Advanced multiple grid heat sources to achieve optimized cure structure and method of making the same
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMoushumi Shome, Aloke K. Pal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite structure curing system employs a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure. A control system receives an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors and is adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure.
Claims21
A composite structure curing system comprising:
- a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured;
- a plurality of temperature sensors mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure;
- and,
- a control system receiving an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, said control system adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure, wherein the composite structure incorporates a plurality of placed fibers and at least one of said plurality of temperature sensors is associated with each of the plurality of placed fibers to sense temperature of each placed fiber.
A method for controlling cure temperature of a composite structure comprising:
- mounting a plurality of heaters in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured;
- applying heat from the plurality of heaters;
- mounting a plurality of temperature sensors on the composite structure;
- sensing applied heat at a plurality of locations with the plurality of temperature sensors wherein at least one of said plurality of temperature sensors id associated with each of a plurality of placed fibers to sense temperature of each placed fiber;
- and
- controlling power to each of the plurality of heaters responsive to the plurality of temperature sensors with a control system receiving an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, said control system adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure.
A composite structure curing system comprising:
- a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured;
- a plurality of temperature sensors mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure;
- and,
- a control system receiving an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, said control system adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are mounted to sense surface temperature of the composite structure and the control system is further configured to convert surface temperature of each temperature sensor to an inner ply temperature and said predetermined temperature profile is established as an inner ply temperature profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.