Patent ID: 7939001
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A method of producing fibre composite mouldings in the form of an oblong shell member by means of vacuum infusion, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fiber material into an oblong shell member mould cavity including an inlet channel communicating with the mould cavity, and a vacuum channel communicating with the mould cavity; connecting a first single switchable valve member to a liquid polymer source via a first injection line through which a liquid polymer from the liquid polymer source communicates with the inlet channel, and to a vacuum source via a first vacuum line through which a negative pressure from the vacuum source is applied on the inlet channel, wherein the first injection line is separated from the first vacuum line by the first valve member; connecting a second single switchable valve member to the liquid polymer source via a second injection line through which the liquid polymer from the liquid polymer source communicates with the vacuum channel, and to the vacuum source via a second vacuum line through which the negative pressure from the vacuum source is applied on the vacuum channel, wherein the second injection line is separated from the second vacuum line by the second valve member; connecting the inlet channel to the first single switchable valve member; connecting the vacuum channel to the second single switchable valve member; generating the negative pressure in the mould cavity by applying the negative pressure from the vacuum source on the vacuum channel; drawing the liquid polymer from the liquid polymer source into the mould cavity via the inlet channel; and generating a liquid polymer flow front from the inlet channel toward the vacuum channel, wherein: the channel and the vacuum channel are oblong and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shell member, the inlet channel is connected to the first single switchable valve member that is switchable between a first switching mode and a second switching mode, wherein in the first switching mode the first valve member interrupts the first vacuum line and opens the first injection line, and in the second switching mode the first valve member interrupts the first injection line and opens the first vacuum line, the one vacuum channel is connected to the second single switchable valve member that is switchable between a third switching mode and a fourth switching mode, wherein in the third switching mode the second valve member interrupts the second vacuum line and opens the second injection line, and in the fourth switching mode the second valve member interrupts the second injection line and opens the second vacuum line, and the third switching mode is implemented by the second single switchable valve member when the flow front from the inlet channel reaches the vacuum channel.