# US 10,479,029 B2 · Composite forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,029 B2 - Document ID: US10479029B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/599,451 - Filed: 2015-01-16 - Published: 2016-07-21 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-16 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Tibor A. Koncz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479029B2 ## CPC - B29C 70/302: {Details of the edges of fibre composites, e.g. edge finishing or means to avoid delamination} - B29C 70/02: comprising combinations of reinforcements, {e.g. non-specified reinforcements, fibrous reinforcing inserts} and fillers, {e.g. particulate fillers}, incorporated in matrix material, forming one or more layers and with or without non-reinforced or non-filled layers {(combinations of fibrous reinforcement only B29C70/04; combinations of fillers only B29C70/58; combinations with non reinforcing inserts, e.g. foam blocks, B29C70/68)} - B29C 70/44: using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding - B29C 70/54: Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations {, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing} - B29C 70/541: {Positioning reinforcements in a mould, e.g. using clamping means for the reinforcement (positioning inserts in moulds B29C33/12; lay-up on a mould B29C70/30)} - B29C 33/22: by rectilinear movement - B29C 70/56: Tensioning reinforcements before or during shaping - B29L 2031/3076: {Aircrafts (blades, propellers B29L2031/08)} - 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 system and method for forming a composite structure. The apparatus comprises a base, a plate, a number of movement systems, and a number of sheets. The number of movement systems move one of the base and the plate relative to the other. The number of sheets is connected to the plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: laying up a number of composite plies onto a base and overlapping onto a plate, wherein: the number of composite plies is interleaved along a periphery with portions of a number of sheets laid up on the plate to form an overlap; and the number of sheets is connected to the plate; placing a drape directly over the number of composite plies and the number of sheets; and lowering the plate connected to the number of sheets to form the number of composite plies around an edge of the base, wherein as the plate is lowered, the number of sheets is progressively pulled from between each of the number of composite plies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: drawing a vacuum on the number of composite plies and the number of sheets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein lowering the plate connected to the number of sheets is performed while the number of composite plies and the number of sheets is under the vacuum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein drawing the vacuum on the number of composite plies and the number of sheets comprises pulling a vacuum under the drape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein lowering the plate connected to the number of sheets pulls the portions of the number of sheets from between each of the number of composite plies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: placing the number of composite plies on a base having a cavity, wherein the plate is associated with the cavity, and wherein lowering the plate connected to the number of sheets forms the number of composite plies to the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein forming the number of composite plies to the base includes forming a portion of the number of composite plies to the base within the cavity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: heating the number of composite plies to a forming temperature prior to lowering the plate. ### Claim 9 A method comprising: placing a first ply onto a base, the base having a number of cavities, wherein the first ply overlaps onto a plate; placing a portion of a first sheet onto the first ply; placing a second ply onto the first ply; connecting the first sheet to the plate; placing a drape directly over the first ply, the second ply, and the first sheet; drawing a vacuum under the drape; and lowering the plate, wherein the first sheet moves as the plate is lowered. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein lowering the plate connected to the first sheet pulls the portion of the first sheet from between the first ply and the second ply. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein lowering the plate forms the first sheet against the plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein lowering the plate connected to the first sheet forms the first ply and the second ply to the base. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein forming the first ply and the second ply to the base includes forming a portion of the first ply and a portion of the second ply to an edge of the base associated with a cavity of the number of cavities. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: heating the first ply and the second ply to a forming temperature prior to lowering the plate. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: laying up a plurality of composite plies onto a base and a plate, wherein: the plate is configured to move in a cavity; the plurality of composite plies overlaps the plate; the plate is disposed laterally adjacent the base; the plurality of composite plies and a plurality of sheets are interleaved along a periphery of the base; and the plurality of sheets is connected to the plate; placing a drape over the plurality of composite plies and the plurality of sheets; and lowering the plate in the cavity to form the plurality of composite plies around an edge of the base; wherein, the plurality of composite plies and the plurality of sheets have: a first respective configuration prior to lowering the plate; a second respective configuration during lowering of the plate, the second respective configuration including the plurality of sheets bent away from the plate, the second respective configuration different than the first respective configuration; and a third respective configuration after lowering the plate, the third respective configuration different than the second respective configuration, and the third respective configuration different than the first respective configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein, prior to lowering the plate, the plurality of composite plies and the plurality of sheets form an overlap in the periphery. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein, after lowering the plate, the plurality of composite plies and the plurality of sheets are not overlapped. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first respective configuration includes the plurality of composite plies and the plurality of sheets being substantially flat. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the second respective configuration further includes the plurality of composite plies bent toward the plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the third respective configuration includes: the plurality of composite plies bent around an edge of the base and toward the plate; and the plurality of sheets being substantially flat.