite; in all cases we have absolutely no control over the fiber content or the position of said fibers in the thickness of the composite, in general the fibers are not placed in the thickness of the composite, in the desired position....

[0030] In wet conditions, the layers of wires have no compactness or tack, they must be laid along optimized trajectories, geodesic, so that there is no risk of lateral slippage.

[0031] The matrices used in the wet process must not polymerize quickly in the impregnation tank in order to be able to work for at least eight hours without having to clean the tank; it is therefore necessary to use poor quality resins offering a low TG of around 110°C.

[0032] In the case of a cylindrical tank; the reason why an equatorial winding is practiced on the polar winding is the following: the axis stresses parallel to the polar axis are much lower than the stresses perpendicular to said axis; the role of the equatorial winding is therefore to control the excess stresses induced diametrically.

[0033] The problem is located at the shoulders (25) (see [Fig. 11]) in fact the stresses perpendicular to the polar axis are still high in this zone, but, because of the dome shape. In the wet process, it is not possible to reinforce it with the equatorial winding; we therefore end up with a weak zone which is partially compensated by oversizing the polar winding which is expensive in terms of composite mass. Prior patents

[0034] French patent FR 3126148 of 02 / 17 / 2023 published under number 3081208 on 11 / 26 / 2021: this patent of the author describes an optimized structure, and means of mass production, of very high pressure tanks at low cost.

[0035] French patent FR 1701130 of October 31, 2017, this patent of the author describes the production of pre-impregnated roving. Pre-impregnated roving useful in the context of this patent.

[0036] French patent FR 2108636 of August 18, 2021, and extension USA 17889177 of August 16, 2022 This patent of the author describes a new type of ultra-thin aluminum type III liner. This patent describes a type of liner preferentially used in the context of this patent

[0037] French patent FR 2923575al of 15-05-2009 (Michelin) describes a type IV tank, its structure and the way of producing it using 2 ribbons. This said patent has no relevant relationship with the present patent.

[0038] US Patent 2017 / 130017 A1 (Okamoto (JP)) dated May 11, 2017 discloses a prepreg roving using a prepreg resin system of the applicant. Said patent has no relevant relationship to the present patent.

[0039] Patent EP 2962833 Al (Covess (DE)) of January 6, 2016 describes a tank made with thermoplastic ribbons. This said patent has no relevant relationship with the present patent. The present invention aims to#

[0040] Goal to improve productivity by a factor greater than or equal to 10 compared to the prior art:

[0041] The aim is to enable significantly higher deposition rates than with the traditional wet process, due to the fact that the pre-impregnated matrix has sufficient cohesion and shear strength to allow for significant tension variations, and has perfect immunity to centrifugal drainage. With the wet process, especially towards the poles, the rovings are put under tension and they tend to "sink" into the resin and group together near the liner, which results in the creation of a thick, unreinforced resin zone towards the surface. After polymerization, it is not uncommon to observe cracks at the poles.

[0042] The aim is to allow a large number of pre-impregnated rovings to be deposited at a time, which further improves the production speed. Since the pre-impregnated rovings are packaged in ready-to-use reels, it is no longer necessary to have a complex feeding device; for example, it is possible to have 32 reels (3), from which 32 sets of pre-impregnated rovings (17) are produced, which are deposited on the liner (2) radially ([Fig.l]) and in a perfectly symmetrical manner with respect to the polar axis “AS”. Machines equipped with at least more than 2 cylindrical reels, for example 120 reels or more, are perfectly conceivable.

[0043] Purpose to eliminate the time lost between two tanks, the pre-impregnated rovings from a completed tank (2) being able to pass onto the next bare liner (2a) (see [Fig. 11]) and (see [Fig. 13]) without cutting the pre-impregnated rovings, the separation between the finished tank and its next one being able to be done when the next tank has a sufficiently secure covering (see [Fig. 13]).

[0044] Purpose to improve the capability of the production means, thanks to the reliability and robustness of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) and the simplicity of the trajectory of said pre-impregnated rovings between the reels (3) and the liner (2) (see figures 1 then 4a and 4b).

[0045] But to improve quality:

[0046] The aim is to enable perfect control of material health by using pre-impregnated rovings, the fiber content and position of the fibers in the matrix of which can be precisely adjusted during their production. Indeed, in measuring the variation of reasonable tension, the yarns do not "flow" into the prepreg roving (17), because the matrix has sufficient cohesion, viscosity and shear strength.

[0047] Purpose to eliminate thermoplastic liners with low TG and high permeation rate. Said thermoplastic liners are produced: by extrusion then by blowing into a mold, or by rotational molding. Preferably using a thin metal liner (2) subject of French patent FR 2108636 of August 18, 2021 already mentioned above.

[0048] But thanks to the tack of the pre-impregnated rovings, give greater freedom in the choice of polar winding trajectories, one can therefore deviate, if necessary, from the sacrosanct geodesics, and above all, in the case of equatorial winding, allow one to descend along the shoulders without slipping, and therefore effectively reinforce the shoulder area (25) and therefore save material! DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] [Fig.2] and 3 show the main body of the production machine; it is mainly composed of a casing (15) carrying the reels (3). The said casing (see [Fig.5]) is made up of a fixed part (1) and a removable part (15) (see figures 4a and 4b).

[0050] The fixed part (1) carries digital brake motors (13) equipped with dog mechanisms (5) ([Fig.7]).

[0051] The brake motors (13) make it possible to control the rotation speed of the reels (3) and therefore the tension of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) coming from the part (3a) of the reels (3).

[0052] The brake motors (3) also make it possible to check the presence and non-rupture of the pre-impregnated roving (17)

[0053] The movable part (15) carries coil support axes (12) and preferably their embeddings (11), this part (15) also carries coils (3), a guide gun tube (16), a support shield (19) for the guide bars of the pre-impregnated rovings (18), pre-impregnated rovings (17), said guide bars (18) being preferably made of ceramic or any equivalent low-friction means.

[0054] The movable part (15) carries centering axes (4). Said axes make it possible to finely manage the guidance of the movable part (15) when it is inserted into the fixed part (1).

[0055] Thanks to this configuration it is possible, if two mobile parts (15) are available, to equip, in hidden time, one mobile part (15) with its new reels (3), while the other mobile part (15) is in production.

[0056] It is noted ([Fig.6] and [Fig.7]) that the coils (3) carry dogs (12) at one end, and that they are mounted on ball bearings (20a) and (20b) and Belleville type washers (21)

[0057] [Fig. 1] allows us to appreciate the simplicity of the trajectory of the pre-impregnated rovings (17), we have taken great care with this integration in order to minimize the risks of breakage of the pre-impregnated rovings and optimize the control of their tensions.

[0058] [Fig.l] shows how the guide guns (22) operate; in fact, they are preferably equipped with a single-flag ceramic inlet eyelet (23a) (flag facing upstream) intended to make the direction of the incident pre-impregnated roving (17) perfectly radial; and preferably with a single-flag ceramic outlet eyelet (23b) intended to manage the pre-impregnated roving outlet trajectory towards the liner (2) (flag facing downstream).

[0059] [Fig.2] and 3 show that at the base of the main body of the production machine are arranged three guide rails (8a, 8b, 8c)

[0060] The central rail (8b) carries two carriages (6a and 6b) which support the liner and set it in rotation thanks to the motors (7a and 7b) in order to ensure the laying of equatorial pre-impregnated rovings, speeds of 300 revolutions per minute are accessible with this technology, which makes it possible to carry out equatorial windings typically in 1.5 minutes for tanks 1800 mm long and 120 mm in diameter!

[0061] The said carriages (6a and 6b), thanks to their motors (9a and 9b) can translate in a perfectly coordinated manner, in order to ensure the laying of polar pre-impregnated rovings, in combination with the slow rotation of the motors of type (7a) and (7b) thanks to this technology, it is possible to carry out polar windings typically in 1.4 minutes for tanks of 1800 mm in length and 120 mm in diameter!

[0062] [Fig.9] shows the auxiliary carriages (27a and 27b) which are used to ensure the holding of the liner (2) at the end of winding, with the carriage (27a), and the holding of the bare liner (2a) on approach, with the carriage (27b)

[0063] Figures 9 and 10 show the coupling of the two liners, the finished liner (2) and the bare liner (2a) approaching; Figures 11 and 13 show the passage of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) from one liner (2) to the next (2a); then the cutting (28) of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) with any means known to those skilled in the art, after securing the first polar sheet (29) on the liner (2a) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND REFERENCES

[0064] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] shows a view of the convergence of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) towards the liner (2), it also shows a coil (3) and a guide bar (18).

[0065] [Fig.2] Figures 2 and 3 show, in an isometric view, the main part of the production machine, namely the main body (1)(15) the support carriages (6a, 6b) and the rails (8a, 8b, 8c)

[0066] [Fig.3] Figures 2 and 3 show, in elevation, the main part of the production machine, namely the main body (1)(15) the support carriages (6a, 6b) and the rails (8a, 8b, 8c)

[0067] [Fig.4] Figures 4 a and 4 b show the moving part (15) of the production machine. In [Fig.4] b, the shield (19) has been made transparent in order to allow the guide bars (18) of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) to be easily seen.

[0068] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a view of the interior of the main body (1) where we can see the dogs (5) behind which are hidden all of the digital brake motors (13).

[0069] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a sectional view of a reel (3) in place; we see the area (3a) of winding by cutting the pre-impregnated rovings (17). The axis (12) supporting the bearings (20a) and (20b) said axis (12) is slidably mounted in the fixed part (1) and is embedded in the mobile part (15) preferably thanks to the support (11). The brake motor (13) carries the female dog clutch (5), or any equivalent coupling means which couples to the male dog clutch part, or any equivalent means, of the reel (3). Preferably a Belleville washer (21) ensures the compression of the assembly to avoid any vibration at high speed of the reel (3).

[0070] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] shows a view during the engagement of the male dog part of the coil (3) with the female dog part (5) carried by the brake motor (13).

[0071] [Fig.8] Figures 8 a and 8 b show a liner completely draped with composite (2) carried by the liner-carrying production tool (24a) and centered by the rotating headstock (10c) itself supported by the fixed headstock holder (10b) on the carriages (6b). In [Fig.8] b we see the slots made on the liner-carrying production tool (24a).

[0072] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows the approach phase of the empty (or bare) liner (2a), in translation towards the finished liner (2). We see the lateral supports (27a) and (27b), movable on the rails (8a) and (8c). The said lateral supports (27a) and (27b), are equipped with arms (26a) and (26b) which support the end tools (24a) and (24b) of the liners (2) and (2a), the lateral supports are digitally motorized for translation and are also digitally motorized for the movement of the arms (26a) and (26b).

[0073] [Fig.10] [Fig.9] and [Fig.10] show the approach and coupling phase of the end tools (24a) and (24b) of the liners (2) and (2a). The grooves at the end of the pole (31a) and (31b) are observed, (31a) being completely filled with composite, and (31b) being awaiting filling.

[0074] [Fig. 11] Figures 11 and 13 show a liner completely draped with composite (2) coupled to a liner (2a) receiving its first layer of composite (29), the pre-impregnated rovings (17) passing through the spaces provided between the crenellations (30) of the manufacturing tools (24a) and (24b). In [Fig. 13] we see the cutting of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) by means (28).

[0075] [Fig. 12] Figures 12 a and 12 b show a liner completely draped with composite (2) coming out of the main body of the machine (1)(15) followed by a liner (2a) which has received its first layer of composite (29), the pre-impregnated rovings (17) passing through the crenellated parts of the manufacturing tools (24a) and (24b). In [Fig. 13] we see the cutting of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) by the means (28).

[0076] [Fig. 13] Figures 11 and 13 show a liner completely draped with composite (2) coupled to a liner (2a) receiving its first layer of composite (29), the pre-impregnated rovings (17) passing through the crenellated parts of the manufacturing tools (24) and (24b). In [Fig. 13] we see the cutting of the pre-impregnated rovings (17) by the means (28) known to those skilled in the art.

[0077] (1) static part of the production machine.

[0078] (2) liner. Coaxial to the axis (AS)

[0079] (2a) “bare liner” coupled to a liner (2) completely draped with composite (i.e. i.e. not coated with composite or bare liner having received only the first layer of composite [Fig. 12] (a)). The said liner is coaxial with the axis (AS)

[0080] (3) pre-impregnated roving carrier reel. Coaxial to the axis (AS)

[0081] (3a) zone where the pre-impregnated roving (17) is cut.

[0082] (4) centering pin of the moving part (15) of the production machine vis-à-vis of the fixed part (1). Pin coaxial with the axis (AS) pins or equivalent means known to those skilled in the art, allowing precise positioning of the mobile part (15) with respect to the fixed part (1)

[0083] (5) female dog clutch carried by the brake motor (13) or any coupling means equivalent known to those skilled in the art.

[0084] (6a) and (6b) main liner carrier carriages.

[0085] (7a) and (7b) digital motors for rotating the liner ensuring removal equatorial of pre-impregnated rovings (17).

[0086] (8a, 8b, 8c) on the ground, guide rails of the carriages parallel to the axis (AS).

[0087] (9a) and (9b) digital translation motors of the carriages ensuring the polar deposit pre-impregnated rovings.

[0088] (9c) and (9d) digital translation motors of the auxiliary carriages (27 a) and (27b)

[0089] (10a) and (10b) fixed dolls for fixing the liner on the carriages (6a) and (6b).

[0090] (10c) rotating doll for fixing the liner on the carriages (6a) and (6b).

[0091] (11) means for embedding the axes (4) or (12).

[0092] (12) coil holder axis (3). Coaxial to the axis (AS).

[0093] (13) digital brake motor for controlling the voltage and the “presence” of the pre-impregnated rovings (17).

[0094] (14) means for embedding the tube (16).

[0095] (15) moving part of the production machine.

[0096] (16) “guide gun” carrier tube, coaxial with the axis (AS).

[0097] (17) pre-impregnated rovings.

[0098] (18) pre-impregnated roving guide bar (17). The bar is held on the part (15) on one side and on the shield (19) on the other.

[0099] (19) shield carried by the tube (16).

[0100] (20a) and (20b) ball bearings or equivalent.

[0101] (21) Belleville washer or equivalent.

[0102] (22) barrel carrying ceramic eyelets (23a) and (23b).

[0103] (23a) and (23b) single-flap ceramic eyelets ensuring guidance of the roving prepreg (17).

[0104] (24a) and (24b) production tooling, liner holders respectively liner (2) and liner (2a). These tools have notches (30), on their periphery, between which the pre-impregnated rovings pass, see figure (8b)

[0105] (24c) means for coupling production tools, liner holders, (24a) and (24b), comprising respectively a male part, on (24a), and a female part, on (24b), inspired by the mechanisms of bayonet bulb sockets or any equivalent means.

[0106] (25) shoulder reinforcement zone possible thanks to the tack of the rovings pre-impregnated, which does not slip when installed.

[0107] (26 a) and (26b) arms for holding the tools (24a) and (24b).

[0108] (27 a) and (27b) digitally motorized auxiliary carriages carrying the arms of holding (26 a) and (26b) and guided on the ground by the rails (8a) and (8c).

[0109] (28) system for cutting pre-impregnated rovings (17) with any known means of the man of art.

[0110] (29) first polar sheet deposited on the liner (2a).

[0111] (30) slots of the liner holder tools (24a) and (24b).

[0112] (31a) and (31b) groove made at each pole of the liners; groove of a pole, in which the pre-impregnated rovings (17) perform approximately a fraction of a turn before returning to the opposite pole.

[0113] (AS) axis of symmetry of revolution of the liner (2) or (2a) REMARKS

[0114] It is specified that the tube (16) can carry either guide guns (22) each equipped with one or two single-flag eyelets, or the said tube (16) can carry directly instead of the guns (22) sets of one or two single-flag eyelets. In the case where sets of two eyelets are used, these are parts, preferably made of commercial ceramic, one of the two eyelets having its flag directed towards the arrival of the pre-impregnated roving (17) the other eyelet having its pavilion directed towards the exit of the pre-impregnated roving (17). In the case where a single eyelet is used instead of a guide barrel (22), the latter is preferably made of ceramic, it must have an inlet pavilion and an outlet pavilion so as to facilitate the arrival of the pre-impregnated roving towards its neck and the exit of said pre-impregnated roving downstream. It is then said to be double pavilion.

[0115] It is specified that the bars (18) are either made of ceramic or of an equivalent coating, that is to say that they are either made of a coating with a low coefficient of friction, for example ceramic or “Teflon®”, or that they are mounted on bearings so that they can rotate freely on their axis and thus minimize friction.

[0116] It is specified that, thanks to the tack of the pre-impregnated rovings (17), it is possible to locally reinforce the shoulders (25) by extending the equatorial winding beyond the purely cylindrical part, descending as much as necessary in the dome area. We then obtain a half-crescent moon reinforcement of revolution (25) which extends the equatorial winding and descends along each dome towards the poles. This very local reinforcement makes it possible to save a large quantity of carbon composite, compared to the wet solution; we estimate this gain at 20%.

[0117] It is specified that, to optimize the tack of the matrix of the pre-impregnated rovings, it is advantageous to heat the said pre-impregnated rovings (17), by placing infrared radiators, or any equivalent device, known to those skilled in the art near the coils (3) and directing them towards the storage zone (3a) thereof.

[0118] It is specified that the adverbs preferentially, and optionally mean that one can preferably use a solution or that one can not use it while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0119] The applicant also wishes to point out that an illustrative figure represents an embodiment of the object according to the invention, but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of this invention.

[0120] It further specifies that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises “at least one” element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements.

[0121] It also specifies that, if the embodiments of the object, according to the invention, as illustrated comprise several elements of identical function and that if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily comprise a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising “at least one” of these elements.

[0122] It is specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines on its own, without any specific particular mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection requested, when technically possible, either separately or in total and / or partial combination.

[0123] He also specifies that the term substantially can mean that the property thus qualified can be understood either as being exactly or as almost defined. SYNTHESIS

[0124] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, the main body (1)(15) of said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the use of at least more than 2 cylindrical reels, for example 120 reels, or more (3), each equipped with a housing (3a) in which the pre-impregnated roving (17) is cut, the reels, of axis (12), are coaxial with the main axis (AS) of the main body of the machine (1)(15), said reels are placed regularly around said axis (AS), the liner, to be draped, is arranged along the axis (AS), in the center of said machine, finally a tube (16) placed around the liner, and also coaxial with the axis (AS), carries guide means (22), (23a), (23b), each guide means being assigned to a pre-impregnated roving (17) unique, each guide means, arranged radially relative to the tube (16), being constituted: either by a carrier barrel (22), at its two ends,of two single-flag eyelets (23a) and (23b), either being without a barrel (22), but being equipped with two single-flag eyelets (23a) and (23b), or being without a barrel (22), but being equipped with a double-flag eyelet, thus having an entry flag and an exit flag.

[0125] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the use of guide bars (18) placed between the coils (3) and the tube (16), said bars (18), with an axis parallel to the axis (AS), being either ceramic, or with a low friction coefficient coating, for example ceramic or “Teflon®” coating, or said bars (18) are mounted on bearings, giving them freedom of rotation on their axis.

[0126] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, the said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that the main body (1)(15) is made up of two parts, namely a fixed part (1) carrying the digital brake motors (13), each equipped with their coupling means (5) and a mobile part (15), carrying the axes (12), the tube (16) carrying guns type (22), (23a), (23b), the said mobile part (15) also carrying the centering pins (4), pins or equivalent means, allowing precise positioning of the mobile part (15) with respect to the fixed part (1).

[0127] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that the main body (1)(15) is arranged vertically on a rail (8b) which is aligned on the axis (AS) and is bordered, on each side, by the rails (8a) and (8c) parallel to the rail (8b), the rail (8b) carries two main liner-carrying carriages (6a) and (6b) arranged on each side of the main body (1)(15) of the machine, said carriages (6a) and (6b) are each equipped with mandrels (10a) and (10b) and digital motors (7a) and (7b) ensuring the rotation of the liner (2) along the axis (AS), and digital motors (9a) and (9b) ensuring the translation of said carriages (6a) and (6b) and therefore ensuring the translation of the liner (2).

[0128] Machine for the production, at very high speed, of high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the presence, on the rails (8a) and (8c), of two digitally motorized auxiliary carriages (27a) and (27b), said carriages are each equipped with motorized arms (26a) and (26b) intended to support the ends of the liners by their tools (24a) and (24b).

[0129] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that it is arranged to allow the substitution, without cutting the pre-impregnated rovings (17), of a finished draping liner (2), by a bare liner (2a), the coupling of the two liners (2) and (2a) being done, on the upstream side of the main body (1)(15), by means of their respective production tools (24b) and (24a), said production tools (24b) and (24a) being supported by the motorized arms (26b) and (26a) on the upstream side of the main body of the machine (1)(15).

[0130] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that it is arranged to allow the substitution, without cutting the pre-impregnated rovings (17), of a finished winding liner (2) by a bare liner (2a), the coupling of the two liners (2) and (2a) ending on the downstream side of the main body of the machine (1)(15), when the liner (2a) has received its first layer (29) of pre-impregnated rovings (17), over substantially its entire length, it is then possible to cut said rovings (17), as shown in [Fig. 13] and thus to uncouple the two liners without having to handle the pre-impregnated rovings (17).

[0131] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that the pre-impregnated rovings (17) pass preferentially from one liner (2) to the next (2a) through the intervals provided between the notches (30) on the periphery of their respective production tools (24b) and (24a), said production tools (24b) and (24a) being supported by the motorized arms (26a) and (26b).

[0132] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that to optimize the tack of the matrix of the pre-impregnated rovings (17), it is advantageous to heat said pre-impregnated rovings (17), by placing infrared radiants, or any equivalent device, near the coils (3) and directing said radians towards the storage zone (3a) thereof.

[0133] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, the said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that at each pole of the liners grooves (31a) and (31b) are provided, in which the pre-impregnated rovings (17), when they are at one pole, execute substantially a fraction of a turn before returning to the opposite pole.

[0134] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, the said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that the shoulder zone (25) is reinforced by extending the equatorial winding beyond the purely cylindrical part by descending, as much as necessary, into the dome zone, we then obtain a reinforcement, in the shape of a half crescent moon of revolution, (25), which extends the equatorial winding and therefore descends along each dome towards the poles.

[0135] Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, said machine is distinguished from its competitors by the fact that the coupling means (24c) of the production tools, liner holders, (24a) and (24b), comprising respectively a male part, on the (24a), and a female part, on the (24b), said coupling means (24c) is inspired by the mechanisms of bayonet bulb sockets or any equivalent means.

Claims

Claims

1. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, the main body (1)(15) of said machine is characterized by the use of at least more than 2 cylindrical reels, for example 120 reels, or more (3), each equipped with a housing (3a) in which the pre-impregnated roving (17) is cut, the reels, of axis (12), are coaxial with the main axis (AS) of the main body of the machine (1)(15), said reels are placed regularly around said axis (AS), a liner, to be draped, is arranged along the axis (AS), in the center of said machine, finally a tube (16) placed around the liner, and also coaxial with the axis (AS), carries guide means (22), (23a), (23b), each guide means being assigned to a single pre-impregnated roving (17), each guide means, arranged radially relative to the tube (16), consisting of: either a carrier barrel (22), at its two ends,of two single-flag eyelets (23a) and (23b), either being without a barrel (22), but being equipped with two single-flag eyelets (23a) and (23b), or being without a barrel (22), but being equipped with a double-flag eyelet, thus having an entry flag and an exit flag; the main body (1)(15) is arranged vertically on a rail (8b) which is aligned with the axis (AS) and is bordered, on each side, by the rails (8a) and (8c) parallel to the rail (8b), the rail (8b) carries two main liner-carrying carriages (6a) and (6b) arranged on each side of the main body (1) (15) of the machine, said carriages (6a) and (6b) are each equipped with mandrels (10a) and (10b) and digital motors (7a) and (7b) ensuring the rotation of the liner (2) along the axis (AS), and digital motors (9a) and (9b) ensuring the translation of said carriages (6a) and (6b) and therefore ensuring the translation of the liner (2).,

2. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, according to claim 1, characterized by the use of guide bars (18) placed between the coils (3) and the tube (16), said bars (18), with an axis parallel to the axis (AS), being either ceramic, or with a low friction coefficient coating, for example ceramic or “Teflon®” coating, or said bars (18) are mounted on bearings, giving them freedom of rotation on their axis.

3. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the main body (1)(15) is made up of two parts, namely a fixed part (1) carrying the digital brake motors (13), each equipped with their coupling means (5) and a mobile part (15), carrying the axes (12), the tube (16) carrying guns type (22), (23a), (23b), said mobile part (15) also carrying the centering pins (4), allowing precise positioning of the mobile part (15) with respect to the fixed part (1).

4. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by the presence, on the rails (8a) and (8c), of two digitally motorized auxiliary carriages (27a) and (27b), said carriages are each equipped with motorized arms (26a) and (26b) intended to support the ends of the liners by their tools (24a) and (24b) during the liner change phases.

5. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is arranged to allow the substitution, without cutting the pre-impregnated rovings (17), of a finished draping liner (2), by a bare liner (2a), the coupling of the two liners (2) and (2a) being done, on the upstream side of the main body (1) (15), by means of their respective production tools (24b) and (24a), said production tools (24b) and (24a) being supported by the motorized arms (26b) and (26a) on the upstream side of the main body of the machine (1) (15).

6. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is arranged to allow the substitution, without cutting the pre-impregnated rovings (17), of a finished winding liner (2) by a bare liner (2a), the coupling of the two liners (2) and (2a) ending on the downstream side of the main body of the machine (1)(15), when the liner (2a) has received its first layer (29) of pre-impregnated rovings (17), over substantially its entire length, it is then possible to cut said rovings (17), and thus to uncouple the two liners without having to handle the pre-impregnated rovings (17).

7. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pre-impregnated rovings (17) pass preferentially from one liner (2) to the next (2a) through the intervals provided between the notches (30) on the periphery of their respective production tools (24b) and (24a), said production tools (24b) and (24a) being supported by the motorized arms (26a) and (26b).

8. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that to optimize the tack of the matrix of the pre-impregnated rovings (17), it is advantageous to heat the said pre-impregnated rovings (17), by placing infrared radiants, close to the coils (3) and directing the said radians towards the storage zone (3a) thereof.

9. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at each pole of the liners grooves (31a) and (31b) are provided, in which the pre-impregnated rovings (17), when they are at one pole, perform substantially a fraction of a turn before returning to the opposite pole.

10. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the shoulder area (25) is reinforced by extending the equatorial winding beyond the purely cylindrical part by descending, as much as necessary, into the dome area, a reinforcement is then obtained, in the form of a half crescent moon of revolution, (25), which extends the equatorial winding and therefore descends along each dome towards the poles.

11. Machine for producing, at very high speed, high-pressure tanks with composite reinforcement according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the coupling means (24c) of the production tools, liner holders, (24a) and (24b), comprising respectively a male part, on the (24a), and a female part, on the (24b), said coupling means (24c) is inspired by the mechanisms of bayonet bulb sockets or any equivalent means.

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