FR2950083A1 - Flat complex fabric for forming e.g. radial cloth of parachute web, has third layer consisting of film or cloth and arranged between first and second layer, where layers are joined together - Google Patents

Abstract

The fabric has a first layer (5) consisting of continuous warps and wefts interwoven with each other, where the continuous warps are oriented along longitudinal direction of the fabric. A second layer (6) comprises a transversal reinforcing yarn (62) and a longitudinal reinforcing yarn (61) extending along a line that is homothetic to longitudinal edges near the reinforcing yarn. A third layer (7) consists of a film or a cloth, and arranged between the first layer and the second layer. The first, second and the third layers are joined together. The fabric is in shape of triangle, spindle pyramid or quadrilateral. The transversal reinforcing yarn and a longitudinal reinforcing yarn are made of Vectran(RTM: Liquid Crystal Polymer Fiber).

Description

FABRIC COUPON AND USE OF SUCH A COUPON TO CONSTITUTE A LAIZE OF AN INFLATABLE STRUCTURE, IN PARTICULAR A SPINNAKER

The present invention relates to a complex fabric coupon, and the use of this coupon to form a width of an inflatable structure, including a spinnaker. Spinnakers are wind-blown sails, which are manufactured by assembling widths, each width being previously obtained in the form of a flat fabric coupon, cut according to the geometric requirements of the width to be obtained. In service, that is to say, when the spinnaker is inflated by the wind, this spinnaker undergoes the most intense efforts in lines that extend from each of its peaks towards the other summits, through the regions spinnaker. It has therefore been proposed, in the past, to strengthen the spinnaker by fabrics by orienting them in the warp direction, so that these lines of effort are taken up by the best direction of resistance of these tissues. In practice, these warp son are integrated in each width of the spinnaker, running straight along the entire length of the coupons forming these widths before assembly. As a result, after cutting and assembling the coupons, several of these warp yarns are, at at least one of their ends, on an assembly junction between two widths, so that, in use, over-pressures are applied. on the corresponding seam area which, in the long run, deteriorates. Moreover, insofar as, in use, each of the widths swell, these warp yarns induce, along their width, heterogeneities of deformation vis-à-vis the longitudinal edges of the width, which, in the long run, tires the basic fabric of the coupon. The object of the present invention is to provide a longitudinally reinforced fabric coupon, whose mechanical performance and weight are improved. To this end, the subject of the invention is a fabric coupon, having a flat overall shape of triangle, quadrilateral or spindle, which defines a longitudinal direction and has two opposite longitudinal edges, and comprising: a first layer constituted continuous warp and weft threads interlaced with each other, with warp threads oriented in the longitudinal direction of the coupon; - a second layer comprising at least one longitudinal reinforcing thread which extends along a line substantially homothetic to that of the two longitudinal edges closest to this longitudinal reinforcing thread, and - a third layer consisting of a film or fabric and deposited on the first layer with interposition of the second layer, the first, second and third layers being secured between they.

The idea underlying the invention is to seek to strengthen a coupon in its longitudinal direction, that is to say in a preferred direction of application of efforts that the coupon will incur in service, but without using reinforcement yarns strictly parallel to each other and rigorously arranged along the warp yarns of the base fabric of the coupon. In this context, the invention provides for reinforcement of the coupon using at least one, in practice several longitudinal threads, which are provided in a specific layer, interposed between a continuous yarn base layer and a layer covering the reinforcement yarns, which extend homothetically to the nearest longitudinal edge presented by this coupon. In this way, the course, possibly curved, of each longitudinal reinforcing thread of this coupon is adjusted to the cut of its nearest longitudinal edge, so that when efforts are applied longitudinally on the coupon, the action of these reinforcement son accompanies the deformation of its longitudinal edges: the coupon thus works effectively in its longitudinal direction, and this homogeneously in its transverse direction. It follows that, insofar as the essential, or even the totality of the service constraints is supported by the longitudinal reinforcing wires of the intermediate layer, the other constituent layers of the coupon can be dimensioned, in terms of mechanical strength, minimally: the overall weight of the coupon is reduced. In particular, the first layer serves essentially to remove the son of the second layer and, in use, allows a traditional assembly of several widths of the fabric to form a sail such as a spinnaker, by stitching and / or gluing. Similarly, this first layer can ensure, if necessary in conjunction with the third layer, the resistance crumple coupon. According to advantageous features of the fabric coupon according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination: the two longitudinal edges each have a convex curvature, and the or each longitudinal reinforcing thread extends over the first layer, in a curved line substantially homothetic to that of the two longitudinal edges closest to the longitudinal reinforcing wire; the or at least one of the longitudinal reinforcing threads extends over the entire longitudinal dimension of the coupon; the or at least one of the longitudinal reinforcing threads extends over only a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the coupon; the second layer also comprises at least one transverse reinforcing thread which extends parallel to the weft thread of the taffeta weave of the first layer, in contact with the longitudinal reinforcing son or son; - The coupon further comprises a fourth layer consisting of an anti-tear grid interposed at least locally between the second layer and the third layer; the yarns of the first layer are interlaced in taffeta weave; - The continuous son of the first layer are polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene; the or each longitudinal reinforcing thread and, where appropriate, the or each transverse reinforcement thread are made of polyamide, polyester, carbon, aramid, PERD or PEN; the third layer is made of a polyurethane, polyamide or polyester film. The invention also relates to a preferred use of a coupon as defined above, namely to form a width of an inflatable structure, including a spinnaker. The longevity of this inflatable structure is remarkable, while offering a very good mechanical resistance to the most intense efforts that undergoes this inflatable structure in use.

Of course, in practice, other uses of a coupon as defined above are possible. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a spinnaker shown inflated by the wind ; - Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the circled detail II in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is schematic exploded perspective view, showing the constituent layers of a flat fabric coupon, intended to form the widths of the spinnaker of Figures 1 and 2; - Figures 4 to 6 are elevational views respectively showing planar coupons, individually having the constitution shown in Figure 3 and each forming a width, before assembly, the spinnaker of Figures 1 and 2; FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing an airship balloon; FIG. 8 is a view analogous to FIG. 4, showing a planar slice forming a width of the balloon of FIG. 7, before it is assembled with the remainder of this balloon; and FIGS. 9 and 10 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 7, respectively showing a parachute sail and a kit-surf sail. In Figure 1 is shown a spinnaker 1 comprising three angular peaks, namely a crown of head or halyard 1A, a listening vertex 1B and a top of tack 1 C. The arrangements relating to the connection between the spinnaker 1 and a boat towed by the spinnaker when the latter is inflated by the wind will not be described here further, it being understood that these arrangements are well known. The spinnaker 1 consists essentially of widths, which, in the exemplary embodiment considered in FIG. 1, can be divided into two types, namely radial widths 2 and quadrangular widths 3. Radial widths 2 are divided into three parts. groups, the respective widths of which bloom from the three vertices 1A, 1B and 1C. Some widths 2 of the group associated with the listening vertex 1B bloom to reach directly some radial widths of the group associated with the vertex 1 C tack, while the remaining widths 2 of the two aforementioned groups are separated from the widths 2 of the group associated with the head or halyard vertex 1A by the quadrangular widths 3 arranged in the form of a row. It is emphasized here that this embodiment of the spinnaker 1 is only illustrative, in the sense that, in practice, the row of quadrangular widths 3 may be absent or, conversely, two or more rows of quadrangular widths may be provided between the group of radial widths 2 associated with the vertex 1A and the groups of radial width associated with the vertices 1B and 1C.

As is clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, each radial width 2 has a substantially triangular end 2a, namely here truncated triangular, which is radially connected to the corresponding vertex 1A, 1B or 1C of the spinnaker 1. Opposite its end 2a, each width 2 has a transverse edge 2b which is connected to the end 2a by two longitudinal edges 2c and 2d converging towards each other towards the end 2a. The radial widths 2 of the same group are assembled two by two for joining, in particular by sewing and / or gluing, one of the two longitudinal edges 2c and 2d of each radial width with one of the longitudinal edges, juxtaposed with the adjacent width. Advantageously, the ends 2a of the radial widths 2 of each group are also connected to each other by a consolidation headrest 4 which, in the figures, is indicated only by its outline drawn in dashed lines, for reasons of visibility. Similarly, each quadrangular width 3 has two opposite transverse edges 3a and 3b which, in the embodiment considered in the figures, are secured to the transverse edge 2b of one or more adjacent radial widths 2. The quadrangular widths 3 are are thus arranged in the longitudinal extension of the radial widths 2, being noted that each width 3 has two longitudinal edges 3c and 3d, which connect to each other the transverse edges 3a and 3b and which are respectively secured to the longitudinal edge juxtaposed of an adjacent quadrangular width, thus assembling the widths 3 between them by joining together in pairs.

Each radial width 2, as well as, advantageously as here, each quadrangular width 3 are reinforced by arrangements which will be described in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. Thus, each width 2, 3 consists of a complex fabric coupon, shaped flat. In other words, before assembling between them widths 2 and 3, each of these widths is produced in the form of a flat coupon, such as the flat coupons in the form of a triangle shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and such that the coupon plan in quadrilateral form shown in Figure 6. Thus, with respect to the overall shape of these flat coupons, the form of service of the widths 2 and 3 is found, being noted that, to allow the bulging of these widths when they are swollen by the wind, the edges of the flat coupons are not rectilinear but, on the contrary, these edges have a convex curvature, in particular for the longitudinal edges 2c and 2d of the radial widths 2 and for the longitudinal edges 3c and 3d for the widths quadrangular 3. In practice, these curved edges are obtained by cutting the plane coupon, following a path whose geometric characteristics are previously established appropriately. Each of the aforementioned coupons is manufactured by superposing and joining together several layers, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. Thus, a first layer 5, which can be described as a base layer, consists of continuous strands of warp and weft, intertwined with each other, according to including a taffeta weave. Advantageously, this armor is described as a "riptop", in the sense that it incorporates an alternation, according to a predefined frequency, of threads having different sizes, this alternation being able to be carried out in warp as well as in weft, according to respective frequencies. identical or different. In all cases, the warp threads of this taffeta weave are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the cut coupon, that is to say in the direction defined by its two longitudinal edges that are the edges 2c and 2d for the radial widths 2, and the edges 3c and 3d for the quadrangular widths 3.

Preferably, the continuous yarns of the taffeta weave of the layer 5 are made of polyamide. Alternatively, other organic materials may be envisioned, such as polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, each complex fabric coupon has a second layer 6 intended to reinforce the layer 5. For this purpose, the layer 6 includes longitudinal reinforcing threads 61, that is to say yarns which extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the coupon. However, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 3 to 6, these threads 61 do not extend, in the flat coupon, in a rectilinear manner, but have a more or less pronounced curvature. In fact, these son 61 are integrated in the coupon so that they are substantially homothetic to the nearest curved longitudinal edge, obtained by cutting the coupon, that is to say one of the longitudinal edges 2c and 2d for the radial widths 2 and one of the longitudinal edges 3c and 3d for the quadrangular widths 3. In other words, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flat coupon, the spacings between the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61, at a height of the coupon, are found by homothety at another height. To understand this aspect, it is possible to detail, for example, the planar coupon forming radial width 2, shown in FIG. 4: this coupon includes seven longitudinal reinforcing threads 61, whose three threads located in the left half of this figure are substantially homothetic the left longitudinal edge 2c, while the three longitudinal reinforcing son 61, located in the right half of Figure 4, are substantially homothetic right longitudinal edge 2d, it being understood that the remaining reinforcement wire 61, located equidistant 2c and 2d edges, extends substantially rectilinear in the longitudinal direction of the width 2. In Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 6, the son 61 are represented in finer lines than the edges of the widths 2 and 3 , for reasons related solely to their schematic visualization in these figures, without involving relative dimensional considerations. Moreover, it will be noted that, in FIG. 1, only certain widths 2 and 3 are shown with their longitudinal reinforcing threads 61: in practice, the other widths are provided with similar threads, which are however not drawn for reasons of visibility.

It will be noted that the curvature of the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61 are observed well in the flat coupons forming the radial 2 and quadrangular widths 3, but that, when these widths are inflated by the wind, these threads 61 give the impression of being rectilinear: this comes from the fact that, within the spinnaker 1, they deform like the longitudinal edges 2c, 2d, 3c or 3d with respect to which they were predicted by homothety. As indicated above, the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61 extend in length in the longitudinal direction of each coupon forming the widths 2 and 3 before assembly. As clearly visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, these wires 61 thus extend from the end 2a to the transverse edge 2b of the coupon forming the radial widths 2. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the wires 61 extend from one to the other of the transverse edges 3a and 3b of the coupon forming the quadrangular widths 3. More precisely, several longitudinal dimensionings of the wires 61 are in fact conceivable, as long as these wires 61 extend over the essential of the total longitudinal dimension of the coupon forming the widths 2 or 3. Thus, by way of example shown in FIG. 4, all the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61 represented extend over the entire longitudinal dimension of the coupon, starting inclusively. from end 2a up to and including the opposite transverse edge 2b. In the example shown in FIG. 5, only some of the wires 61 extend in the same way over the entire longitudinal dimension of the coupon, while the others start inclusively from the transverse edge 2b and end near the end 2a. , while maintaining a non-zero longitudinal distance with respect thereto. Of course, as a variant not shown, at least some of the longitudinal reinforcing son 61 may be provided starting from the end 2a inclusive, to end at a non-zero longitudinal distance from the opposite transverse edge 2b. These various longitudinal sizing possibilities of the yarns 61 may also be used for the coupons forming the quadrangular widths 3, depending on whether the yarns 61 extend inclusively or not from the transverse edge 3a to join inclusively or not the opposite transverse edge 3b. In practice, the fact of dimensioning in length all or part of the son 61 smaller than the total longitudinal dimension of the coupon makes it possible, locally, to reduce the weight of this coupon and to facilitate its manufacture, without losing in itself. mechanical performance, especially when the areas of the coupons, where these son 61 are interrupted, are consolidated by attached elements such as the headrests 4, as shown in FIG.

As an optional advantage, the second layer 6 comprises, in addition to the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61, transverse reinforcing threads 62, represented with the same drawing conventions as the threads 61. Unlike the threads 61, the threads 62 are rigorously parallel to each other, being oriented parallel to the weft son belonging to the taffeta reinforcement of the layer 5, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. Advantageously, these threads 62 are distributed at regular intervals, in contact with the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61. In practice, the density of the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61 is greater than that of the transverse reinforcement threads 62, because of the very function of these two types of reinforcement threads: indeed, in use, the longitudinal threads 61 are intended to withstand significantly greater forces than those applied to the transverse wires 62, the latter having in fact the purpose of stabilizing the positioning son 61 within the layer 6, especially during the manufacture of the fabric coupons complex, and limit the shrinkage of coupon under load.

Advantageously, the reinforcing threads 61 and, where appropriate, the reinforcing threads 62 are preferably made of polyamide, it being noted that, as variants, they may be made of polyester, for example an aromatic polyester, such as the VECTRAN (registered trademark), carbon, aramid, PERD (high density polyethylene) or PEN (ethylene polynaphthalate).

Each complex fabric coupon also comprises a third layer 7 deposited on the layer 5, with the interposition of the layer 6 so as to cover the son 61 and 62 of the latter. In practice, this layer 7 may be a fabric but, preferably, it is made of a polyurethane, polyamide or polyester film.

Furthermore, optionally, a fourth layer 8, consisting of a grid, can be inserted between layers 6 and 7, as shown in FIG. 3, or between layers 5 and 6. This optional layer 8 can, as needed, be provided only in a portion of the coupon and is intended to increase the resistance of this coupon to the tear. The layers 5, 6 and 7, as well as, where appropriate, the layer 8 are held together by any appropriate means, in particular by bonding and rolling. In practice, the adhesive can be provided externally to the layers or be pre-integrated with one of the latter. As mentioned above, after cutting the flat coupons forming the different radial widths 2 and quadrangular 3, these widths are assembled to each other to form the spinnaker 1, typically by stitching. When the spinnaker 1 is then inflated by the wind as in FIG. 1, it can be understood that the intense forces supported by the radial widths 2 along their longitudinal direction are essentially, if not exclusively, supported by the longitudinal reinforcing threads 61, without these The latter do not induce stress heterogeneities within the width, in particular with respect to its longitudinal edges 2c and 2d, and without making the seams work between the longitudinal edges juxtaposed with two adjacent radial widths. In the extension of these radial widths 2, quadrangular widths 3 work substantially in the same way, with the same advantages of mechanical strength and longevity. It will be understood that, insofar as the essential, or even the totality of the service constraints is borne by the wires 61 of the layer 6, the other constituent layers of the coupons forming the widths 2 and 3 can be dimensioned, in terms of resistance. mechanically, minimally. The overall weight of spinnaker 1 is decreased. In FIGS. 7 and 8, in FIG. 9, and in FIG. 10 are illustrated three other applications of the invention. Thus, in FIG. 7 is represented a dirigible balloon 100, inflated with hot air or with a light gas and intended to be connected to a passenger transport pod or to tow only lighter loads, such as atmospheric measuring instruments. This balloon 100 consists of a group of radial widths 102 which are each made from a flat coupon having an overall spindle shape, as shown in FIG. 8. In the figures, it is represented, with the same conventions representation of the previous figures, longitudinal reinforcement son 161 and transverse reinforcing son 162, and an upper end headrest 104. Alternatively not shown, the balloon 100 includes quadrangular widths, particularly in its part turned to the ground in use.

In Figure 9 is shown a parachute sail 200 inflated by the wind. This sail 200 consists of a group of radial widths 202 each made from a planar coupon having an overall shape of triangle. With the same drawing conventions as before, some of these widths 202 have been shown with longitudinal reinforcing threads 261 and transverse reinforcing threads 262, with the presence of an upper end faceplate 204. In FIG. shown a wind-blown kit-surf sail 300. This sail 300 is constituted, at its lateral ends, radial widths 302, made from flat coupons having triangular shapes, and, in its current part, several rows of quadrangular widths 303, made from flat coupons having quadrilateral forms. With the same drawing conventions as before, some of these widths 302 and 303 are represented with longitudinal reinforcing threads 361. Various arrangements and variants with the spinnaker 1, the balloon 100, the parachute sail 200 and the kit sail -surf 300, and the coupon of complex fabric used to form at least some of the widths of the latter, are also possible. By way of example, other inflatable structures than those shown can be considered, provided that these structures make it possible, under the action of the wind or a gas, to produce a traction or lift effect vis-à- screw of a body connected to this structure; this is for example the case of a gennaker and sails of paragliding, hang-gliding and kite flying.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1.- Coupon fabric, having a flat overall shape of a triangle (Figures 4 and 5), quadrilateral (Figure 6) or spindle (Figure 8), which defines a longitudinal direction and has two opposite longitudinal edges (2c, 2d; 3c, 3d), and comprising: - a first layer (5) consisting of continuous warp and weft yarns intertwined with each other, with the warp threads oriented in the longitudinal direction of the coupon, - a second layer (6) having at least one longitudinal reinforcing wire (61) extending in a line substantially homothetic to that of the two longitudinal edges closest to said longitudinal reinforcing wire, and - a third layer (7) consisting of a film or of a fabric and deposited on the first layer with interposition of the second layer, the first, second and third layers being joined together. 2. Coupon according to claim 1, characterized in that the two longitudinal edges (2c, 2d; 3c, 3d) each have a convex curvature, and in that the or each longitudinal reinforcing thread (61) extends, on the first layer (5), in a curved line substantially homothetic to that of the two longitudinal edges closest to the longitudinal reinforcing thread. 3. Coupon according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the or at least one of the longitudinal reinforcing son (61) extends over the entire longitudinal dimension of the coupon. 4. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least one of the longitudinal reinforcing son (61) extends over only a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the coupon. 5. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second layer (6) also comprises at least one transverse reinforcing thread (62) which extends parallel to the weft thread of the taffeta armor of the first layer (5), in contact with the longitudinal reinforcing son or son (61). 6. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth layer (8) consisting of an anti-tear grid interposed at least locally between the second layer (6) and the third layer (7). 7. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the son of the first layer (5) are interwoven in a taffeta weave. 8. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the continuous son of the first layer (5) are polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene. 9. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each longitudinal reinforcing wire (61) and, where appropriate, the or each transverse reinforcing wire (62) are made of polyamide, polyester, carbon, aramid, PERD or PEN. 10. Coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third layer (7) consists of a polyurethane film, polyamide or polyester. 11.- Use of a fabric coupon according to any one of the preceding claims, for constituting a width (2, 3; 102; 202) of an inflatable structure (1; 100; 200), in particular a spinnaker.