Abstract: A resin supply unit of a manufacturing apparatus supplies a resin to a roller surface of an impregnated roller which is capable of rotating at a constant speed. A transport mechanism brings the fiber bundle into contact with the resin on the roller surface and thereby forms a tow prepreg while the fiber bundle is being transported. A fineness acquisition unit acquires as a fineness acquisition value a fineness, which is defined by a mass per unit length of the fiber bundle during conveyance thereof before being brought into contact with the resin. A resin supply amount control unit controls the resin supply amount based on the fineness acquisition value, in a manner so that a resin content of the tow prepreg becomes a target resin content.

Abstract: A high-pressure vessel includes a liner and a reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer includes an inner reinforcing layer and an outer reinforcing layer. Further, the inner reinforcing layer includes a first covering portion, a third covering portion, and a second covering portion. Edge surfaces of the first covering portion and the third covering portion that face each other are in contact with each other. Edge surfaces of the third covering portion and the second covering portion that face each other are also in contact with each other. The outer reinforcing layer covers the outside of the first covering portion, the third covering portion, and the second covering portion.

Abstract: A FW apparatus includes a bobbin driving unit, a winding device, and a tension applying device. A FW method using the FW apparatus includes a temporary suspending step of temporarily suspending operation of the winding device in the middle of winding the fed-out fiber portion around the workpiece. In the temporary suspending step, the length of the feeding path is increased by moving the pressing member while causing the pressing member to press against the fed-out fiber portion in a state of continuing to feed out the fed-out fiber portion from the fiber roll portion.

Abstract: A mandrel structure for use in manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin vessel by a filament winding process, includes: a shaft having a pair of axial ends configured to be supported by a drive unit; a mandrel having the shaft passed therethrough; and a pair of fittings having the shaft passed therethrough and projecting axially from respective axial ends of the mandrel. The mandrel is formed as a hollow shell made of a water-soluble material, and includes a pair of shaft holes receiving the shaft therein, and a receiving recess formed in a part of the mandrel surrounding each shaft hole and configured to engage the corresponding fitting in a rotationally fast manner.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin vessel by a filament winding process includes: a tubular part; and a pair of end parts joined to respective axial ends of the tubular part. The tubular part and the end parts are each made of a molded product of a material including pulp and a starch-based binder.

Abstract: A resin supply unit of a manufacturing apparatus supplies a resin to a roller surface of an impregnated roller which is capable of rotating at a constant speed. A transport mechanism brings the fiber bundle into contact with the resin on the roller surface and thereby forms a tow prepreg while the fiber bundle is being transported. A fineness acquisition unit acquires as a fineness acquisition value a fineness, which is defined by a mass per unit length of the fiber bundle during conveyance thereof before being brought into contact with the resin. A resin supply amount control unit controls the resin supply amount based on the fineness acquisition value, in a manner so that a resin content of the tow prepreg becomes a target resin content.

Abstract: A mandrel structure for use in manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin vessel by a filament winding process, includes: a shaft having a pair of axial ends configured to be supported by a drive unit; a mandrel having the shaft passed therethrough; and a pair of fittings having the shaft passed therethrough and projecting axially from respective axial ends of the mandrel. The mandrel is formed as a hollow shell made of a water-soluble material, and includes a pair of shaft holes receiving the shaft therein, and a receiving recess formed in a part of the mandrel surrounding each shaft hole and configured to engage the corresponding fitting in a rotationally fast manner.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin vessel by a filament winding process includes: a tubular part; and a pair of end parts joined to respective axial ends of the tubular part. The tubular part and the end parts are each made of a molded product of a material including pulp and a starch-based binder.

Abstract: In a pressure vessel formed by a fiber reinforced resin including reinforcing fibers and thermosetting resin impregnated in the reinforcing fibers, the fiber reinforced resin contains nylon particles dispersed in the thermosetting resin. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a pressure vessel including dispersing nylon particles in molten thermosetting resin, impregnating reinforcing fibers with the molten thermosetting resin having the nylon particles dispersed therein, wrapping the reinforcing fibers impregnated with the molten thermosetting resin around a mandrel, heating the reinforcing fibers and the thermosetting resin to cure the thermosetting resin, and removing the mandrel from the thermosetting resin after curing the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A high pressure tank production apparatus includes a feeder for feeding reinforced fibers wound around a resin liner and a near infrared ray radiation unit inserted into the resin liner to radiate near infrared rays. The reinforced fibers wound around the resin liner absorb near infrared rays radiated from the radiate near infrared ray radiation unit by a near infrared absorber contained in the reinforced fibers. As a result, an outer layer made of fiber reinforced resin is formed to cover the resin liner.