Abstract: A frame, a drive mechanism for rotating a mandrel, at least two spindles mounted to the frame, a tensioner, and a belt extending between the first and second spindles may be used to roll pre-preg strips or similar sheets of composite materials around the mandrel. The belt travels over the spindles, and the spindles guide the belt through changes in its direction of travel. The mandrel is mounted in the drive mechanism in contact with the belt, which changes its direction of travel around the mandrel. The lower surface of the belt bears against upper portions of the spindles, and the mandrel contacts the upper surface of the belt. As the drive mechanism rotates the mandrel, pre-preg sheets are fed between the mandrel and the belt and are thereby wrapped around the mandrel. The belt presses the pre-preg sheets against the mandrel. The wrapped mandrel may then be removed from the apparatus and cured in any suitable manner known in the art to produce a composite tubular article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for manufacturing a body to be reinforced with a fiber-composite material, especially bottles or containers or metal or plastic for holding a pressurized gaseous medium, in which a plurality of light, high-strength inorganic or organic, non-conductive or conductive as well as non-metallic yarns are wrapped around the body, whereby individual fiber strands or fibers are unwound and are bundled and, prior to being wound on the body, are impregnated with a plastic material. The wrapping of the yarns is carried out with controllable, pre-tensioned yarns. During wrapping, the individual yarns are again impregnated with a polymer melt of thermoplastic and each individual wrapping layer is smoothed and/or cooled by a temperature-controlled roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for manufacturing parts made from resin and reinforcing fibers by winding. Molding means including a plurality of female forms corresponding each to a print of the part to be manufactured are produced. The forms are arranged one after the other, substantially helically, so as to make a continuous groove, then said groove is filled by winding with fibers coated with a polymerizable resin by rotating the prints round the axis of the helix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a welding method in the manufacture of a spirally wound tube having a thermoplastic profile (1) of a mainly rectangular cross-section. A hole profile (1) is wound in a screw line form manner on a welding drum (2) simultaneously as profile surfaces (1a, 1b), which are to be welded together are heated with hot air to a desired temperature, whereafter a welding mass (S) is extruded onto the heated profile surfaces (1a, 1b) in two streams along each edge of the profile surface (1a, 1b) and the welding mass coated hole profile portions are pressed together by means of a press roller (10). The invention is characterized in that the welding is performed with a welding head (3) coupled to an extruder and provided with a welding keel (4), which from the outside is inserted between two profile surfaces (1a, 1b) to be welded together. Hot air (L.sub.1, L.sub.

Abstract: A single-ply wound paperboard tube is disclosed as is its forming method. The method comprises applying an adhesive to a paperboard ply having relatively thin longitudinal edges and a relatively thick central portion therebetween, then spirally winding the ply about a mandrel in edge-overlapping relation. Preferably, the thinned edges and the thick central portion of the ply share a common face, and the ply is preferably steam-conditioned to raise its temperature and its moisture content prior to the application of the adhesive.

Abstract: A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5.degree. C. below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100.degree. C. above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a hollow main tube and two annular sleeves, wherein an inner diameter of the two annular sleeves is larger than an outer diameter of the two main tube ends. The two annular sleeves are sleeved respectively on the two main tube ends, which can be easily disengaged from the mandrel assembly when applied with an external force.

Abstract: A portable taping machine for wrapping an elongated article with continuous strip material includes a housing adapted to be gripped by an operator and defines an internal cavity for receiving the article and a passageway communicating with the internal cavity. A taping head including a C-shaped drive wheel with integral gear teeth formed around its periphery is mounted on the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis which extends through the internal cavity. The drive wheel has a peripheral discontinuity for lateral reception of the article into the internal cavity when the peripheral discontinuity is coextensive with the passageway. When the peripheral discontinuity is substantially non-coextensive with the passageway in the housing, entry of the elongated article into the internal cavity or egress from the internal cavity are prevented. A spindle on the taping head removably supports a supply roll of the strip material on an axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the internal cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a coil pack of a fiber such as an optical fiber winds the fiber as a radial coil, and then joins the coil axially to previously wound coils. Each radial coil is wound on a flexible flange that is deformable from a first tapered shape which facilitates the winding against the flange, to a second shape wherein the coil wound thereon conforms to the shape of the last coil affixed to the fiber pack. The flexible flange is preferably made of an elastomer, and its shape change is readily accomplished by an articulated series of nesting cylinders. The apparatus further includes a fiber winding head that winds the fiber onto the flexible flange, and an adhesive applicator head that applies adhesive between succeeding coils of fiber as they are joined to the coil pack.

Abstract: A direct wind coil winding head assembly for depositing coil windings directly onto a coil support mandrel, comprising wire feed means having an input and an output, the wire feed means adapted to receive a continuous length of wire at the input and to cause the wire to exit the output at a first rate, mandrel positioning means for dynamically positioning the coil support mandrel beneath the output and control means coupled to the wire feed means and the mandrel positioning means, the control means operable to cause the mandrel positioning means to dynamically position the coil support mandrel beneath the output such that the exiting wire is deposited onto the mandrel in a predetermined pattern, and further operable to control the wire feed means such that the first rate is substantially equal to a second rate of movement of the coil support mandrel relative to the output, whereby the wire is deposited onto the coil support mandrel with substantially no residual winding stresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a reinforcement for a composite component, said reinforcement including superposed plies of thread, according to which method:straight portions of thread are laid down on a support; andall the superposed plies are consolidated by stitching, without knotting, a continuous thread.According to the invention:said straight portions of thread (4, 5) are laid down by means of a needle, with respect to which the continuous thread (F), of which each of said portions forms part, can slide, said needle being capable of moving relative to said support (6), pulling tight the straight portion of thread (4, 5) above the latter, over an extent equal to the length of said straight portion of thread; andsaid straight portions of thread (4, 5) are fixed by stitching, without knotting, at least one of the ends (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of each of said portions of thread into said support (6) using said needle.

Abstract: The device consists of a placing head whose wire drive roller and placing wheel are interconnected by an intermediate gear which may be retracted so as to disconnect them, said placing head being translation-mobile with respect to the distributing machine/head interface, complementary means providing a variable pressure of the placing head on the shape. Application for wire placing so as to form a complex structural piece.

Abstract: A threadlike or ribbonlike elastic strand is provided with a substantially continuous filament of adhesive helically wrapped around the elastic strand. The elastic strand is suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as diapers and adult incontinent products. Also disclosed is a method and, apparatus for making such adhesive-wrapped elastic strands.

Abstract: A repair of a hollow tubular member adapted to contain a fluid under pressure, is performed by securing to the hollow tubular member to be repaired one end of a flexible tape consisting of continuous longitudinal fibers that occupy from 30-60% of the cross section of the tape, the fibers being encased in a thermoplastic matrix, the elastic limit of the material of the fibers being greater than the elastic limit of the material of the tubular member. The tape is caused to revolve around the tubular member while displacing the tape axially along the tubular member in order to wind the tape around the tubular member in a helix. The tape is heated immediately prior to its application to the tubular member and is cooled immediately following its application to the tubular member.

Abstract: A method of making a filament wound flat stock member and the filament wound flat stock member made by that method. A low fraction bearing surface is formed on a support having a flat surface by placing a self-lubricating material on the flat surface. A matrix is formed upon the self-lubricating material by winding thereon a resin-impregnated filamentous material. The winding is continued until a desired outer matrix dimension is obtained and the resin is cured to bond the materials together into a hardened stock member. The hardened stock member is removed from the flat of the support to provide a filament wound flat stock member having an exposed bearing surface of the self-lubricating material.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for helically winding pipes from tube forming plastics strip comprising a single fixed rigid loop formed from a length of metal band, wherein the inner surface of the loop forms a spiral path along which the strip is directed when helically wound, strip guide means for guiding the strip into the path of the loop, and driven roller means for driving the strip around the spiral path and for joining together adjacent edges of adjacent convolutions of the strip, whereby during the helical winding process, the strip is driven around the spiral path in frictional engagement with the loop inner surface, maintaining intimate contact therewith, to thereby form the pipe.

Abstract: A universal pin ring for use in securing filament in a stationary position with respect to a mandrel during a filament winding process is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the universal pin ring has two rows of pins along its length. The pins of the first row are adapted to serve as anchor pins to secure filament in a stationary position with respect to a mandrel. The pins of the second row are adapted to serve as guide pins to cause filament to quickly conform to the contour of a mandrel after turning of the filament during filament winding, thereby minimizing the size of the turnaround area. In some applications, both rows of pins would serve to anchor filament. In other applications the guide pins serve both to guide filament and to anchor filament that has slipped from an anchor pin. Reinforcing ribs and flex grooves on the universal pin ring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control architecture involves two control loops, one for controlling heat input to a moving composite structure and the other controlling the speed of the structure to control quality of the product being formed. Since velocity and heat input affect the temperature of the composite there is cross coupling between the control loops so that either or both can be used to control the temperature. Preferably the invention uses the velocity or speed of the composite as the primary control, i.e., the controller automatically seeks the proper laydown velocity for the current heat input. If the energy source is not providing sufficient heat, the process slows down until the proper temperature is reached. This ensures that the composite material passing through the process is always at the proper temperature.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a prestressed composite which comprises steps of applying matrix material to the fibers, selectively tensioning the fibers, winding the fibers on an adjustable mandrel and curing the matrix material with the fibers under tension.

Abstract: A payguide mounting bracket assembly is connected to a support stand, and a spool is connected to the payguide mounting bracket assembly to have a fiber optic coil formed thereon. A pair of payguide assemblies are demountably coupled to the payguide mounting bracket assembly. A robotic manipulator assembly is configured to decouple a selected one of the first and second payguide assemblies from the payguide mounting bracket assembly and move the selected payguide assembly to a location adjacent the spool such that a layer of optical fiber is paid out to the spool from the selected payguide assembly as the spool and payguide mounting bracket assembly rotate relative to the selected payguide assembly. The invention also preferably comprises further comprises an epoxy applicator assembly configured to be demountably coupled to the robotic manipulator assembly for movement to a location adjacent the coil for applying epoxy to the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a narrow belt-shaped member in zigzag around a drum. The apparatus includes a support base, and a reciprocative motion device for reciprocatively moving the support base substantially along an axis of the drum between both ends of a predetermined region to maintain the distance between the drum and the support base at a constant value. The apparatus further includes a rocking base supported by the support base rockably about a rocking axis which is a normal to the outer surface of the drum, a rocking device for rocking the rocking base, and an attaching roller supported on the rocking base rotatably about an axis substantially in parallel with the axis of the drum for urging and attaching the supplied belt-shaped member to the drum after being wound partially around the attaching roller.

Abstract: The laying of pieces 40 of cord 4 is assured by a laying tube 30 which receives the cord by placing its inlet facing the outlet of a cord distributor, the knife 85 of which cuts the cord just upstream of the laying tube 30. At the end of the laying tube 30 there is disposed a laying head 32 which is displaced transversely along the support 1 on which the reinforcement is built. The angle of laying of the cord is adjusted by judiciously coordinating the transverse speed of displacement of the head 32 and the speed of rotation of the support 1.

Abstract: In-line application of liquid adhesive to an optical fiber (10) while it is being wound onto a drum (14) is accomplished by a tube (58) interconnected with a pressurized adhesive source of supply (70). An end (60) of the tube provides adhesive in a beadlike strip which wets the drum or underlying winding layer just under the fiber lower surface before it is laid down onto the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a belt-like member and a method of feeding a belt-like member for helically winding a belt-like member of a small width around an outer periphery of a rotating body which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and whose radius from the axis of rotation to the outer periphery thereof changes in correspondence with an axial position. A holding device is capable of holding a starting end of the belt-like member from both obverse and reverse surface sides thereof and of pressure-fitting the starting end of the belt-like member onto the rotating body. A feeding device moves the starting end of the belt-like member from a holding position where the belt-like member is held to the rotating body by moving the holding device, so as to feed the belt-like member to the rotating body.

Abstract: A programmable filament winding apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a rotatable mandrel having a center rotational axis, a traverse axially movable relative to the mandrel, a filament supply, a drive associated with the traverse for movably positioning the traverse, and a winder drive unit for rotating the mandrel. In order to obtain computer control of the apparatus, a first encoder for producing a signal corresponding to rotation of the mandrel, a second encoder associated with the traverse for producing a signal corresponding to a position of the traverse as it moves along the traverse drive axial to the mandrel, and a computer including a microprocessor for receiving and processing signals from the first and second encoders and for controlling the traverse drive and rotation of the mandrel is provided. For manual control, a control panel in communication with the computer for controlling the traverse drive and rotation of the mandrel is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping flexible elongate objects has a wrapping wheel arranged coaxially to a longitudinal axis of the objects and having a tape spool support movable therewith, drive mechanism with a roller drive for advancing the objects and arranged at one side of the wrapping wheel, and an electric program control for controlling a drive length by set point/control point comparison. The drive mechanism also includes a carriage movable parallel to an axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the objects, and includes a holding device on the wrapping wheel side for holding an end of an object for pulling the object through the wrapping wheel. The drive mechanism also includes two vertically displaceable rolls which for a start of the wrapping are positioned relative to one another so far that the holding device is movable between the rolls to the wrapping wheels.

Abstract: A method for fabricating, and a resulting structure for, a seamless, reusable and collapsible mandrel suitable for forming a plurality of seamless and hollow fiber wound vessels upon is disclosed. A destructible mandrel is used to form the seamless reusable mandrel. The destructible mandrel is preferably formed from a material which can be destroyed by dissolving, for example, materials such as foam or plaster. The seamless, collapsible, and reusable mandrel includes a plurality of different layers including a gas impermeable layer, a continuous fiber wound layer, and a release surface forming the outermost layer of the seamless, collapsible, and reusable mandrel. The resulting seamless, reusable and collapsible mandrel has advantages over mandrels which include a seam. Such advantages include a longer useful life and consistently high quality fiber wound vessels at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: A taping machine particularly suited to the taping of an electrical cable splice includes a planar base, a traveling tape dispenser, and supports for the cable. The tape dispenser is of split construction to accommodate being assembled on site to surround the cable. During a taping operation the tape dispenser, powered by a motor, rotates around the cable. Travel along the cable is powered by a separate motor. Speeds of both motors are independently adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a filament wound tube (4) from a mandrel (1) utilizing a removable fiber (2) covered with a wrap (3). After a tube is filament wound, the removable fiber (2) is pulled out from beneath the wrap (3) to create a plane of slippage between the mandrel (1) and tube (4) to provide for easy removal.

Abstract: A delivery head is adapted for use in a fiber placement system for laying a plurality of tows, forming a band, onto a mandrel to form an irregular shaped object. The delivery head has cut and add sections and includes a plurality of pathways for guiding a respective plurality of tows from an inlet to an outlet of the delivery head. The cut and add section is provided in the form of a module which includes apparatus for selectively actuating any of a plurality of cutting elements and for selectively actuating any of a plurality of advancing devices for advancing respective ones of the tows toward the outlet of the delivery head.

Abstract: The equipment (1) comprises a die (2) having a section of varying sizes and corresponding to the longitudinal and sequential lengths of a tapering pole to be manufactured, a former (3) substantially corresponding to the longitudinal cavity of the tapering pole, drive means (4) for moving the former (3) in a longitudinal direction through the die (2) and devices (6) for winding fiber materials on the former (3) and impregnating said materials with resins, said devices being disposed upstream of the die (2) of variable section.

Abstract: Redirect rollers are fitted with non-rotating upstanding fins to provide enhanced guidance for spaced tows which wrap the rollers.

Abstract: A method for filament winding a pressure vessel having at both end domes thereof holes of different diameters and preferably used for a high pressure combustor of a rocket engine. The present method comprises first and second winding processes. In the first process, the first mandrel on which the winding band is wound is provided with a jig which makes the outer diameters of the opposite bosses of the mandrel be equal to each other and is removed after hardening process. In the second process, the winding band is again wound on the second mandrel comprising a first body obtained from the first process and provided with a jig which makes the outer diameters of the opposite bosses of the second mandrel be equal to each other and is removed after hardening process.

Abstract: A method for continuous processing/in-situ consolidation and curing of thermoset resin impregnated fiber tow into a composite product having minimal porosity and being relatively void free. The method provides for preconditioning a fiber, impregnating a continuous fiber tow with a low viscosity thermoset resin to complete saturation and then simultaneously outgassing and advancing the resin impregnated tow. The preconditioned tow is then applied to a substrate such as a heated rotating mandrel in a filament winding procedure where heat is applied to the nip of the touch-down of the tow to the mandrel with the simultaneous application of pressure for initial consolidation of the tow upon the substrate. Additional pressure and heat are applied to the tow as the mandrel is rotated to provide for advancing the stage of the resin and further consolidation of the material.

Abstract: A rigid mandrel has a plurality of elongated sector pieces arranged in an edge-to-edge relationship to provide a peripheral wall for forming a hollow shell. One or more bladders are inflated within the peripheral wall by a pressurized fluid and edge portions of the sector pieces are configured to interlockingly engage corresponding edge portions of adjacent sector pieces when the bladder is in its fully inflated condition to form connecting joints which retain the sector pieces in a substantially rigid predetermined configuration corresponding to the peripheral wall. The connecting joints permit the sector pieces to be separated when the bladder is in a deflated condition, and a mandrel member provides an opening for removing the separated sector pieces from an interior chamber of the shell after the forming thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filament-wound tubes or shafts includes drywinding a plurality of elongate mandrels with the filament, inserting the filament wound mandrels into respective elongate hollow molds of a mold complex, and injecting resin such as epoxy resin under pressure into the hollow molds into intimate contact with the filament. Heat is then supplied to the mold complex to heat the resin to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined period of time to cure the resin and thereby form the tubes or shafts. The mandrels and tube or shafts are removed from the hollow molds and then the mandrels are removed from the tubes or shafts. Many of these activities are carried out in parallel to increase the manufacturing throughput of the tubes or shafts.

Abstract: A method for constructing an inflatable elastomer mandrel for use in fabricating composite articles is provided.

Abstract: Winding of multiple tows upon a mandrel to form a desired article, such as a tube, is assisted by passing the multiple tows in contact with an exterior surface of a guide which is heated during the winding operation. The guide includes a first guide portion and a also a second guide portion having longitudinal axes which define an angle with respect to each other. The guide is positioned so that either guide portion is capable of receiving the tows so as to contact the exterior surface of the guide before being wound upon the mandrel. Employing the heated guide in accordance with the invention has been found to assist in aligning and at least partially consolidating the tows in a side-by-side relationship for delivery to the mandrel.

Abstract: The inner surface affixation system and process is a method for affixing wound optical fibers on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. It is useful, for example, in the manufacture of rigid mandrel-based fiber optic sensors. The optical fibers of a sensor wound on the inner surface are less susceptible to damage than are optical fibers wound on the outside of the mandrel.The process requires that the fibers be supported on a cylinder, which is coated with an adhesive and placed within the sensor mandrel cylinder, at which time the circumference of the supporting cylinder is expanded, causing the fibers to engage the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder. The adhesive is then cured, holding the fibers in place on the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder while the supporting cylinder is contracted and removed from the sensor mandrel cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filament winding apparatus comprising a winding mechanism having a pair of arms for winding traversed filamentary yarns impregnated with a resin onto a plurality of mandrels, respectively, and a mandrel retaining mechanism having mandrel receiving portions by a number of at least two times of the number of the mandrels to be set on the arms of the winding mechanism. The arms are swung between a winding position and a mandrel exchange position of the mandrel retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism is a little moved when the mandrels are exchanged. A plurality of mandrels can be easily and efficiently exchanged at the same time without a particular device. The number of the mandrels for simultaneous filament winding can be increased and a high productivity can be obtained. Further, this apparatus can be realized at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: A method and tool for fabricating composite shafts with at least one flared end. The tool includes a specially adapted end fitting for each flared end which define the angle and direction of flaring. The end fitting includes structure for conforming/compacting the composite material at the flared ends either during and/or after the composite build-up is completed and during cure. The conforming/compacting insures that the external surfaces of the flared ends achieve dimentional control and a machined like quality without the necessity of machining.

Abstract: To maintain tension on a fiber tow as it travels between a spool of the tow and a fiber placement head in a computer controlled fiber placement machine, closed tension loop servo control tow velocity feed forward is provided to control spool rotation so as to not only provide closed loop tension control but to also cause rotation in anticipation of expected tow movement such as due to tow payout upon commanded movements of the fiber placement head. Gain scheduling based on spool radius is also provided. Additionally, a compliant roller is provided to reduce tension dips and spikes from disturbances on the tow, and an inner velocity loop is included with the closed tension loop to provide more effective control of tow tension. The servo control is reconfigurable into an open or pseudo-closed loop mode with a safety low power supply to slowly reel-up slack tow after tow threading, for example, and to otherwise maintain low tension on the tow to hold it in the machine while allowing servicing thereof.

Abstract: The rubber products forming a part of the structure of a tire are laid onto a rigid core by means of a volumetric extruder having an outlet orifice of small size positioned close to the surface on which the rubber is to be applied. The rubber products are built up by a meridian displacement of the orifice relative to the receiving surface with the extrusion of a controlled volume of rubber.

Abstract: In the apparatus of this invention a plurality of cylindrical matrices 2 are used to form tubular sleeves of elastomeric material to be later cured and cut into short segments to be used as belts, usually toothed belts. A coiling station 8 places a reinforcing fiber helically around the entire length of the sleeve. The matrix having the coils is then turned to a vertical position by a transfer member 28 and transferred, by means of an adjacent rotating platform 6 to a winding station 9 for application of a sheet of elastomeric material over the thread. The matrix having the completed but uncured sleeve is then placed back on the rotating platform. The coiling station and the winding station each have a tilting member 34 or 43 with two pairs of arms 39 or 52 so that while a completed matrix is swung out of the working position, a fresh matrix is swung into position.

Abstract: A filter support tube manufacturing apparatus and method employing operative steps of drawing wire from a reel, and moving the wire, first, through a heater for heating the wire, second, through a fluidized bed for coating the wire with a corrosion resistant material which also serves as a bonding agent and, third, through a second heater. Then, the heated and coated wire is wound onto a rotating mandrel which holds straight plastic reinforcing strips about which the wire is wound. Once winding of the wire is completed and the wire is embedded in the plastic reinforcing strips, the wound wire is cut manually and removed from the mandrel. A new end of the wire extending from the reel is inserted in the mandrel and a new set of plastic strips are installed on the mandrel. Finally, the steps are repeated to make additional filter support tubes.

Abstract: A ribbonizing apparatus and method for forming a fiber band from a plurality of fiber tows extending along respective fiber tow pathways. The ribbonizing apparatus includes an assembly for selectively heating at least a respective one of the plurality of fiber tows as the fiber tow extends along the fiber pathways. When not needed, the heat is removed from the fiber tow. A plurality of embodiments for accomplishing the method are contemplated.

Abstract: Reinforced composite tubes having integral tapered ends are formed on mandrels which are tapered at each end. Reinforcement fabric is first conformed to the mandrel with at least one end of the fabric structure retaining an opening therein. The mandrel is disassembled and removed through the opening, and a matrix cured within the fabric to produce the desired composite. Usually, the fabric structure will be cured in an external mold with an inflatable mandrel inserted through the opening applying internal pressure.

Abstract: Mandrel means for forming tubular tubular articles of an infinitely variable range of sizes by helical winding of strip material (25) around the mandrel means comprises a support surface defined by an endless belt (37) which extends around two support drums (36) the spacing of which is selectively variable. The mandrel means additionally comprises a belt guide assembly (38) (39) which preferably diverts the belt (37) to follow an inwardly extending path between the support drums (36) and thereby results in a peripheral discontinuity in the mandrel means support surface. The belt guide assembly may also incorporate a roller (39) to maintain tension in the belt (37) irrespective of the spacing of the support drums (36). Cutter means may be provided to cut a wound tubular article in the vicinity of the support surface discontinuity.

Abstract: A double helix is formed from two partial helices each having the same winding direction and each having an oval cross-section with nearly straight upper and lower winding legs. The facing winding arcs of the two partial helices encircle each other. The upper winding legs of the partial helices extend at a different angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the partial helices than the lower winding legs of the respective partial helix. The upper winding legs of one partial helix extend at the same angle with respect to the longitudinal axis as the lower winding legs of the other partial helix and vice versa.

Abstract: A filament winding process for a melt-processable, thermoplastic matrix material, and a reinforcing fiber. The process is heat and pressure intensive. An on-line consolidation is provided.