Patent EP-0747204-A2 (EP)
Inventor: KUSIBAB ZBIGNIEW
IPC: B29C70/52
Filed: 1996-06-07
Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for producing a pultruded part (12) having a cross-sectional shape with a non-linear portion. The system (10) comprises a mechanism (14) for pultruding reinforcement, such as rovings (16), mat, veil, and mineral or glass fibers, but not limited thereto. The system comprises a mechanism for injecting resin mixture (20) into reinforcement. The injecting mechanism (18) comprises a chamber (22) through which the reinforcement is pulled by the pultrusion mechanism (14). The chamber (22) has an entrance opening (21) in communication with the chamber through which reinforcement enters the chamber and an exit opening (26) in communication with the chamber through which reinforcement exits the chamber, the entrance opening having a shape with a non-linear portion (17) that conforms with the reinforcement cross section. The chamber has a tapered portion (28) with a taper less than or equal to 1.5° which accents the impregnation of reinforcement with resin mixture and increases resin mixture pressure as the tapered portion narrows. The tapered portion is wider near the entrance opening than the exit opening. The injection mechanism (18) comprises a resin mixture distribution network (30) in communication with the chamber (22) through which resin mixture (20) is introduced into the chamber. The injection mechanism is disposed adjacent to and in engagement with the pultruding mechanism (14) so the pultrusion mechanism can pull the reinforcement through the chamber. Additionally, the system comprises a mechanism (42) for providing reinforcement formed into a desired cross section having a shape with a non-linear portion to the chamber through the entrance opening. The providing mechanism (32) is disposed adjacent to and in engagement with the injection mechanism (18) so reinforcement from the providing mechanism can enter the entrance opening of the injection mechanism. The system comprises a mechanism (44) for making the resin mixture (20) that has been combined with reinforcement (16) in the injection mechanism (18) into a ladder part (12). The making mechanism (34) is disposed adjacent to and in engagement with the injecting mechanism (18) to receive reinforcement with resin mixture from the injecting mechanism and disposed adjacent to and in engagement with the pultruding mechanism (14) so the reinforcement can be pulled through the making mechanism (34) by the pultruding mechanism. The present invention pertains to a system for producing a pultruded part having structural integrity. The present invention pertains to the injecting mechanism. The present invention pertains to a first carding plate (42). The first carding plate for controlling placement of reinforcement for resin mixture injection comprises a plate having a series of holes (44) which do not overlap and carding slots (116) through which rovings and mat, respectively, extend. The pre-wet assembly (50) preferably comprises a pre-wet housing (98) having a pre-wet chamber (99) into which resin mixture is introduced. The pre-wet housing also has a slot (100) through which reinforcement passes. The slot is connected to the pre-wet chamber so resin mixture in the pre-wet chamber can contact reinforcement in the slot. The slot has a slot entrance (102) and a slot exit (104) through which the reinforcement enters and exits the slot, respectively. The present invention pertains to a method for producing pultruded parts.