Radial Shim Guiding Device for Composite Winding Flange Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of manufacturing composite material gas turbine casings faces challenges in maintaining the fibrous preform during winding on the impregnation mandrel, particularly in keeping the lateral portions of the fibrous texture in a vertical position, leading to defects due to local excess or loss of thickness at the future flanges.
Innovation Solution
A guiding device with radial wedges and adjustment means is used to maintain the position of the fibrous texture against the impregnation mandrel flanges, preventing sagging and ensuring proper coverage without human intervention, allowing for automated and precise control of the winding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual monitoring and adjustment of flange position is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but labor intensity and risk of human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device enables the system to automatically maintain flange position during winding without human intervention. The radial wedges self-adjust to keep the fibrous texture flanges in correct contact with the mandrel flanges throughout the winding process, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and adjustment while ensuring consistent positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the winding system and the fibrous texture flanges. It mediates the positioning by using radial wedges that contact and guide the flanges, ensuring they maintain proper contact with the mandrel flanges during the winding process without requiring direct human intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If radial wedges are positioned close to mandrel flanges, then flange positioning control is improved, but mandrel rotation may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device applies control forces locally at specific points where the radial wedges contact the fibrous texture flanges, rather than applying forces across the entire mandrel surface. This localized control maintains flange positioning accuracy while minimizing interference with the overall rotation of the mandrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial wedges apply just enough controlling force to maintain proper flange positioning without excessive force that would block rotation. The device uses partial action - sufficient guidance force to control position but limited enough to allow continuous mandrel rotation during winding.
3Reliability
If automated guiding device is implemented, then production quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device is segmented into multiple independent radial wedges that can be positioned and adjusted separately. Each wedge handles a specific flange positioning task, allowing the complex function of automated guidance to be divided into simpler, manageable components that can be independently controlled and maintained.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100, 100', 100") for guiding a fibrous structure (18) onto an impregnation mandrel (16, 16', 16") of a winding machine (10), comprising: a first radial shim (102a) intended to be positioned facing a first flange (26a) of the impregnation mandrel (16, 16', 16"), a second radial shim (102b) intended to be positioned facing a second flange (26b) of the impregnation mandrel (16, 16', 16"), and a frame (104) for supporting the first (102a) and second (102b) shims, said frame (104) comprising means (106) for adjusting the position of the first (102a) and second (102b) shims, which can position the first shim (102a) and the second shim (102b) at a distance from the first (26a) and second (26b) flanges respectively of the impregnation mandrel (16, 16', 16"), such as to maintain a first portion (180a) of fibrous structure (18) that extends along the first flange (26a) and a second portion (180b) of fibrous structure (18) that extends along the second flange (26b) bearing against the respective flanges, without obstructing the rotation of the impregnation mandrel (16, 16', 16").