Patent ID: 7153124
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: B29C,B29K,F24F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for preforming a thermoplastic member to form a preform generally corresponding to a desired configuration of a thermoplastic duct defining a passage, the apparatus comprising: a support structure comprising two partial hollow tubes, each tube rotatably adjustable between said first and second positions, the tubes extending longitudinally and at least partially defining a cavity; an elongate member having an outer surface corresponding to the desired configuration of the duct said elongate member extending longitudinally in the cavity defined by said support structure such that the thermoplastic member can be supported between said support structure and said elongate member; and a heater configured to heat the thermoplastic member to a processing temperature; and a consolidation joining head comprising an elastomeric block and a heater, wherein the tubes define an interior surface corresponding to the outer surface of said elongate member such that said support structure is configured to adjust from a first position in which said support structure is configured to support the thermoplastic member in a flat configuration to a second position in which said support structure is adjusted radially inward and thereby bends the thermoplastic member against the elongate member to the desired configuration of the duct, and wherein the consolidation joining head is configured to adjust radially against an interface formed by overlapping edges of the thermoplastic member and hear the interface of the thermoplastic member to above a glass transition temperature to thereby consolidation join the edges.