FIBER CATCHING DEVICE FOR ROTATING TUBE
A fiber catching device includes a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base, an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall, and at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook. In one variation, a plurality of protrusions are disposed on the external wall and define a plurality of gaps there between.
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This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2022/050146, filed on Nov. 16, 2022, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,951, filed on Nov. 16, 2021. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to the winding of fibers onto a tube to produce a doff, and more generally to an apparatus for guiding fibers during the winding process.
BACKGROUNDThe statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Reinforcing fibers, such as glass, are used in many common applications. For example, glass fibers can be used in insulation as well as in a variety of polymers for composite material applications. During packaging, the fibers are wound onto a tube to form a doff. The tube typically rotates at high speeds, and the fibers are wound around the tube to quickly form the doff.
Some winding operations include multiple tubes and thus involve the transfer of fibers from one tube to another. Transferring the continuous strand of fiber from one tube to the next in an efficient manner can be challenging at the high rotation speeds as fibers may tend to drift off the tube. When the fibers drift off the tube, a significant amount of manual labor is involved to re-direct/re-wind the fibers onto the tube, which also involves production down-time.
These challenges with winding fibers onto tubes, including winding operations with multiple tubes, are addressed by the present disclosure.
SUMMARYThis section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In one form, a fiber catching device includes a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base, an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall, and at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook.
In variations of the fiber catching device, which may be implemented individually or in combination: a plurality of protrusions are disposed on the external wall and define a plurality of gaps there between; the gaps further comprise radial gaps arranged progressively closer to a top of the external wall; the gaps further comprise circumferential gaps arranged circumferentially along the external wall; the external wall is angled towards the outboard hook; the receiver is a groove; an inboard hook extends upwardly from the inboard portion of the base; a ridge extends upwardly from the base between the inboard and outboard hooks, wherein the receiver includes an inboard groove disposed between the inboard hook and the ridge, and an outboard groove disposed between the outboard hook and the ridge; the inboard portion of the base defines an inclined edge; the base further comprises opposed circumferential extensions; each of the opposed circumferential extensions comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a mechanical fastener; an internal recess extends radially below the base and is configured to receive an outboard edge of a tube; a ring extends between circumferential end portions of the base; and the base and the ring are a single unitized piece.
In another form of the present disclosure, a fiber catching system includes a tube and a fiber catching device. The fiber catching device includes a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base, an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall, and at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook, wherein the fiber catching device is configured to direct a continuous fiber into the receiver of the fiber catching device and around an exterior surface of the tube during a fiber winding operation.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
Referring to
As used herein, a “fiber winding operation” is a process by which the fiber 16 is wound about the tube 14 to form the doff 18. The fiber 16 is initially free from the tube 14, e.g., extending from a fiber manufacturing machine (not shown). To wind the fiber 16 about the tube 14, the fiber 16 is directed around an exterior surface of the tube 14 as the tube 14 rotates about the rotatable axis R. To initiate the fiber winding operation, the fiber 16 engages with the tube 14 such that the fiber 16 forms a friction fit with the tube 14, pulling the fiber 16 around and along the exterior surface of the tube 14.
Referring to
As shown, the fiber catching device 20 includes a base 22 and a receiver, which in this design is in the form of grooves 40/42, described in greater detail below. As used herein, the term “receiver” should be construed to mean any element, feature, or material(s) of the fiber catching device 20 configured to receive the fiber 16. In the form shown, the fiber catching device 20 further includes an internal recess 24 extending radially below the base 22, an inboard hook 26 extending upwardly from the base 22, an outboard hook 28 extending upwardly from the base 22, and a ridge 30 extending upwardly from the base 22 between the inboard and outboard hooks 26, 28. Generally, the base 22 provides structure from which other portions of the body extend and provides a mounting area for the fiber catching device 20. The fiber catching device 20, being curved or arcuate in one form as shown, is designed to fit or slide onto the tube 14, as illustrated and set forth in greater detail below. The body can be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods, such as by way of example, 3D printing/additive manufacturing, casting, and molding, among others. In one form, the fiber catching device 20 is a thermoplastic polymer material formed using a multi-jet fusion additive manufacturing process.
Referring also to
Referring specifically to
The fiber catching device 20 further includes an inboard groove 40 and an outboard groove 42, separated by the ridge 30. In this form, the ridge 30 extends to a height below a top of the inboard hook 26 and a top of the outboard hook 28. The grooves 40, 42 are configured to further capture and maintain, or receive, the fiber 16 within the fiber catching device 20. Therefore, the grooves 40, 42, individually or together, should be considered to be a “receiver” as that term has been defined herein.
As further shown, the inboard hook 26 further includes an angled external wall 48. The angled external wall 48 is configured to face the fiber 16 as the fiber 16 approaches the fiber catching device 20. As the fiber 16 is wound around and moves along the external surface of the tube 14, the angled external wall 48 guides the fiber 16 up onto the fiber catching device 20, up and over the inboard hook 26, and into one of the grooves 40, 42. The external wall 48 is angled relative to the base 22 to direct the fiber 16 into the grooves 40, 42. In other words, the external wall 48 and the base 22 define a nonzero angle such that the external wall 48 extends toward the center of the fiber catching device 20.
Referring back to
More specifically, and with reference also to
The gaps 56 are arranged to catch fiber 16 that does not consistently ride up the angled external wall 48 during the fiber winding process. The gaps 56 include radial gaps 58 arranged progressively closer to the top of the angled external wall 48 of the inboard hook 26. The radial gaps 58 are arranged in a radial direction from a bottom of the angled external wall 48 to the top of the angled external wall 48. The gaps 56 further include circumferential gaps 60 arranged circumferentially along the angled external wall 48 of the inboard hook 26. Thus, the radial and circumferential gaps 58, 60 are configured to progressively catch and direct the fiber 16 up along the angled external wall 48. It should be understood that the number and configuration of protrusions 50 and gaps 56 as illustrated and described herein are merely exemplary and a variety of other configurations may be employed while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the angled external wall 48 may be normal or perpendicular to the base 22 rather than being angled while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
With reference to
In this form, the fiber catching device 70 includes an inboard hook 80, an outboard hook 82, and a ridge 84 disposed between the hooks 80, 82. The fiber catching device 70 further includes an inboard groove 86 and an outboard groove 88, separated by the ridge 84. In this form, one or more of the grooves 86, 88 define a “receiver” as that term has been defined herein. As described above, the grooves 86, 88 are configured to further capture and maintain the fiber 16 within the fiber catching device 70. More specifically, protrusions 90 on an angled external wall 92 define gaps 94 therebetween, and the protrusions 90 progressively guide the fiber 16 toward the grooves 86, 88. The gaps 94 include radial gaps 96 arranged progressively closer to the top of the angled external wall 92 and circumferential gaps 98 arranged circumferentially along the angled external wall 92. The radial and circumferential gaps 96, 98 are configured to progressively catch and direct the fiber 16 up along the angled external wall 92. And while the angled external wall 92 (and those of other variations illustrated and described herein) is shown angled towards the outboard portion 73, it should be understood that this wall can be normal or perpendicular to the base 72 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the term “external wall” is used to indicate no specific orientation.
Referring now to
The fiber catching device 100 also includes a base 118 and circumferential extensions 119, similar to those previously described. While apertures are not specifically illustrated, it should be understood that the circumferential extensions 119 may include one or more apertures as previously described to accommodate fasteners to secure the fiber catching device 100 to the tube 14 (not shown). Other forms of attaching the fiber catching device 100 as set forth herein may also be employed. Further, some or all of the features set forth herein in connection with the various fiber catching devices (e.g., internal recess 24) may be employed with this fiber catching device 100 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
Referring now to
With reference to
With reference to
Referring now to
As further shown, a ramp 182 extends between the inboard groove 178 and the ridge 176. The ramp 182 generally directs the fiber 16 toward the outboard groove 180 if the fiber should leave the inboard groove 178 during the winding operation. And similar to the outboard hooks illustrated and described above, the outboard hook 174 inhibits the fiber 16 from leaving the outboard groove 180. The fiber 16 thus can be received by the inboard groove 178 or the outboard groove 180.
As shown in
It should be understood that some or all of the features set forth herein in connection with the various fiber catching devices may be employed with this fiber catching device 170 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Similar features of this fiber catching device 170 that are similar to previously illustrated and described features are omitted for purposes of clarity.
Referring now to
In this form, the fiber catching device 70 is integrally formed with the ring 192 to form a single, unitized piece. This unitized piece may be a single material or may be formed of different materials using, by way of example, an additive manufacturing process. In another form, the fiber catching ring 190 is manufactured from an individual ring 192 and an individual fiber catching device 70, as separate parts, which are joined in a secondary operation such as welding, adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, and combinations thereof. While the fiber catching device 70 is shown generally as the form from
Referring now to
Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word “about” or “approximately” in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.
As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”
The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the different configuration and pattern of protrusions from one fiber catching device may be combined with another fiber catching device. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A fiber catching device comprising:
- a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion;
- an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base;
- an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall; and
- at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook.
2. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed on the external wall and defining a plurality of gaps there between.
3. The fiber catching device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of gaps further comprise radial gaps arranged progressively closer to a top of the external wall.
4. The fiber catching device according of claim 2, wherein the plurality of gaps further comprise circumferential gaps arranged circumferentially along the external wall.
5. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, wherein the external wall is angled towards the outboard hook.
6. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver is a groove.
7. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, further comprising an inboard hook extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base.
8. The fiber catching device according to claim 7, further comprising:
- a ridge extending upwardly from the base between the inboard hook and the outboard hook,
- wherein the at least one receiver comprises:
- an inboard groove disposed between the inboard hook and the ridge; and
- an outboard groove disposed between the outboard hook and the ridge.
9. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, wherein the inboard portion of the base defines an inclined edge.
10. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, wherein the base further comprises opposed circumferential extensions.
11. The fiber catching device according to claim 10, wherein each of the opposed circumferential extensions comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a mechanical fastener.
12. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, further comprising an internal recess extending radially below the base and configured to receive an outboard edge of a tube.
13. The fiber catching device according to claim 1, further comprising a ring extending between circumferential end portions of the base.
14. The fiber catching device according to claim 13, wherein the base and the ring are a single unitized piece.
15. A fiber catching system comprising:
- a tube; and
- the fiber catching device of claim 1,
- wherein the fiber catching device is configured to direct a continuous fiber into the at least one receiver of the fiber catching device and around an exterior surface of the tube during a fiber winding operation.
16. A fiber catching device comprising:
- a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion;
- an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base;
- an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall;
- at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook;
- a plurality of protrusions disposed on the external wall and defining a plurality of gaps there between;
- an inboard hook extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base; and
- an internal recess extending radially below the base and configured to receive an outboard edge of a tube.
17. The fiber catching device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one receiver is a groove.
18. The fiber catching device according to claim 16, further comprising:
- a ridge extending upwardly from the base between the inboard hook and the outboard hook,
- wherein the at least one receiver comprises:
- an inboard groove disposed between the inboard hook and the ridge; and
- an outboard groove disposed between the outboard hook and the ridge.
19. The fiber catching device according to claim 16, wherein the base further comprises opposed circumferential extensions.
20. The fiber catching device according to claim 19, wherein each of the opposed circumferential extensions comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a mechanical fastener.
Type: Application
Filed: May 15, 2024
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2024
Applicant: OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC (Toledo, OH)
Inventors: Frank MACDONALD (Granville, OH), Aurelien BERTHELOT (Chambery), John GRAHAM (Frazeysburg, OH), Robert WILLIAMS (Zanesville, OH), Jill A. KRUEGER (New Albany, OH), Eugene GALLOWAY (Anderson, SC), Adam DAVIS (Johnstown, OH)
Application Number: 18/664,604