System and method for separation, winding, and extraction of an ancillary material

Abstract

A device for winding an ancillary material which includes: a support mechanism; at least two slats connected to the support mechanism and arranged substantially forming a tubular element, defining an internal section between them; a bar; and an end part; wherein the bar is rigidly attached at a first end to the support mechanism, arranged longitudinally along the inside of the internal section, and configured for being connected at a second end to the end part; and wherein the end part includes a connection mechanism configured for being coupled, in a manner which can be uncoupled, with the second end of the bar, such that in the coupled state of the end part, the internal section defined by the slats is larger than it is in the uncoupled state of the end part.

1 . A device for winding an ancillary material, wherein the device comprises:
 a support mechanism;   at least two slats, connected to the support mechanism and arranged such that the at least two slats substantially form a tubular element, thereby defining an internal section between them, wherein the at least two slats comprise a first end and a second end;   a bar; and   an end part;   wherein the baris rigidly attached at a first end to the support mechanism, arranged longitudinally along the inside of the internal section defined by the at least two slats, and configured for being connected at a second end to the end part; and   wherein the end part comprises a connection mechanism configured for being coupled, in a manner which can be uncoupled, with the second end of the bar, such that in the coupled state of the end part the internal section defined by the at least two slats is larger than it is in the uncoupled state of the end part.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two slats is fixed at the first end to the support mechanism and supported at the second end on the end part such that the support on the end part determines the size of the internal section defined by the slats in the region of the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the end part comprises a reduction in section on which the second end of the at least one of the slats is supported. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the configuration of the slats is such that when the connection mechanism is uncoupled from the second end of the bar, the slats bend in the region of the second end, producing a progressive decrease in the internal section defined by said slats in the longitudinal direction of the bar. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two slats include at least one first slat fixed at its first end to the support mechanism, and at least one second slat fixed at its second end to the end part, such that the uncoupling of the end part with respect to the bar causes the disconnection of the at least one second slat with respect to the support mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two plates, and in that the bar comprises at least two slots parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar,
 wherein said at least two slots comprise in at least part of their extension at least one inclined plane, each slot being configured for housing a plate,   wherein each plate comprises at least one inclined plane configured for being supported on the at least one complementary inclined plane of the slot which houses it, the plates being fixed to the bar in a sliding manner by means of retaining elements,   wherein each slat is fixed to a plate,   wherein the end part comprises a pushing element movable in the longitudinal direction of the bar and pushing means configured for moving the pushing element,   wherein   in the uncoupled state of the end part, one end of the plates projects from the slots towards the pushing element, and   in the coupled state of the end part, the pushing element pushes the ends of the plates towards the support mechanism, causing the sliding of the inclined planes of the plates over the inclined planes of the slots, which facilitates radial movement of the slats due to the joint action of the inclined planes of the plates and the slots.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pushing element has an annular shape and the connection mechanism of the end part comprises a pin configured for being coupled with the second end of the bar, the pin being inserted through the pushing element, such that the pushing element is linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the bar. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pushing element comprise:
 an eccentric drive fixed to the pin, with the capacity to turn about a transverse axis with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bar, and comprising a housing for receiving a rod,   a rod configured for being inserted in the housing of the drive,   wherein the rod is adapted for transmitting rotary motion to the drive.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pin is a threaded pin comprising a threaded surface in at least a portion of its extension and a head configured for pushing the pushing element. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two slats have a curved cross section. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the slats are arranged spaced from one another, such that there is a through slot between contiguous slats. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection mechanism of the end part comprises a housing adapted for inserting the second end of the bar. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the bar is threaded and the connection mechanism of the end part comprises a threaded housing adapted for inserting said second end. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an arm attached by a rotational attachment to the support mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two slats are manufactured from aluminium with an anti-adhesion surface treatment. 
     
     
         16 . A system for the placement of composite material wound on a reel, wherein the system comprises:
 a machine configured for placing the composite material, wherein the machine comprises means for turning the reel with respect to its axis, and   a device according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the machine is configured such that it allows the support of the device on a reel installed in the machine, such that the turning of the reel causes the turning of the device at the same linear velocity and in counter-rotating direction with respect to the turning direction of the reel. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a belt or gear configured for connecting the support mechanism of the device and a reel causing them both to turn at the same linear velocity in counter-rotating direction. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the machine is an automatic fiber placement machine. 
     
     
         20 . A method for the separation, winding, and extraction of an ancillary material adhered to a composite material wound on a reel, the method comprising:
 a) providing a system according to  claim 15  and a reel ( 20 ) comprising wound composite material, wherein the composite material is adhered to an ancillary material and wherein the connection mechanism of the device is coupled with the second end of the bar of the device,   b) securing the initial end of the ancillary material to the slats of the device,   c) supporting the device on the reel,   d) turning the reel for placing the composite material wound thereon, the ancillary material separating from the composite material and said ancillary material being wound on the slats of the device, until winding a volume of ancillary material,   e) uncoupling the end part to reduce the section defined by the at least two slats, and   f) extracting the ancillary material wound on the device.