Forming the end portions of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite tubes
US8801994B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2023/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming at least one external annular flange (48 or 49) adjacent one end of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic tube (10) in which the tube (10) is mounted on a mandrel (12) and a first end portion of the tube is clamped in a collar (13) having at least one internal annular cavity (18 or 19) for forming a flange, a second end portion of the tube in the region (R1, R2) of the cavity is heated to soften the thermoplastic, and an axial load (L) is applied to the end of the tube by a piston (24) causing the softened tube to flow into the cavity (18, 19) in the collar (13) to form a flange on the tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.