Internal Spreader Wings for Polygonal Liner Filament Winding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining the shape of non-circular cross section cylinders, such as square or rectangular cylinders, during filament winding with composite materials is challenging due to uneven force distribution, leading to potential deformation and structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A spreader device with vertically extending wings supported by articulated connecting rods, actuated by a threaded bar, is inserted into the liner to maintain the shape by contacting the inner surface and counteracting deformation forces during winding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plastic liner is used in non-circular cross section cylinders during composite material winding, then the liner provides structural support and containment, but the liner collapses and loses its non-circular shape under vacuum pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader device is installed inside the plastic liner before the composite material winding process begins. This preliminary placement allows the spreader to maintain the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the liner throughout the vacuum bagging and composite winding operations, preventing collapse during the process
2Device complexity
If the plastic liner is allowed to collapse during winding, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of the composite part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader device utilizes a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can conform to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the cylinder. This flexible shell maintains the required geometry of the liner without requiring complex rigid structural support, thus preserving manufacturing precision while keeping the device relatively simple
3Productivity
If the liner shape is not maintained, then the winding process can proceed without additional components, but the final composite part geometry becomes distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader device acts as an intermediary element between the plastic liner and the composite material being wound. It mediates the vacuum pressure and winding forces by providing internal structural support that maintains the non-circular shape, ensuring the final composite part achieves the correct geometry without disrupting the winding process efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
A spreader device specifically designed for manufacturing cylinders having a polygonal cross-section through filament winding technology, wherein a reinforcing fiber of composite material is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a plastic liner having a polygonal cross section, said liner having vertical sides joined by rounded vertices, a bottom wall, and an upper wall provided with an opening, said spreader device comprising a bar axially arranged in said liner, connected to a plurality of members which can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the liner to support it and maintain the shape thereof during the filament winding, wherein said members are vertically extending wings, parallel to the axis of the bar and having a length substantially equal to the length of said vertical sides of the liner, in a number corresponding to said vertices, actuated by articulated connecting rods movable in opposite directions along said bar and rotatable in opposite directions, for bringing said wings from a position of closure adjacent to said bar to a position of opening in contact with said vertices of said liner.