Method and apparatus for producing elongated articles from fiber-reinforced plastic material

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the temperature of said bundle interior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means is done by, positioning interior temperature measurement means in the interior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater means, and monitoring the signal from said interior temperature measurement means as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein the step of positioning interior temperature measurement means in the interior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater mreans is done by, inserting thermocouple wire in the bundle interior.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means is done by, positioning exterior temperature measurement means on the exterior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater means, and monitoring the signal from said exterior temperature measurement means as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein the step of positioning exterior temperature measurement means in the exterior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater means is done by, inserting thermocouple wire adjacent the exterior of said bundle.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying as required said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle includes the further steps of; comparing the temperature of said bundle interior to the temperature of said bundle exterior, and increasing said first amount of thermal energy relative to said second amount of thermal energy if the temperature of said bundle interior is less than said temperature of said bundle exterior.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 wherein the step of comparing the temperature of said bundle interior to the temperature of said bundle exterior further includes the step of; plotting the values of said bundle interior temperature and said bundle exterior temperature relative to the length of said exterior heater means.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 wherein the step of increasing said first amount of thermal energy relative to said second amount of thermal energy is done by increasing said first amount of thermal energy.

Claim 10

The method of claim 6 wherein the step of increasing said first amount of thermal energy relative to said second amount of thermal energy is done by decreasing said second amount of thermal energy.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 further including, prior to the step of heating the exterior of said bundle by supplying from said exterior heater means a second amount of thermal energy to the exterior of said bundle as said bundle is drawn through said exterior heater means, the step of: conditioning the exterior of said bundle to a preselected temperature.

Claim 12

Apparatus for use in fabricating pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: interior heater means for heating the interior of a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positioned within the interior of said bundle, exterior heater means for heating the exterior of said bundle by supplying a second amount of thermal energy to the exterior of said bundle as said bundle is drawn through said exterior heater means, said exterior heater means being positioned about the exterior of said bundle, means for measuring the temperature of said bundle interior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means. means for measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior as said bundle exterior passes through said exterior heater means, and means for varying said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle so as to maintain the temperature of said bundle interior at a value relative to the temperature of said bundle exterior.

Claim 13

Apparatus for use in fabricating pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: interior heater means for heating the interior of a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positioned within the interior of said bundle, exterior heater means for heating the exterior of said bundle by supplying a second amount of thermal energy to the exterior of said bundle as said bundle is drawn through said exterior heater means, said exterior heater means being positioned about the exterior of said bundle, means for measuring the temperature of said bundle interior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means. means for measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior as said bundle exterior passes through said exterior heater means, and means for varying said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle so as to maintain the temperature of said bundle interior at a value relative to the temperature of said bundle exterior.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said interior heater means further comprises; an interior heater having a portion positioned within the interior of said bundle to supply a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle, and interior heater support means operatively connected to said interior heater to support said portion of said interior heater within said bundle interior.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said interior heater means further includes; guide means positioned about the path of travel of said bundle to direct said bundle, said guide means including, a sheath, said sheath formed about said portion of said interior heater means positioned within the interior of said bundle, said sheath located a spaced distance away from said portion so as to place said bundle interior adjacent said portion.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said interior heater means further includes; temperature measurement means located within said portion of said interior heater means positioned within the interior of said bundle, to measure the temperature of the bundle interior.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 11 further including means for conditioning the exterior of said bundle to a preselected temperature prior to entrance of said bundle into said exterior heater means.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for conditioning the exterior of said bundle to a preselected temperature comprises; a fluid jacket defined about said bundle exterior, said fluid jacket having fluid of a preselected temperature flowing therethrough.

Claim 19

The Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for measuring the temperature of said bundle interior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means comprises; a thermocouple wire inserted in the interior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater means, and means for monitoring the signal from said thermocouple wire as the end of said thermocouple wire passes through said exterior heater means.

Claim 20

The Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior as said bundle passes through said exterior heater means comprises; a thermocouple wire inserted adjacent the exterior of said bundle prior to said bundle entering said exterior heater means, and means for monitoring the signal from said thermocouple wire as the end of said thermocouple wire passes through said exterior heater means.

Claim 21

The Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for varying said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle comprises; means for increasing said first amount of thermal energy relative to said second amount of thermal energy.

Claim 22

The Apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means for increasing said first amount of thermal energy relative to said second amount of thermal energy comprises; temperature controller means capable of controlling the amount of thermal energy supplied to said interior heater means and said exterior heater means.

Claim 23

Apparatus adapted to fabricate pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: interior heater means capable of heating the interior of a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positionable within the interior of the said bundle, exterior heater means capable of heating the exterior of said bundle by supplying a second amount of thermal energy to the exterior of said bundle when said bundle is drawn through said exterior heater means, said exterior heater means being positionable about the exterior of said bundle, means capable of measuring the temperature of said bundle interior when said bundle passes through said exterior heater means, means capable of measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior when said bundle exterior passes through said exterior heater means, and means capable of varying said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle so as to maintain the temperature of said bundle interior at a value relative to the temperature of said bundle exterior.

Claim 24

Apparatus adapted to fabricate pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: interior heater means capable of heating the interior of a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positionable within the interior of the said bundle, exterior heater means capable of heating the exterior of said bundle by supplying a second amount of thermal energy to the exterior of said bundle when said bundle is drawn through said exterior heater means, said exterior heater means being positionable about the exterior of said bundle, means capable of measuring the temperature of said bundle interior when said bundle passes through said exterior heater means, means capable of measuring the temperature of said bundle exterior when said bundle exterior passes through said exterior heater means, and means capable of varying said first amount of thermal energy and said second amount of thermal energy supplied to said bundle so as to maintain the temperature of said bundle interior at a value relative to the temperature of said bundle exterior.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 21 further including means capable of conditioning the exterior of said bundle to a preselected temperature prior to entrance of said bundle into said exterior heater means.

Claim 26

Apparatus for use in fabricating solid cross-section pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: means for feeding a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material, interior heater means for heating the interior of said bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positionable within the interior of said bundle; means to recombine said bundle in bonded relationship to produce said solid cross-section composite.

Claim 27

Apparatus for use in fabricating solid cross-section pultrusions, said apparatus comprising: means for feeding a bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material, interior heater means for heating the interior of said bundle of resin-wetted reinforcing material by supplying a first amount of thermal energy to the interior of said bundle as said bundle interior is drawn about said interior heater means, a portion of said interior heater means being positionable within the interior of said bundle; means to recombine said bundle in bonded relationship to produce said solid cross-section composite.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 23 further including means for conditioning the exterior of said bundle to a preselected temperature prior to entrance of said bundle into said exterior heater means.

Claim 31

The method of claim 25 further including the step of conditioning the temperature of said bundle exterior to a preselected temperature prior to entrance of said bundle into said exterior heater means.