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US 11,529,771 B2Granted
Tool assembly for composite part fabrication
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMichael P. Matlack, Dylan E. Polus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of heating a tool assembly includes the step of joining a first piece of the tool assembly with a second piece of the tool assembly via a first joint portion and a second joint portion. The method further includes the step of inserting a fastener through the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the tool assembly. The method further includes the step of applying heat to the tool assembly, wherein upon heating, interlock surfaces of the first joint portion and the second joint portion tighten against each other.
Claims20
A method of heating a tool assembly, the method comprising steps of:
- joining a first piece of the tool assembly with a second piece of the tool assembly via a first joint portion and a second joint portion, wherein the first joint portion comprises a top surface and at least a first interlock surface, the first interlock surface configured to interface with the second piece responsive to the first piece being joined to the second piece;
- inserting a fastener through the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the tool assembly, wherein the fastener comprises a spring-loaded device, comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured to compress along a first axis responsive to thermal expansion of the tool assembly, wherein the first axis is parallel to a first surface, defined by the top surface, wherein a second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the second axis intersects the top surface, the first interlock surface, and the fastener;
- applying composite material onto the top surface, the top surface configured to support formation of a composite part and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of the composite part;
- and
- applying heat to the tool assembly and the composite material, wherein upon heating, interlock surfaces of the first joint portion and the second joint portion tighten against each other.
2 more elements
A method of applying composite material to a tool assembly, the method comprising:
- joining a first piece of the tool assembly with a second piece of the tool assembly via a first joint portion and a second joint portion, wherein the tool assembly comprises a layup surface, wherein the first joint portion comprises at least a first interlock surface, the first interlock surface configured to interface with the second piece responsive to the first piece being joined to the second piece, wherein a fastener couples the first joint portion with the second joint portion, the fastener comprises a spring-loaded device, comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured to compress along a first axis responsive to thermal expansion of the tool assembly, wherein the first axis is parallel to a first surface, defined by the layup surface, wherein a second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the second axis intersects the layup surface, the first interlock surface, and the fastener;
- and
- applying the composite material onto the layup surface, the layup surface configured to support formation of a composite part and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of the composite part, wherein the composite material, applied onto the layup surface, defines a working part.
A method of making a tool assembly, the method comprising steps of:
- forming a first joint portion of a first piece of the tool assembly using an additive manufacturing process, the first joint portion comprising a top surface and at least a first interlock surface;
- forming a second joint portion of a second piece of the tool assembly using the additive manufacturing process, the second joint portion comprising a second top surface and at least a second interlock surface that is complementary to the first interlock surface;
- joining the first piece with the second piece;
- inserting a fastener through the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the tool assembly, wherein the fastener comprises a spring-loaded device, comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured to compress along a first axis responsive to thermal expansion of the tool assembly, wherein the first axis is parallel to a first surface, defined by the top surface, wherein a second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the second axis intersects the top surface, the first interlock surface, and the fastener;
- and
- applying composite material onto the top surface, the top surface configured to support formation of a composite part and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of the composite part.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.