Tape placement head for applying thermoplastic tape to an object
US7404868B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1795
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tape placement head for applying thermoplastic tape to an object includes a heated feeder which guides the tape/tow to a heated zone. The heated zone has a line compactor having a single row of at least one movable heated member. An area compactor is located in the heated zone downstream from the line compactor. The area compactor includes a plurality of rows of movable feet which are extendable toward the tape/tow different distances with respect to each other to conform to the shape of the object. A shim is located between the heated compactors and the tape/tow. A chilled compactor is in a chilled zone downstream from the heated zone. The chilled zone includes a line chilled compactor and an area chilled compactor. A chilled shim is mounted between the chilled compactor and the tape/tow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.