Induction Heating for Tape Laying Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tape laying devices in the aviation and aerospace industry face challenges in achieving rapid heating of tapes for adhesiveness, leading to suboptimal laying speeds due to surface-only heating by warm air streams.
Innovation Solution
A tape laying device with a stimulation arrangement that heats the tape directly and evenly throughout its thickness, using integrated stimulation units within the pressure roller or as a separate component, such as ultrasound or induction arrangements, to enhance adhesiveness at higher speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warm air stream heating is used to heat the tape surface, then the tape can be heated, but the heating speed is slow and laying speed cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical convection heating system (warm air stream) with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction arrangement generates eddy currents within the tape that produce heat directly inside the material, eliminating the slow surface-to-core heat transfer limitation of convection heating and enabling rapid heating at high laying speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes electromagnetic vibration/oscillation to induce eddy currents within the tape material. The alternating magnetic field from the induction arrangement creates vibrational electromagnetic forces that generate internal heat through resistive heating of the conductive matrix, achieving rapid and uniform heating throughout the tape thickness.
2Temperature
If surface heating is used, then heating can be achieved, but heating throughout the thickness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surface-level convection heating with internal induction heating that acts throughout the tape volume. The electromagnetic field penetrates the tape and generates heat uniformly across the thickness by inducing eddy currents in the conductive matrix, ensuring consistent temperature distribution and uniform adhesiveness throughout the bond line.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster heating and improved adhesiveness of the tape, allowing for higher laying speeds and better adhesion between tape layers during laminate construction.
Implementation Method 1
using integrated stimulation units within the pressure roller or as a separate component, such as ultrasound or induction arrangements
Implementation Method 2
using integrated stimulation units within the pressure roller or as a separate component, such as ultrasound or induction arrangements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention creates a tape laying device as well as a method for the construction of a laminate by means of a tape laying device, in particular in the field of aviation and aerospace. The tape laying device comprises a laying arrangement for laying tape for the construction of a laminate and a stimulation arrangement by means of which the tape which has to be laid can be stimulated directly and evenly over the thickness thereof so as to be heated. The idea the present invention is based on consists in that instead of the stimulation at the surface of the tape which has to be laid which is known to the Applicant a direct and evenly stimulation of the tape which has to be laid takes place, that means, a stimulation which acts substantially direct and evenly over the thickness of the tape which has to be laid on the tapes components. The heating achieved by this is much faster than by means of convection according to the known approach. Therefore, the desired tackiness of the tape which has to be laid can be achieved at the desired high laying velocity.