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Title:
FILAMENT WINDER, METHOD AND FILAMENT-REINFORCED BODY
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/008888
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A filament winder (10) for winding a filament onto a core member (20), the filament winder (10) comprising: a plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) arranged in series along a central axis (50), the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) comprising: a first filament-delivery member (100) rotatable about the central axis (50), a second filament-delivery member (200) rotatable about the central axis (50), a central filament-delivery member (300) located between the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200), each filament-delivery member (100, 200, 300) configured to deliver filament onto the core member (20); wherein the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) is moveable along the central axis (50) in a first direction of travel (51) and is moveable along the central axis (50) in a second direction of travel (52), the first direction of travel (51) and the second direction of travel (52) being opposite directions.

Inventors:
WHITHAM ANDREW JONATHAN (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2021/051701
Publication Date:
January 13, 2022
Filing Date:
July 05, 2021
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
CYGNET TEXKIMP LTD (GB)
International Classes:
B29C53/70; B29C70/22; B29C70/32
Foreign References:
JPH09277391A1997-10-28
US20030051795A12003-03-20
CN105563853A2016-05-11
EP2033766A12009-03-11
US20180111340A12018-04-26
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
APPLEYARD LEES IP LLP (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A filament winder (10) for winding a filament onto a core member (20), the filament winder (10) comprising: a plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) arranged in series along a central axis (50), the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) comprising: a first filament-delivery member (100) rotatable about the central axis (50), a second filament-delivery member (200) rotatable about the central axis (50), a central filament-delivery member (300) located between the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200), each filament-delivery member (100, 200, 300) configured to deliver filament onto the core member (20); wherein the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) is moveable along the central axis (50) in a first direction of travel (51) and is moveable along the central axis (50) in a second direction of travel (52), the first direction of travel (51) and the second direction of travel (52) being opposite directions.

2. The filament winder (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to alternate between a rotating mode of operation and a rotationally-static mode of operation, wherein the first filament-delivery member (100) is configured to be in the rotating mode of operation when moving in the first direction of travel (51) and is configured to be in the rotationally-static mode of operation when moving in the second direction of travel (52), and the second filament-delivery member (200) is configured to be in the rotationally-static mode of operation when moving in the first direction of travel (51) and is configured to be in the rotating mode of operation when moving in the second direction of travel (52); and in the rotating mode of operation, the respective filament-delivery member (100, 200) is configured to rotate about the central axis (50); in the rotationally-static mode of operation, the respective filament-delivery member (100, 200) is configured to remain rotationally static with respect to the central axis (50).

3. The filament winder (10) according to claim 2, wherein each of the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) comprises a filament guide (150, 250) configured to guide filament from the first filament- delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) onto the core member (20); and the central filament-delivery member (300) comprises a plurality of central filament guides (350) configured to guide filament from the central filament-delivery member (300) onto the core member (20), the plurality of central filament guides (350) angularly spaced about the central axis (50); wherein the filament guides (150, 250) of the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to assume a parking position when the corresponding filament-delivery member (100, 200) is in the rotationally-static mode of operation, and in the parking position the combination of the filament guide (150, 250) and the central filament guides (350) are equidistantly spaced about the central axis (50).

4. The filament winder (10) according to claim 3, further comprising the core member (20); wherein the plurality of central filament guides (350) and the filament guide (150, 250) of the first filament-delivery member (100) or the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to deliver filaments to cover the core member (20) without overlap of filaments and without defining gaps between the filaments.

5. The filament winder (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first filament-delivery member (100) is provided with a single filament guide (150), and the second filament-delivery member (200) is provided with a single filament guide (250).

6. The filament winder (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each of the filament guides (150, 250, 350) comprises a spindle (152, 252, 352) configured to receive a filament bobbin (154, 254, 354).

7. The filament winder (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each of the filament guides (150, 250, 350) is configured to receive filament from a source external to the filament winder.

8. A method of winding filament, the method comprising: providing a core member (20); providing a plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300), the plurality of filament- delivery members (100, 200, 300) comprising a first filament-delivery member (100), a second filament-delivery member (200) and a central filament-delivery member (300) located between the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200); disposing a first zero-degree filament layer onto the core member (20) by: displacing the second filament-delivery member (200) and the central filament-delivery member (300) along the core member (20) in a rotationally-static mode of operation and laying zero-degree filament onto the core member (20); displacing the first filament-delivery member (100) along the core member (20) in a rotating mode of operation and winding non-zero-degree filament around the zero-degree filaments, thereby trapping the zero-degree filaments.

9. The method of winding filament according to claim 8, comprising: disposing a second zero-degree filament layer onto the core member (20) by: displacing the first filament-delivery member (100) and the central filament-delivery member (300) along the core member (20) in a rotationally-static mode of operation and laying zero-degree filament onto the core member (20); displacing the second filament-delivery member (200) along the core member (20) in a rotating mode of operation and winding non-zero-degree filament around the zero-degree filaments, thereby trapping the zero-degree filaments; wherein the filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) are displaced in a first direction (51) when disposing the first zero-degree filament layer and in a second direction (52) when disposing the second zero-degree filament layer, the first direction (51) and the second direction (52) being opposite directions.

10. A filament-reinforced body (20), comprising: a main body (22), a filament cover (24) extending around the main body (22), the filament cover (24) comprising a zero-degree filament layer (26) and a non-zero-degree filament layer (28), wherein the non-zero-degree filament layer (28) traps the zero-degree filament layer (26).

11. The filament-reinforced body (20) according to claim 10, comprising a plurality of filament covers (24), each cover (24) comprising a zero-degree filament layer (26) and a non-zero- degree filament layers (28).

12. The filament-reinforced body (20) according to claim 11 , wherein the filament-reinforced body (20) comprises a continuous segment of filament (29) which extends through each of the plurality of filament covers (24).

Description:
FILAMENT WINDER, METHOD AND FILAMENT-REINFORCED BODY

FIELD

[01] The present disclosure relates in general to a filament winder, a method of winding filament, and a filament-reinforced body. In particular the disclosure is concerned with a filament delivery apparatus for winding a filament around a core member, a method of winding filament around a core member, and a filament-reinforced core member.

BACKGROUND

[02] Filament winding is a known fabrication process. By means of filament winding a core member, which may be a workpiece or a mandrel, is covered with a layer of filament being wound around the core member.

[03] The so-called winding angle is one of the parameters characterising the process of filament winding and the resulting filament layer formed on the core member. The winding angle describes how ‘slanted’ the filament is relative to the core member. More particularly, the winding angle is defined as the angle between the filament and a rotational axis of the winding process. The rotational axis is defined either by the core member or by the filament winder. That is to say, for an application where the core member is rotated relative to the filament winder, the rotation of the core member defines the rotational axis. Conversely, for an application where the filament winder is rotated relative to the core member, the rotation of the filament winder defines the rotational axis.

[04] Conventionally filament laid down parallel to the rotational axis corresponds to an angle of 0 degrees, while filament laid down perpendicular to the rotational axis corresponds to an angle of 90 degrees. Figures 1 , 2 and 3 show examples of different winding angles in relation to an exemplary core member 1 provided as an elongate cylinder. Figure 1 illustrates a winding angle 2 of substantially ninety degrees, i.e. filament 3 is wound perpendicular to a rotational axis 4 indicated by the dashed-dotted line. Figure 2 illustrates a winding angle which is less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees. Figure 3 illustrates a winding angle of substantially 0 degrees, i.e. parallel to the rotational axis 4. For some applications it may be desirable to have a winding angle which is as small as possible, i.e. 0 or close thereto. According to some known processes of filament winding, this may be achieved by winding filament multiple times around the workpiece at an angle close to 0 degrees, thus creating multiple loops of filament around the workpiece. Such known process may have certain technical deficits, however. For example, the winding process may be slow because only a single zero-degree filament is being wound onto the core member 1. An alternative filament winder, method of filament winding, and filament-reinforced core member are therefore highly desirable. SUMMARY

[05] According to the present disclosure there is provided a filament winder, a method of winding filament and a filament-reinforced body as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[06] According to an example, there is provided a filament winder (10) for winding a filament onto a core member (20), the filament winder (10) comprising: a plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) arranged in series along a central axis (50), the plurality of filament- delivery members (100, 200, 300) comprising: a first filament-delivery member (100) rotatable about the central axis (50), a second filament-delivery member (200) rotatable about the central axis (50), a central filament-delivery member (300) located between the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200), each filament-delivery member (100, 200, 300) configured to deliver filament onto the core member (20); wherein the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) is moveable along the central axis (50) in a first direction of travel (51) and is moveable along the central axis (50) in a second direction of travel (52), the first direction of travel (51) and the second direction of travel (52) being opposite directions.

[07] According to some examples, the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to alternate between a rotating mode of operation and a rotationally-static mode of operation, wherein the first filament-delivery member (100) is configured to be in the rotating mode of operation when moving in the first direction of travel (51) and is configured to be in the rotationally-static mode of operation when moving in the second direction of travel (52), and the second filament-delivery member (200) is configured to be in the rotationally-static mode of operation when moving in the first direction of travel (51) and is configured to be in the rotating mode of operation when moving in the second direction of travel (52); and in the rotating mode of operation, the respective filament-delivery member (100, 200) is configured to rotate about the central axis (50); in the rotationally-static mode of operation, the respective filament-delivery member (100, 200) is configured to remain rotationally static with respect to the central axis (50). [08] According to some examples, each of the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) comprises a filament guide (150, 250) configured to guide filament from the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) onto the core member (20); and the central filament-delivery member (300) comprises a plurality of central filament guides (350) configured to guide filament from the central filament-delivery member (300) onto the core member (20), the plurality of central filament guides (350) angularly spaced about the central axis (50); wherein the filament guides (150, 250) of the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to assume a parking position when the corresponding filament-delivery member (100, 200) is in the rotational ly-static mode of operation, and in the parking position the combination of the filament guide (150, 250) and the central filament guides (350) are equidistantly spaced about the central axis (50).

[09] According to some examples, the filament winder (10) further comprises the core member (20); wherein the plurality of central filament guides (350) and the filament guide (150, 250) of the first filament-delivery member (100) or the second filament-delivery member (200) are configured to deliver filaments to cover the core member (20) without overlap of filaments and without defining gaps between the filaments.

[10] According to some examples, the first filament-delivery member (100) is provided with a single filament guide (150), and the second filament-delivery member (200) is provided with a single filament guide (250).

[11] According to some examples, each of the filament guides (150, 250, 350) comprises a spindle (152, 252, 352) configured to receive a filament bobbin (154, 254, 354).

[12] According to some examples, each of the filament guides (150, 250, 350) is configured to receive filament from a source external to the filament winder.

[13] According to another example, there is provided a method of winding filament comprising: providing a core member (20); providing a plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300), the plurality of filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) comprising a first filament- delivery member (100), a second filament-delivery member (200) and a central filament-delivery member (300) located between the first filament-delivery member (100) and the second filament-delivery member (200); disposing a first zero-degree filament layer onto the core member (20) by: displacing the second filament-delivery member (200) and the central filament- delivery member (300) along the core member (20) in a rotationally-static mode of operation and laying zero-degree filament onto the core member (20); displacing the first filament-delivery member (100) along the core member (20) in a rotating mode of operation and winding non- zero-degree filament around the zero-degree filaments, thereby trapping the zero-degree filaments. [14] According to some examples, the method comprises disposing a second zero-degree filament layer onto the core member (20) by: displacing the first filament-delivery member (100) and the central filament-delivery member (300) along the core member (20) in a rotationally- static mode of operation and laying zero-degree filament onto the core member (20); displacing the second filament-delivery member (200) along the core member (20) in a rotating mode of operation and winding non-zero-degree filament around the zero-degree filaments, thereby trapping the zero-degree filaments; wherein the filament-delivery members (100, 200, 300) are displaced in a first direction (51) when disposing the first zero-degree filament layer and in a second direction (52) when disposing the second zero-degree filament layer, the first direction (51) and the second direction (52) being opposite directions.

[15] According to another example, there is provided a filament-reinforced body (20), comprising: a main body (22), a filament cover (24) extending around the main body (22), the filament cover (24) comprising a zero-degree filament layer (26) and a non-zero-degree filament layer (28), wherein the non-zero-degree filament layer (28) traps the zero-degree filament layer (26).

[16] According to some examples, the filament-reinforced body (20) comprises a plurality of filament covers (24), each cover (24) comprising a zero-degree filament layer (26) and a non- zero-degree filament layers (28).

[17] According to some examples, the filament-reinforced body (20) comprises a continuous segment of filament (29) which extends through each of the plurality of filament covers (24).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[18] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 are perspective views of a core member around which filament is wound;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an exemplary filament winder;

Figure 5 is another plan view of the filament winder of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is yet another plan view of the filament winder of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a front view of a filament-delivery member of the filament winder of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a front view of another filament-delivery member of the filament winder of Figure 4;

Figure 9 illustrates a method of filament winding;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a filament-reinforced core member. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[19] The present disclosure is concerned with an improved filament winder. A filament winder is an apparatus for winding filament onto a workpiece or a mandrel.

[20] Figure 4 is a plan view of a filament winder 10 according to the present disclosure. The filament winder 10 is an apparatus for winding filament onto a core member 20. The core member 20 illustrated in Figure 4 by a dashed line is, for example, provided as a workpiece or a mandrel.

[21] The filament winder 10 comprises a plurality of filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300. The filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are moveably mounted on a support structure 12. The support structure 12 is provided, for example, in the form of a table or a framework.

[22] More particularly, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are movable between a first end 14 and a second end 16 of the support structure 12. The plurality of filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 is suitably mounted on the support structure 12 to enable such motion. For example, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 may be carried by a carriage connected to a robotic arm extending from the support structure 12. According to the present example, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are configured to move together.

[23] The filament winder 10 further comprises a pair of core supports 18. At each end 14, 16 of the support structure 12 there is provided a core support 18. The core supports 18 are provided, for example, as jig frames or gantries. The core member 20 is mounted on the core supports 18 and extends between the first end 14 and the second 16 end of the support structure 12.

[24] Filament is delivered (or ‘disposed’) onto the core member 20 by the plurality of filament- delivery members 100, 200, 300. Each filament wound onto the core member 20 by the filament winder 10 is characterised by a winding angle. The winding angle is a known parameter and has already been outlined with reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 3. It is therefore noted only briefly that the filament winder 10 defines a central axis 50 with respect to which the winding angle is determined. The central axis 50 is illustrated in the Figures using a dashed-dotted line.

[25] The filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are configured to travel along the central axis 50, i.e. along the core member 20 in use, and wind filament onto the core member 20. In particular, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are moveable along the central axis 50 in a first direction 51 and a second direction 52. The first direction 51 and the second direction 52 are opposite directions.

[26] The filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are arranged in series along the central axis 50. In other words, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are successively arranged with respect to the central axis 50. Moreover, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are each centred on the central axis 50. [27] Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of the filament winder 10. Figure 5 shows the filament- delivery members 100, 200, 300 of the filament winder 10 moving in the first direction 51 . Figure 6 shows the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 moving in the second direction 52.

[28] The plurality of filament-delivery members comprises a first filament-delivery member 100, a second filament-delivery member 200 and a third filament-delivery member 300. The first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are each rotatable about the central axis 50. The first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament- delivery member 200 are therefore also referred to as filament-delivery rotors 100, 200. The third filament-delivery member 300 is located between the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200. The third filament-delivery member 300 is therefore also referred to as a central filament-delivery member 300.

[29] The filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are configured to rotate or not rotate dependent on the direction of travel. As the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 move along the core member 20, the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are in a forward position (or ‘leading position’) or a rearward position (or ‘trailing position’). According to the present example, two filament-delivery members are in the leading position and one filament delivery member is in the trailing position. The two leading filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are configured to remain rotationally-stationary and deposit a zero-degree layer of filament. The trailing filament-delivery member 100, 200 is configured to rotate and trap the zero-degree layer of filament under a non-zero-degree layer of filament.

[30] According to Figure 5, the direction of travel of the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 corresponds to the first direction 51 . It follows that the second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament-delivery member 300 are leading with respect to the direction of travel. In other words, the first filament-delivery member 100 is in a rearward position and the second filament-delivery member 200 is in a forward position with respect to the direction of travel 51. The central filament delivery-member 300 is located between the other filament- delivery members 100, 200. The second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament- delivery member 300 remain rotationally-stationary and dispose a zero-degree layer of filament onto the core member 20. In particular, the second filament-delivery member 200 lays a zero- degree filament 201 onto the core member 20 and the central filament delivery member 300 lays a plurality of zero-degree filaments 301 onto the core member 20. [31] According to the direction of travel of Figure 5, the first filament-delivery member 100 corresponds to the trailing filament-delivery member. That is to say, the first filament-delivery member 100 follows the second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament-delivery member 300. The first filament-delivery member 100 traps the filament laid down by the second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament-delivery member 300. Suitably the first filament-delivery member 100 is configured to rotate when travelling in the first direction 51 , thus winding a non-zero-degree filament 102 onto the core member 20. The first filament-delivery member 100 is in a rearward position with respect to the direction of travel 51 , however is in a forward position with respect to the opposite direction of travel 52. Equally, the second filament- delivery member 200 is in a forward position with respect to the direction of travel 51 , but is in a rearward position with respect to the opposite direction of travel 52.

[32] According to Figure 6, the direction of travel corresponds to the second direction 52. It follows that the first filament-delivery member 100 and the central filament-delivery member 300 are leading with respect to the direction of travel. Accordingly, the first filament-delivery member 100 and the central filament-delivery member 300 remain rotationally-stationary and dispose a zero-degree layer of filament onto the core member 20. In particular, the first filament-delivery member 100 lays a zero-degree filament 101 onto the core member 20. As described before with respect to Figure 5, the central filament delivery member 300 lays the plurality of zero- degree filaments 301 onto the core member 20. The second filament-delivery member 200 delivers a non-zero-degree filament 202 trapping the zero-degree filaments 101 , 301 .

[33] For purposes of illustration, Figure 6 does not show the filament wound around the core member 20 in Figure 5. In practice, however, filament winding may include the process shown in both Figures 5 and 6 in any order.

[34] Figures 7 and 8 show the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300. Figure 7 is a plan view onto the first or second filament-delivery member 100, 200 which, according to the present example, are identical. Figure 8 is a plan view onto the central filament-delivery member 300.

[35] Each filament-delivery member 100, 200, 300 comprises a frame 120, 220, 320 and a rotor 140, 240, 340. The rotor 140, 240, 340 defines an aperture 142, 242, 342 which extends through the rotor 140, 240, 340 such that, in use, the core member 20 is locatable in the aperture 142, 242, 342 and extends through the rotor 140, 240, 340. [36] According to the present example, the central filament-delivery member 300 is provided with a rotor 340 despite remaining in a rotationally-static mode of operation for the examples described. The third filament-delivery member 300 may alternatively be provided without the rotor 340. By contrast, the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are configured to alternate between a rotating mode of operation and a rotationally-static mode of operation. In the rotating mode of operation, the respective filament- delivery member 100, 200 is configured to rotate about the central axis 50. In the rotationally- static mode of operation, the respective filament-delivery member 100, 200 is configured to remain rotationally static relative to the central axis 50. The rotationally-static mode of operation is also referred to as a non-rotating mode of operation.

[37] Each of the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 comprises at least one filament guide 150, 250, 350. The filament guides 150, 250, 350 are configured to guide filament from the filament-delivery member 100, 200, 300 onto the core member 20. Suitably the filament guides 150, 250, 350 are configured to feed filament from a source to the core member 20. According to the present example, each filament guide 150, 250, 350 comprises at least one spindle 152, 252, 352 for receiving a filament bobbin 154, 254, 354 carrying filament. According to other examples, the filament guides 150, 250, 350 are configured to receive filament from an external source, e.g. a filament bobbin not carried on the filament-delivery member but instead located at another location.

[38] The filament guides 150, 250 of the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are provided on the corresponding rotors 140, 240 such that the filament guides 150, 250 are rotatable about the central axis 50. The filament guide 350 of the third filament-delivery member 300 is also provided on the rotor 340, but rotation of the third filament guide 350 is not required for the exemplary application described herein.

[39] According to the present example, the first filament-delivery member 100 comprises a single filament guide 150. Similarly, the second filament-delivery member 200 comprises a single filament guide 250. The third filament-delivery member 300 comprises a plurality of filament guides 350 and, in particular, seven filament guides 350.

[40] Adjacent filament guides 350 of the third filament-delivery member 300 are equidistantly spaced with the exception of one pair of adjacent filament guides 350. The filament guides 350 of said pair have twice the spacing and a gap position 355 is defined between these filament guides 350. The spacing between filament guides may be measured using any suitable measure, such as angular separation. According to the present example, the filament guides 350 have a spacing of approximately 45 degrees, with the exception of one pair of adjacent filament guides 350 which have an angular spacing of 90 degrees. More generally, the third filament-delivery member 300 carries N filament guides 350, where N is a natural number equal to or greater than two. The N filament guides 350 are equidistantly spaced, with the exception of one pair of adjacent filament guides 350 which have twice the spacing. More particularly, the spacing is 360/(N+1) degrees and once the spacing is 2*360/(N+1) degrees.

[41] The filament guides 150, 250 of the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are configured to assume a parking position 155, 255 when the corresponding filament-delivery member 100, 200 is in the rotationally-static mode of operation. In the parking position 155, 255 the combination of the filament guide 150, 250 and the central filament guides 350 are equidistantly spaced about the central axis 50. Here equidistant spacing ‘about’ the central axis 50 refers to angular spacing about the central axis 50, as opposed to spacing along the central axis 50. In other words, the filament guide 150 of the first filament- delivery member 100 and the filament guides 350 of the central filament-delivery member 300 have uniform angular spacing when the first filament-delivery member 100 is in the parking position 155. Likewise, the filament guide 250 of the second filament-delivery member 200 and the filament guides 350 of the central filament-delivery member 300 have uniform angular spacing when the second filament-delivery member 200 is in the parking position 255.

[42] As shown in Figure 8, the gap position 355 of the central filament-delivery member 300 coincides with the location of the filament guide 150, 250 of the filament-delivery member 100, 200 shown in Figure 7. In combination, the filament guides 150, 350 of the first filament-delivery member 100 and the central filament-delivery member 300 are equidistantly spaced for purposes of laying filament onto the core member 20 when the first filament-delivery member 100 is in the parking position 155. Equally, in combination the filament guides 250, 350 of the second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament-delivery member 300 are equidistantly spaced when the filament guide 250 of the second-filament delivery member 200 assumes the parking position 255. That is to say, the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament 200 are configured to assume the parking position 155, 255 such that the filament guide 150, 250 coincides with the gap position 355.

[43] Figure 9 illustrates a method of operating the filament winder 10. [44] The method of operation comprises a step S100 of providing the core member 20. The method further comprises a step S110 of providing the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300.

[45] The method further comprises displacing the delivery members 100, 200, 300 along the core member in the first direction 51. The displacing of the delivery members 100, 200, 300 comprises a step S120 of displacing the second filament-delivery member 200 and a step S130 of displacing the central filament-delivery member 300 in the rotationally-static mode of operation. The displacing further comprises a step S140 of displacing the first filament-delivery member 100 in the rotating mode of operation. The method further comprises a step S150 of delivering filament onto the core member 20. Step S150 comprises delivering zero-degree filament from the second filament-delivery member 200 and the central filament. Step S150 further comprises winding non-zero-degree filament disposed by the first filament-delivery member 100 around the zero-degree filaments, thereby trapping the zero-degree filaments

[46] The method further comprises laying down a further layer of zero-degree filament onto the core member 20. This comprises inverting the direction of the travel of the filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 to the opposite direction of travel 52 and adjusting modes of operation of the first and second filament-delivery members 100, 200. More particularly, this comprises changing the first filament-delivery member 100 from the rotating mode of operation to the stationary mode of operation; changing the second filament-delivery member 200 from the stationary mode of operation to the rotating mode of operation; and displacing the filament- delivery members 100, 200, 300 along the core member in the second direction 52.

[47] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the core member 20 reinforced with filament. The core member 20 is therefore also referred to as a filament-reinforced body. The core member 20 may be obtained using the filament winder 10 and method described above.

[48] A main body 22 of the core member 20 has been provided with a filament cover 24 extending around the main body 22. The filament cover 24 comprises a zero-degree filament layer 26 and a non-zero-degree filament layer 28. The non-zero-degree filament layer 28 traps the zero-degree filament layer 26. A continuous segment of filament 29 extends through the zero-degree filament layer 26 and the non-zero-degree filament layer 28.

[49] According to some examples, multiple filament covers 24 are provided. The resulting coverage of the main body 22 comprises a plurality of zero-degree filament layers 26 and non- zero-degree filament layer 28. The zero-degree filament layers 26 and non-zero-degree filament layers 28 alternate such that a non-zero-degree filament layer 28 is provided between each pair of zero-degree filament layers 26. [50] A continuous segment of filament 29 extends through each of the plurality of filament covers 24. Where multiple filament covers 24 are provided, the operation mode of the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are swapped. As a result, a given filament 28 used to trap an underlying zero-degree layer 26 becomes a zero- degree filament for a successive filament cover 24. According to the present example, two such continuous segments of filament 29 are laid down onto the main body 22, one by the first filament-delivery member 100 and one by the second filament-delivery member 200.

[51] Each of the rotatable filament-delivery members, i.e. rotors, is configurable to trap filament laid down by the other filament-delivery members. That is to say, a given rotor may trap filament delivered from the other rotor and/or the central filament-delivery member. Moreover, the arrangement of filament-delivery members is symmetrical with respect to the central axis, in that a rotor is provided on either side of the central filament-delivery member. The arrangement of rotors is therefore independent of the direction of travel. As a result, it is possible to trap fibres irrespective of the direction of travel along the central axis. Where a first pass is performed in the first direction of travel to lay down and trap a first filament layer, a second pass in the second direction may be performed to lay down and trap a second filament layer.

[52] The central filament-delivery member is configured to remain rotationally static, i.e. configured not to rotate, during filament winding. As a result, filament delivered by the central filament-delivery member will describe a line parallel to the direction of travel of the member and, therefore, laid down at a winding angle of zero degrees. Zero-degree filament laid down by the central filament-delivery member may subsequently be trapped by filament laid down by at least one of the filament-delivery rotors.

[53] By configuring the central filament-delivery member to cooperate with another filament- delivery member in the rotationally-static mode, it is possible to achieve uniform distribution. More particularly, the central filament-delivery member and the rotationally-static rotor are arranged such that in combination the filaments delivered from both the central filament-delivery member and the rotationally-static rotor are equidistantly spaced.

[54] According to the above example, exactly three filament-delivery members 100, 200, 300 are provided. According to other examples, at least three filament-delivery members are provided.

[55] According to the present example, the core member 20 is straight. According to other examples, the core member 20 has a different shape, such as a curved shape. The filament winder 10 may also be utilised

[56] According to the present example, the first filament-delivery member 100 and the second filament-delivery member 200 are configured to lay a single filament 101 , 102, 201 , 202 onto the core member 20. According to other examples, each disposes multiple filaments onto the core member 20. [57] In summary, exemplary embodiments of a filament winder, a method of winding filament and a filament-reinforced body have been described. The described exemplary embodiments provide for an improved filament winder, method and body. Additionally, the described exemplary embodiments are convenient to manufacture and straightforward to use.

[58] The filament winder and the filament-reinforced body may be manufactured industrially and the method of winding filament may be utilised industrially. An industrial application of the example embodiments will be clear from the discussion herein.

[59] Although preferred embodiments) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.