Soluble manufacturing aid
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAndrew M. Zavada, Brandon D. Booth, Isbelia D. Cardona
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a method of forming a shaped structure. The method includes coupling a first section of a mold to a second section of the mold such that a mold cavity is defined, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the shaped structure and wherein at least one of the first section of the mold and the second section of the mold comprise a soluble material; at least partially filling the mold cavity with a curable polymer; and curing the curable polymer in the mold cavity to make the shaped structure.
Claims18
A method of forming a shaped structure, comprising:
- coupling a first section of a mold to a second section of the mold such that a mold cavity is defined,
- wherein a cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the shaped structure, and
- wherein the first section of the mold and the second section of the mold comprise a soluble material;
- at least partially filling the mold cavity with an uncured curable polymer;
- curing the uncured curable polymer in the mold cavity to make the shaped structures;
- removing the first section and the second section of the mold to expose the shaped structure,
- wherein removing of the first section and second section of the mold comprises dissolving the soluble material with a solvent;
- and
- attaching the shaped structure to a substrate comprising a discontinuity, wherein the shaped structure functions as a seal at the discontinuity.
A method of forming a shaped structure, comprising:
- coupling a mold comprising a body portion and a cavity surface to a substrate such that a mold cavity is defined between the cavity surface and the substrate,
- wherein the substrate comprises a first structural member having an outer surface, a second structural member having an outer surface and an edge surface, and a discontinuity between the first structural member and the second structural member,
- wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the shaped structure, and
- wherein the body portion comprises a soluble material;
- depositing a curable polymer into the cavity through at least one opening in the mold and onto the discontinuity;
- curing the curable polymer to form a cured polymer, wherein at least a portion of the curable polymer contacts the outer surface of the first structural member and the outer surface of the second structural member;
- and
- removing at least some of the body portion of the mold to expose the cured polymer,
- wherein the removing of at least some of the body portion of the mold comprises dissolving the soluble material with a solvent.
A method of forming a shaped structure, comprising:
- coupling a mold comprising a body portion and a cavity surface to a substrate such that a mold cavity is defined between the cavity surface and the substrate, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the shaped structure, wherein the body portion comprising a soluble material, wherein the soluble material comprises unmodified and modified wheat, tapioca, waxy maize, high amylase corn starch, or combinations thereof;
- depositing an uncured curable polymer into the cavity through an opening in the mold;
- and
- curing the uncured curable polymer to form the shaped structure,
- exposing the shaped structure by dissolving a portion of the mold with a solvent and removing a portion of the mold by mechanical force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.