US 12,257,763 B2
Woven structure, method and apparatus for a flanged composite component
Christopher D Jones, Bristol (GB); Robert C Backhouse, Wells (GB); Ian Buck, Loughborough (GB); and Sarvesh Dhiman, Loughborough (GB)
Assigned to ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed by ROLLS-ROYCE PLC, London (GB)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/215,594.
Claims priority of application No. 2210346 (GB), filed on Jul. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0017475 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B29B 11/16 (2006.01); B29C 53/56 (2006.01); B29C 53/80 (2006.01); B29C 53/82 (2006.01); D03D 3/04 (2006.01); D03D 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 53/562 (2013.01) [B29C 53/8016 (2013.01); B29C 53/821 (2013.01); D03D 3/04 (2013.01); D03D 3/08 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for manufacturing an annular or semi-annular composite component having a circumferentially-extending base and a flange, the apparatus comprising:
a loom for weaving a woven preform of fibre reinforcement material for the composite component;
a rotatable mandrel configured to receive and draw the woven preform through the loom for weaving;
wherein the rotatable mandrel defines a near net shape profile for the composite component, including:
a base surface extending circumferentially around a rotation axis of the mandrel for defining a radially inner surface of the base of the composite component;
a flange surface for defining a surface of the flange of the composite component, the flange surface extending from an edge of the base surface along a direction having a radial component, such that a circumferential dimension of an angular portion of the near net shape profile increases along a radial extent of the flange surface; and
a guide disposed between the loom and the rotatable mandrel, the guide defining a guide path therebetween for the woven preform, the guide being configured relative to the loom and the rotatable mandrel to engage a first side of the woven preform opposite to a second side to be received on the near net shape profile of the rotatable mandrel;
wherein the guide is configured so that a woven preform drawn by the rotatable mandrel along the guide path under tension engages the guide to transition to a flanged profile at a lip of the guide before being received on the mandrel.