# US 10,307,975 B2 · Resin-infusion process for composites manufacturing

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- Number: US 10,307,975 B2
- Document ID: US10307975B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/802,328
- Filed: 2015-07-17
- Published: 2017-01-19
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-07-17
- Assignees: Rohr, Inc.
- Applicants: Rohr, Inc.
- Inventors: John W. Robinson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307975B2

## CPC

- B29C 70/682: {Preformed parts characterised by their structure, e.g. form}
- B29C 70/48: and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum}
- B29C 70/548: {using distribution constructions, e.g. channels incorporated in or associated with the mould}
- B29L 2022/00: Hollow articles (tubular articles B29L2023/00; pneumatic tyres B29L2030/00)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A resin-infusion system for manufacture of a composite part includes an inflatable rigid bladder defining at least one infusion-flow medium and a preform lay-up formed on the bladder such that the infusion-flow medium defines space between the bladder and preform lay-up. The system also includes a mold into which the bladder and preform lay-up are placed such that the preform lay-up is constrained against the mold a resin injection system configured to feed resin into and to flow along the infusion-flow medium and then be infused into the preform lay-up. The bladder is configured to expand against the infused preform lay-up during curing such that the infusion-flow medium is smoothed resulting in a smooth surface of the finished part.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A resin-infusion system for manufacture of a composite part, the system comprising:
an inflatable rigid bladder defining at least one infusion-flow pathway on an outer surface thereof;
a preform lay-up formed on the bladder such that the infusion-flow pathway defines space between the bladder and preform lay-up;
a mold into which the bladder and preform lay-up are placed such that the preform lay-up is constrained against the mold; and
a resin injection system configured to feed resin into and to flow along the infusion-flow pathway and be infused into the preform lay-up;
wherein the bladder is configured to expand during an expansion process against the infused preform lay-up during consolidation and curing such that the infusion-flow pathway is flattened against the preform layup due to the expansion of the bladder resulting in a smooth surface of the finished part and the pathway is reformed when pressure is evacuated from the bladder after inflation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one infusion-flow pathway is integrally textured onto an outer surface of the bladder.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one infusion-flow pathway extends substantially linearly along the bladder from one end of the bladder to the other end of the bladder.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one infusion-flow pathway extends along the bladder in a non-parallel manner with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the bladder.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one infusion-flow pathway extends along the bladder at about forty-five degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one infusion-flow pathway winds completely about the bladder.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a transverse cross-section of the at least one infusion-flow pathway is substantially hemispherical.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one infusion pathway includes a first set of the infusion-flow pathways that are substantially parallel with respect to each other and, a second set of the infusion-flow pathways that are substantially parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular with respect to the first set of the infusion-flow pathways.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the resin is injected into the mold and a resin-feed cavity allows the injected resin to flow between the bladder and preform lay-up and feeds the resin into the infusion-flow medium for the flowing of the resin along the infusion-flow medium to infuse the preform lay-up.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein heat and pressure are applied to expand the bladder against the preform lay-up to flatten the at least one infusion-flow pathway.