Actuatable flow media

A method of infusing resin into a composite preform, comprising:

• providing a tool having an upper tool surface;
• locating a composite preform on the upper tool surface;
• locating a permeable film on the composite preform;
• placing a vacuum bagging film over the upper tool surface to cover the composite preform and the permeable film;
• sealing the vacuum bagging film relative to the upper tool surface to define a sealed resin infusion chamber between the upper tool surface and the vacuum bagging film;
• providing a resin supply having a resin supply inlet;
• positioning an actuatable flow media on the resin supply inlet, the actuatable flow media including:
• a base defining multiple base cavities;
• at least one aperture formed in each base cavity defining a first liquid flow path from the resin supply inlet into the actuatable flow media, the at least one aperture being located over the resin supply inlet;
• a flexible membrane arranged in spaced relation with the base and defining a second liquid flow path through the actuatable flow media into the infusion chamber;
• and
• an elastically deformable element arranged in each base cavity and extending between the base and the flexible membrane for actuation between at least a first configuration, in which the elastically deformable element is substantially undeformed and the first liquid flow path is open, and a second configuration in which the elastically deformable element is substantially deformed and the first liquid flow path is closed;
• providing a resin flow path from the resin supply to the sealed resin infusion chamber through the actuatable flow media;
• actuating the actuatable flow media to selectively close and open the first liquid flow path to control a flow rate of resin flowing into the sealed resin infusion chamber;
• and
• applying at least partial vacuum pressure to the sealed resin infusion chamber to draw resin from the resin supply through the resin flow path, thereby infusing the composite preform with resin.

A method of infusing resin into a composite preform, comprising:

• providing a tool having an upper tool surface;
• locating a composite preform on the upper tool surface;
• locating a permeable film on the composite preform;
• locating an actuatable flow media on the permeable film, the actuatable flow media including:
• a base defining multiple base cavities;
• at least one aperture formed in each base cavity defining a first liquid flow path for entry of liquid into or exit of liquid from the actuatable flow media;
• a flexible membrane arranged in spaced relation with the base and defining a second liquid flow path through the actuatable flow media;
• and
• an elastically deformable element arranged in each base cavity and extending between the base and the flexible membrane for actuation between at least a first configuration, in which the elastically deformable element is substantially undeformed and the first liquid flow path is open, and a second configuration in which the elastically deformable element is substantially deformed and the first liquid flow path is closed;
• placing a vacuum bagging film over the upper tool surface to cover the composite preform, permeable film, and actuatable flow media;
• sealing the vacuum bagging film relative to the upper tool surface to define a sealed resin infusion chamber between the upper tool surface and the vacuum bagging film;
• providing a resin supply;
• providing a resin flow path from the resin supply to the sealed resin infusion chamber, through the actuatable flow media and through the composite preform, to a resin outlet;
• applying at least partial vacuum pressure to the resin outlet to draw resin from the resin supply through the resin flow path, thereby infusing the composite preform with resin;
• and
• actuating the actuatable flow media to selectively close and open the first liquid flow path, thereby to control the a rate of resin flowing through the actuatable flow media and into the composite preform.