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Abstract

An efficient, low cost method and apparatus for controlling fiber deposition in a fiber reinforced preform is provided. In the method, a main screen is placed in a tank filled with liquid. The main screen has a major surface, upright side walls and a plurality of openings formed therein. Reinforcing fibers are added to the liquid to create a slurry. The main screen is raised through the slurry to a level beneath the top of the slurry, thereby causing the reinforcing fibers to be deposited on the main screen. A retainer screen is inserted into the slurry so that the reinforcing fibers are sandwiched between the main screen and the retainer screen. Both the main screen and retainer screen are raised out of the tank effectively forming a preform with minimal deformation. An alternative embodiment includes a bubbler zone control device for mixing the slurry. The tank is divided into separate areas or zones whereby the supply of fluid to each bubbler zone is controlled. The bubbler zone controller may be used to initiate or diminish a vortex in the slurry as the screen is being raised out of the tank. Another embodiment includes a fiber dispenser controller for sequentially adding different fibers to the slurry.

First Claim