US 12,459,214 B2
Linear propulsion mechanisms for the manufacture of multilayer tubular composite structures on forming mandrels
Kent Weisenberg, Jacksonville, FL (US); and Ty Youmans, Yulee, FL (US)
Filed by SAFEGUARD LLC, Jacksonville, FL (US)
Filed on Aug. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/236,026.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/371,937, filed on Aug. 19, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0059028 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 70/32 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29L 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/32 (2013.01) [B29C 70/545 (2013.01); B29C 2793/009 (2013.01); B29L 2023/00 (2013.01)] 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wheeled drive mechanism for a forming mandrel comprising:
one or more drive wheels substantially interior to the forming mandrel;
one or more outward-facing treads attached to an exterior of the one or more drive wheels; and
one or more rotation mechanisms, wherein:
each of the one or more outward-facing treads is configured to contact an internal surface of a nascent tubular composite structure (TCS) on an exterior of the forming mandrel,
the one or more rotation mechanisms are configured to rotate the one or more drive wheels relative to the forming mandrel, and
rotation of the one or more drive wheels is configured to advance the nascent TCS along the exterior of forming mandrel.