PRODUCTION OF COMPOSITE STRUCTURES USING LIGHTWEIGHT LOW COST MATRIX EXTENDER MATERIALS

摘要

2115740 9303855 PCTABS00020 A process and apparatus are provided for injecting dry lightweight particulate material into a stream of catalyzed resin. The particulate material is stored in a fluidizing tank (62). The fluidized dry particles are conveyed from the tank (62) under a controlled vacuum created by a low pressure venturi pump (84) through an anti-static conveying tube (112) to an adjustable delivery tube (36) which terminates with a nozzle (52). The nozzle (52) delivers a low velocity controlled spray pattern (50) which coincides with the stream of pressurized resin. Within the venturi pump (84) and opposite to the main low pressure, low volume inlet (102), is a second pressurized inlet (100). This inlet (100) directly controls the degree of vacuum, thereby precisely determining the amount of particulate material delivered to the resin stream. The degree of vacuum can be sensed by a tube (156) connected to the venturi pump (84), and through electronic circuitry is converted to a visual display (160).