Abstract: A weaving device for the production of thick textile armatures constituted by superposed layers of threads secured together by a binding thread traversing the layers, includes a frame provided laterally and at its periphery with regularly distributed hooking pins, elements for depositing with the aid of the pins, thread and elements for flattening the layers. The pins have a first section with a slight inclination outwardly of the frame and a second straight section prolonging the first and having an a substantially greater inclination outwardly of the frame. The elements for depositing thread include a plurality of guides each supplying a thread, and are moved simultaneously and spaced at an interval equal to n times the interval between pins. The elements for weaving the layers include elements adapted to press the assembly of the layers about their periphery.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a weaving device for the production of thick textile armatures constituted by superposed layers of threads secured together by a binding thread traversing said layers, said device comprising a frame (13) provided laterally and at its periphery with regularly distributed hooking pins (17), means (21) for depositing with the aid of said pins, thread (22) and means for compressing the layers, characterized in that said pins (17) are constituted by pins comprising a first section (17a) with a slight inclination outwardly of the frame and a second straight section (17b) prolonging the first and having an a substantially greater inclination outwardly of the frame, in that said means for depositing thread are constituted by a plurality of guides (21) each supplying a thread (22), and moved simultaneously and spaced at an interval equal to n times the interval between pins, and in that said means for weaving the layers are constituted by means (23 to 25) adapted to press the assembly (1

Abstract: A device for depositing in contact roving of pre-impregnated fibers in which at least one roving (F) is, in the course of a deposition sequence, unrolled from a spool (19) or the like, pressed and deposited on the surface (9) to be covered with the help of a deposition roller (11) or the like, then cut when the desired length of roving is deposited. Substantially from beginning to end of each deposition sequence the roving (F) is maintained in contact with the roller (11), the roving being unrolled substantially under only the tension of the roller and deposited and held, at least at the beginning and at the end of the deposition path, pressed against the surface to be covered, and, at the end of the deposition sequence, spacing the deposition roller (11) from the surface (9), then cutting the roving in its portion between the roller and the surface. Useful in the production of structures of composite material.

Abstract: Method for producing a shaped part made of a graphitized carbon/carbon composite material in which a compound of carbon fibers is prepared impregnated with a solution of carbon precursors and then cut into sections placed in a mould subjected to a carbonization stage by means of hot unidirectional pressing, wherein, so as to prepare the compound, the fiber is subjected to a heat deoxidation and oil removal treatment followed by a softening in a bath for increasing wettability and hooking and then impregnation in a bath formed of an aqueous solution containing pitch mesophase, high-yield pitch and a binder, the required sufficient calculated amount of compound being placed in bulk in a hot constant volume pressing mould so as to accurately fill the mould at the end of pressing before carrying out said carbonization, the moulded part finally being graphitized at a high temperature. Applications include the aeronautic and spatial fields.

Abstract: Apparatus is provide for the fabrication of fiber composites composed of a fiber-reinforced vitreous or glass-ceramic matrix by winding fibers preimpregnated with constituents of the matrix onto a mandrel. The apparatus includes a furnace into which a winding mandrel can be introduced; elements for driving the mandrel in rotation around its axis inside the furnace; transit elements including a slot parallel to the axis of the mandrel positioned in the wall of the furnace for delivering fibers into the furnace; elements including a head for delivering fibers from supply spools positioned outside the furnace to the mandrel inside the furnace via the transit elements; and elements for actuating and controlling delivery of fibers and driving in rotation of the mandrel comprising elements for actuating and controlling the elements for driving the mandrel and the head for delivering the fibers as a function of winding parameters.

Abstract: Method for embodying hollow articles made of composite material including at least one access orifice via winding/laying down fibers on an expansible mandrel, the resulting articles and a recoverable and removable mandrel. The method includes placing preimpregnated fibers on an expansible, extractable mandrel having a longitudinal axis by at least one of winding and laying down the preimpregnated fibers on the mandrel, the placing of circumferential fibers of the preimpregnated fibers comprising placing the circumferential fibers at an angle to approach or reach 90.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis and to form on the mandrel a sinuous line and/or plural, discontinuous elements, so as to enable the preimpregnated fibers to be expanded circumferentially during radial expansion of the mandrel; and expanding the mandrel inside a shaper while polymerizing the preimpregnated fibers.

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: Method for producing a fibrous reinforcement (1) for a component of composite material comprising a panel provided with a rib. Transverse fibers (4A) are inserted over the whole extent of the first fibrous element (2), through the opposite face of the first fibrous element (2) to the second fibrous element (3) and by the stitching without knotting of a continuous filament (4) by means of a needle (33, 40), so that the transverse fibers (4A), which are located opposite the bearing flange (3A) of the second fibrous element (3), form stitches (4B) joining the first and second fibrous elements together and that some (4A1) of the transverse fibers (4A) are located vertically in line with the stiffening flange (3B) of the second fibrous element (3). Also a method for the production of composite components of the aircraft structural panel type.

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 method and device are disclosed for forming reinforcement element formed of fibers distributed along three dimensions, wherein, a continuous fiber is introduced in a substrate resting on a support formed of such fibers crossed in at least two directions, by stitching, from the free face of said substrate opposite said support by means of a needle driven with a reciprocal movement, a relative movement being in addition generated between said support and said needle so that said continuous fiber is formed inside said substrate of a succession of consecutive segments forming a zig-zag line.The invention is remarkable in that:said needle is curved and imposes on each segment of said continuous fiber a similar curved form; andthe reciprocal movement of said curved needle occurs while rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said needle and disposed on the concave side thereof.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for forming reinforcement elements from resistant fibers distributed along three dimensions, in which method, a continuous fiber is introduced in a substrate resting on a support formed of such fibers crossed in at least two directions, by stitching, from the free face of said substrate opposite said support by means of a needle driven with a reciprocal movement, a relative movement being in addition generated between said support and said needle so that said continuous fiber is formed inside said substrate of a succession of consecutive segments forming a zig-zag line.The invention is remarkable in that:said needle is curved and imposes on each segment of said continuous fiber a similar curved form; andthe reciprocal movement of said curved needle occurs while rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said needle and disposed on the concave side thereof.

Abstract: Two robot arms (16, 17) controlled by a preprogrammed system support each in turn a thread dispensing cassette (18), one of the arms 16 equipped with the cassette travelling over one part of a winding path 19 around a mandrel 2, at the end of which the cassettee is transferred to the other arm 17, which travels over the other part of the said path up to the point of departure of the first arm, in such a way that the thread is wound around the entire periphery of the mandrel in a movement that is analogous to the placing of a bandage around a limb when the rolled up bandage is passed from one hand to the other while unrolling the said bandage. Application to filament winding of complex shapes, particularly of toroidal articles, is disclosed.

Abstract: A cassette for storing and dispensing filamentary material to a machine for producing hollow articles by filament winding includes a housing having an outlet; a spindle supported internally of the housing; a hollow roll rotatably mounted on the spindle; and a reel of filamentary material carried by the hollow roll. The reel is fixed for rotation with the hollow roll and the hollow roll is rotatable in one direction to permit unwinding of the filamentary material from the reel. A force opposing the unwinding of the filamentary material is provided by a device located internally of the hollow roll. An adjustable braking mechanism is provided to establish a first tension on the filamentary material and an additional tensioning force is applied to the filamentary material by a complementary tensioning arrangement.

Abstract: A method of fabricating complex frames, e.g. for engines and aircraft comprises forming the principal components of the frame from resin-bonded filamentary material and securing them together, each of the principal components being formed by a method which includes the step of winding the filamentary material about a former having longitudinal axis and impregnating the material with a hardenable resin. One or more of the components so made may form part of the former for one or more of the other components. The method of forming the individual components may further include the step of axially dividing the element which is made by winding filamentary material about a former and impregnating the material with hardenable resin.

Abstract: A three-dimensional weave is formed having a triple set of rods and yarns. The network of rods is placed about the generatrices of the body of revolution to be made and ordered regularly around the axis of the latter in coaxial layers of revolution and in successive radial bunches. Circumferential yarns and radial yarns are laid in helical courses and woven into said network of rods around the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to woven hollow structures.Its object is to provide a method and a machine making it possible to obtain hollow reinforcements of revolution by three-dimensional weaving using rods 11, circumferential yarns 12 and radial yarns 13. In the network of rods 11 made to rotate around the axis 16 are introduced and woven the yarns 12 and 13, the latter being knitted by a needle 28 in the form of a chain stitch, and the helical layers of yarns thus formed, resting on a plate 20 to which is imparted a progressive downward movement, slide along the rods 11 and are tamped by fingers 30 over which is mounted a pressure plate 38.Application to the fabrication of woven reinforcements of complex shape for hollow bodies of revolution in plastic material.