Method and apparatus for production of composite preform

Abstract

A method of producing a composite preform having a profile with variable profile height or width is provided. The method includes: providing a plurality of first fibre layers overlapping or upon one another in or substantially parallel to a primary plane; inserting a second fibre layer via a guide member between two of the first fibre layers at an edge region of the preform profile, such that the second fibre layer extends substantially parallel to the first fibre layers; and positioning the edge region of the preform profile, and thus respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, out of the primary plane to set or determine a dimension of the preform profile in the primary plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing a composite preform with a profile of variable height or width, comprising:
 a frame for supporting a plurality of first fibre layers arranged overlapping or applied on one another in or parallel to a primary plane;   at least one guide member for guiding a second fibre layer, the guide member being configured to be arranged between two of the first fibre layers at an edge region of the preform profile, such that the second fibre layer extends in a plane substantially parallel to the first fibre layers; and   a forming member in or upon which the at least one guide member is mounted or attached, wherein the forming member is configured to engage the edge region of the preform profile, and wherein the forming member is movable or positionable to set or determine a dimension of the preform profile in the primary plane.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide member includes a sheath or sleeve which at least partially surrounds or covers the second fibre layer, wherein the guide member is configured to convey or direct the second fibre layer, which is fed or drawn through the sheath or sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to respective edge regions of the first fibre layers. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming member is movable to bend or displace the edge region of the profile, and thus respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, through an angle out of the primary plane. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming member is movable to displace the edge region of the preform profile, and thus the respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, in a direction substantially parallel to the primary plane. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for producing composite preforms having a cross-sectional profile of varying heights or widths, comprising:
 a frame for supporting a plurality of first fibre layers arranged overlapping or on top of one another and extending parallel to a primary plane, wherein the first fibre layers are combined to form a preform profile;   at least one guide member for guiding a second fibre layer, the guide member being arranged between two of the first fibre layers at an edge region of the preform profile, such that the second fibre layer extends in a plane substantially parallel to the first fibre layers; and   a forming member on which the at least one guide member is mounted, wherein the forming member is configured to engage the edge region of the preform profile, wherein the forming member is movable to set a dimension of the preform profile in the primary plane.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one guide member includes a sheath which at least partially surrounds or covers the second fibre layer, wherein the guide member is configured to direct the second fibre layer via the sheath in a direction substantially parallel to respective edge regions of the first fibre layers. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the forming member is movable to bend the edge region of the profile, and respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, through an angle out of the primary plane. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the forming member is movable to displace the edge region of the preform profile, and respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, in a direction substantially parallel to the primary plane. 
     
     
         9 . A method of producing a composite preform having a preform profile of variable profile height or width with an apparatus according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of first fibre layers arranged upon or overlapping one another substantially parallel to a primary plane;   inserting at least one second fibre layer between two of the plurality of first fibre layers at an edge region of the preform profile, whereby the second fibre layer extends substantially parallel to the first fibre layers; and   positioning the edge region of the preform profile, and thereby respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers, out of the primary plane to set or determine a dimension of the preform profile in the primary plane.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein positioning the edge region of the preform profile includes: displacing or bending the edge region of the preform profile, and thereby the respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers, through an angle out of the primary plane. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein positioning the edge region of the preform profile further includes: displacing the edge region of the preform profile, and thus the respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers, in a direction parallel to the primary plane. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein inserting at least one second fibre layer between two of the plurality of first fibre layers at the edge region of the preform profile comprises:
 guiding or feeding the at least one second fibre layer via a guide member arranged between said two of the plurality of first fibre layers at the edge region of the preform profile.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the guide member comprises a sheath or sleeve that at least partially surrounds or envelops the at least one second fibre layer, and wherein inserting the at least one second fibre layer includes drawing or conveying the at least one second fibre layer through the sheath or sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein inserting at least one second fibre layer includes inserting a plurality of second fibre layers, and the method further comprises:
 providing a plurality of guide members for the plurality of second fibre layers, each being arranged between two of the plurality of first fibre layers at the edge region of the preform profile, whereby each of the plurality of second fibre layers extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plurality of first fibre layers.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the guide member is mounted in or attached to a forming member which engages or encompasses the edge region of the preform profile, and thereby also the respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein positioning the edge region of the preform profile, and thereby also the respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers, comprises moving the forming member. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of first fibre layers include one or more multi-axial fibre layers. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein drawing or conveying the at least one second fibre layer through the sheath or sleeve comprises drawing or conveying the at least one second fibre layer though the sheath or sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to the fibres of the at least one second fibre layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one second fibre layer comprises a unidirectional fibre layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein drawing or conveying the at least one second fibre layer through the sheath or sleeve comprises drawing or conveying the at least one second fibre layer though the sheath or sleeve in a direction substantially parallel the respective edge regions of the plurality of first fibre layers.