Conformable induction coils for induction joining
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc Rollo Matsen, Robert James Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for joining parts. A plurality of conformable induction coils embedded in a number of elastomeric sheets is positioned relative to a first composite part of the parts and a second composite part of the parts. A magnetic field is generated with the plurality of conformable induction coils. The magnetic field is configured to generate heat in a magnetically permeable material at a joint location. The heat joins the first composite part and the second composite part to each other.
Claims17
A method for joining parts, the method comprising:
- positioning a plurality of conformable induction coils embedded in a number of elastomeric sheets relative to a first composite part of the parts and a second composite part of the parts;
- and
- generating a magnetic field with the plurality of conformable induction coils, wherein the magnetic field is configured to generate heat in a magnetically permeable material at a joint location, wherein the heat joins the first composite part and the second composite part to each other;
- wherein the magnetically permeable material comprises wires, and wherein embedding the magnetically permeable material in a thermoplastic material comprises embedding the wires such that the wires are directed orthogonal to the plurality of conformable induction coils.
A method for joining a first composite part and a second composite part, the method comprising:
- embedding a plurality of conformable induction coils in a number of elastomeric sheets;
- configuring a magnetically permeable material to generate heat when exposed to a magnetic field;
- wherein the magnetically permeable material comprises wires embedded in a thermoplastic material;
- and
- wherein the wires are directed orthogonal to the plurality of conformable induction coils.
A method for joining a first composite part and a second composite part, the method comprising:
- embedding a plurality of conformable induction coils in a number of elastomeric sheets;
- positioning a number of conductive plates relative to a joint location between the first composite part and the second composite part such that a magnetic field is present in a desired area;
- and
- configuring wires embedded in a thermoplastic material to generate heat when exposed to a magnetic field, and wherein the wires are directed orthogonal to the plurality of conformable induction coils;
- wherein the plurality of conformable induction coils comprise a plurality of lengths of Litz wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.