US 12,006,180 B2
Apparatus and method for spliting a tow of carbon fiber filaments
Charles Fletcher Stewart, Athens, TN (US)
Filed by Charles Fletcher Stewart, Athens, TN (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/891,574.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/296,329, filed on Jan. 4, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0211974 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. B65H 51/005 (2006.01); B65H 54/20 (2006.01); B65H 59/40 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 51/005 (2013.01) [B65H 54/20 (2013.01); B65H 59/40 (2013.01); B65H 2301/51422 (2013.01); B65H 2301/515326 (2013.01); B65H 2301/5155 (2013.01); B65H 2701/314 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A carbon fiber tow splitting apparatus, comprising:
an electrolyte bath assembly;
a bath basin;
at least one entry roller;
at least one exit roller;
a splitting assembly;
at least one blade;
the electrolyte bath assembly comprising the bath basin, the at least one entry roller, and the at least one exit roller;
the bath basin having an entry end, and an exit end;
the at least one entry roller being positioned within the bath basin adjacent to the entry end;
the at least one exit roller being positioned within the bath basin adjacent to the exit end;
the splitting assembly comprising the at least one blade; and
the splitting assembly being positioned in line with the at least one entry roller and the at least one exit roller.