Resin application tip for a cut edge
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJohn Walter Pringle, IV, Martin Hanna Guirguis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for applying resin to a cut edge of a composite structure, the cut edge having exposed carbon fibers. The method comprises scanning the cut edge of the composite structure with a vision system to form scanned data. The method further determines an application path for the cut edge of the composite structure using the scanned data. The method also applies the resin to the cut edge of the composite structure by controlling movement of an application tip along the application path using a controller.
Claims18
A method of applying resin to a cut edge of a composite structure, the cut edge having exposed carbon fibers, and the method comprising:
- scanning the cut edge of the composite structure with a vision system to form scanned data;
- determining an application path along the cut edge of the composite structure using the scanned data;
- applying the resin to the cut edge of the composite structure by a controller controlling moving an orifice dispensing a resin from an application tip along the application path;
- flowing, from a first end of the application tip to a second end of the application tip, the resin through the application tip, wherein-the application tip comprises:
- an exterior surface comprising a circular cross section;
- an indentation, for a first length along a longitudinal axis of the application tip shorter than a second length of the application tip, the indentation extending from the exterior surface inwardly and comprising an orifice comprising a third length, shorter than the first length, and located within the indentation;
- and
- the second end the second end comprising a semi-spherical interior surface extending radially inwardly perpendicular to the orifice.
A method of applying resin to a cut edge of a composite structure, the cut edge having exposed carbon fibers, and the method comprising:
- forming a moving nip using the cut edge by placing an application tip in contact with the cut edge;
- flowing, from a first end of the application tip to a second end of the application tip, the resin onto the cut edge, the application tip comprising:
- an exterior surface comprising a circular cross section;
- an indentation, for a first length along a longitudinal axis of the application tip shorter than a second length of the application tip, the indentation extending from the exterior surface inwardly and comprising an orifice comprising a third length, shorter than the first length, and located within the indentation
- forming, using the moving nip, an exterior shape of the resin via a controller controlling moving an orifice, dispensing a resin from the application tip, relative to the cut edge;
- and
- the second end comprising a semi-spherical interior surface extending radially inwardly perpendicular to the orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.