# US 10,309,726 B2 · Hinged baffle for autoclave that deploys at a target temperature during a run cycle

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- Number: US 10,309,726 B2
- Document ID: US10309726B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/869,892
- Filed: 2015-09-29
- Published: 2017-03-30
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-29
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Keith Daniel Humfeld; Steven Shewchuk
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309726B2

## CPC

- F27D 19/00: Arrangements of controlling devices
- F27B 5/04: adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
- F27D 7/04: Circulating atmospheres by mechanical means
- F27D 7/06: Forming or maintaining special atmospheres or vacuum within heating chambers (supplying steam, vapour, gases or liquids F27D7/02)
- F27D 2019/0028: {Regulation}
- F27D: DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
- F27B: FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS

## Abstract

Apparatus and methods for operating an autoclave. One embodiment includes a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave. A release mechanism secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and automatically releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle, when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature, to alter airflow within the autoclave.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave; and
a latch that secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature to alter airflow within the autoclave.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the baffle attaches to a location within the autoclave with a hinge mechanism; and
the baffle is configured to pivot via the hinge mechanism from the retracted position to the deployed position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the latch includes a material that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the latch includes a material that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the latch includes a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material that has a first shape to secure the baffle in the retracted position, and transforms to a second shape at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a spring mechanism that loads when the baffle is secured in the retracted position, and applies a return force to pivot the baffle to the deployed position when released.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a stop that stops rotation of the baffle at the deployed position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:
the indicator includes a thermocouple wire installed in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle; and
the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position.

### Claim 10

An apparatus comprising:
an autoclave; and
at least one baffle element installed within the autoclave;
wherein the at least one baffle element includes:
a baffle;
a hinge mechanism that attaches the baffle to a surface inside of the autoclave, wherein the baffle is configured to pivot via the hinge mechanism from a retracted position to a deployed position to alter airflow within the autoclave; and
a latch that secures the baffle in the retracted position during a run cycle of the autoclave, and automatically releases the baffle to the deployed position during the run cycle when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one baffle element comprises:
a first baffle element installed inside of the autoclave at a first location; and
a second baffle element installed inside of the autoclave at a second location;
wherein the first baffle element and the second baffle element are configured to deploy at different target temperatures during the run cycle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the at least one baffle element is installed on a ceiling of the autoclave.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and
the latch includes a material that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and
the latch includes a material that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and
the latch includes a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material that has a first shape to secure the baffle in the retracted position, and transforms to a second shape at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the at least one baffle element includes:
a spring mechanism that loads when the baffle is secured in the retracted position, and applies a return force to pivot the baffle to the deployed position when released.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the at least one baffle element includes:
a stop that stops rotation of the baffle at the deployed position.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein:
the indicator includes a thermocouple wire installed in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle; and
the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position.

### Claim 20

A method of operating an autoclave, the method comprising:
performing a thermal-analysis of the autoclave;
selecting a location for a baffle element within the autoclave based on the thermal-analysis;
installing the baffle element at the location, wherein the baffle element includes a baffle that attaches to a location inside of the autoclave via a hinge mechanism, and that pivots between a retracted position and a deployed position via the hinge mechanism;
selecting a target temperature for deploying the baffle during a run cycle of the autoclave;
securing the baffle in the retracted position with a latch;
initiating the run cycle; and
releasing the baffle to the deployed position with the latch during the run cycle when a temperature inside the autoclave reaches the target temperature.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20 further comprising:
selecting the latch so that the latch changes state at the target temperature.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
selecting a material for the latch that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
selecting a material for the latch that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
selecting a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material for the latch that transforms shapes at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position.

### Claim 25 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20 further comprising:
installing an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25 wherein installing the indicator comprises:
installing a thermocouple wire in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle;
wherein the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position.

### Claim 27

A method of controlling heat within an autoclave, the method comprising:
initiating a run cycle of the autoclave; and
deploying a baffle within the autoclave during the run cycle from a retracted position to a deployed position to alter airflow within the autoclave and change heat transfer from the airflow to at least one region of a workpiece.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein deploying the baffle comprises:
automatically deploying the baffle during the run cycle when a temperature inside the autoclave reaches a target temperature.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28 further comprising:
selecting the target temperature for deploying the baffle based on a modeling of the heat transfer.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 further comprising:
modeling the heat transfer from the airflow within the autoclave to regions of the workpiece within the autoclave.

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 further comprising:
selecting a location for the baffle within the autoclave based on a modeling of the heat transfer; and
installing the baffle at the location, wherein the baffle attaches to a surface inside of the autoclave via a hinge mechanism, and pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position via the hinge mechanism.