Enhanced systems that facilitate vacuum bag curing of composite parts
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKeith Daniel Humfeld, Arthur August Rugtvedt, Jeffrey Lynn Duce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for enhancement of vacuum bagging processes for a composite part. One system includes dispensers configured to dispense materials onto a forming tool for a composite part, and a controller. The controller is able to identify a location for placing the composite part on the tool, and to direct the dispensers to lay up a laminate of constituent material for the composite part at the location. The controller is also able to direct the dispensers to spray vacuum bag material atop the laminate to form a vacuum bag that covers the laminate.
Claims20
A method for fabricating a composite part, the method comprising:
- identifying a location for placing the composite part on a forming tool;
- applying a sealant in the form of an adhesive chemical onto the tool that surrounds the location without intersecting the location;
- laying up a laminate of constituent material for the composite part at the location;
- spraying vacuum bag material atop the laminate and spraying vacuum bag material directly onto the sealant;
- changing solidification of the vacuum bag material by varying an exposure of the vacuum bag material to reacting gases in surroundings;
- and
- waiting for the vacuum bag material to solidify to form a vacuum bag that covers the laminate.
A method for fabricating a composite part, the method comprising:
- identifying a location for placing the composite part on a forming tool;
- applying a sealant in the form of a liquid adhesive chemical onto the tool that surrounds the location without intersecting the location;
- applying a mold release agent in the form of an aerosol spray at the location for placing the composite part on the forming tool;
- laying up a laminate of constituent material for the composite part at the location;
- spraying vacuum bag material atop the laminate and spraying vacuum bag material directly onto the sealant;
- changing solidification of the vacuum bag material by varying an exposure of the vacuum bag material to reacting gases in surroundings;
- and
- waiting for the vacuum bag material to solidify to form a vacuum bag that covers the laminate.
A method for fabricating a composite part, the method comprising:
- identifying a location for placing the composite part on a forming tool;
- applying a sealant in the form of a liquid adhesive chemical onto the tool that surrounds the location without intersecting the location;
- laying up a laminate of constituent material for the composite part at the location;
- spraying vacuum bag material atop the laminate and spraying vacuum bag material directly onto the sealant;
- changing solidification of the vacuum bag material by varying an exposure of the vacuum bag material to reacting gases in surroundings wherein the reacting gases comprise oxygen;
- and
- waiting for the vacuum bag material to solidify to form a vacuum bag that covers the laminate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.