Reinforcement methods for composite tube for fluid delivery system

摘要

The composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of knitted fiber characterized by a plurality of interlocking loops. The tubular knitted pattern allows for variable electrical, mechanical and geometrical tube options. A matrix material is applied over the knitted fiber pattern and is allowed to cure. The matrix material may include a combination of resin and epoxy constituents.;The matrix material may be applied by a vacuum bag molding process. The flexible knitted reinforcing layer allows use of an inflatable bladder to hold the reinforcing layer in the desired shape, thereby facilitating tube constructions of varying shapes and diameters. Continuous application of the matrix material avoids overlapping seams that are prone to delamination. Methods are provided for reinforcing the composite tube construction including one or more folded layers of knitted fiber, a reinforcing wrap made of knitted fiber, and an inflatable balloon element in combination with a layer(s) of knitted fiber.

主权项

1. A method of reinforcing a composite tube comprising:
providing a knitted reinforcement material comprising a plurality of interlocking loops of fiber, said knitted reinforcement material having first and second ends; folding said second end of said material back over itself towards said first end to form a dual layered configuration; and applying a matrix over said dual layered configuration, said matrix comprising resin and epoxy constituents, said matrix filling voids between said loops of fiber and between and around both layers of said dual layered configuration, said matrix having an internal surface extending radially inward beyond an inner layer of said dual layered configuration and an external surface extending radially outward beyond an outer layer of said dual layered configuration thereby forming a reinforced composite tube of a desired thickness; and wherein said knitted reinforcement material has a variable diameter along its length and at least one non-circular cross-sectional area defining at least one of a plurality of end configurations, said end configurations comprising at least one of a flange, a coupler, an extension, or a junction.