Vacuum bag-less composite repair systems and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJohn F. Spalding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described are methods and systems for repair of composite components without the use of vacuum bagging. The systems described herein include a composite repair structure with a repair laminate and a film sealant. The film sealant covers the repair laminate to prevent intrusion of air and other volatiles during bonding of the composite repair structure to the composite being repaired. As the film sealant prevents intrusion of air and other volatiles, the composite repair structure can be bonded to the structure to be repaired without the use of a vacuum bag. Thus, vehicle components can be repaired without disassembly from the vehicle.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- forming a composite repair structure, wherein the composite repair structure comprises a repair laminate, wherein the repair laminate comprises a resin with a resin minimum viscosity temperature, wherein the forming the composite repair structure comprises applying a film sealant with a sealant minimum viscosity temperature to a first surface of the repair laminate, wherein the sealant minimum viscosity temperature is higher than the resin minimum viscosity temperature, and wherein the sealant minimum viscosity temperature is a temperature where the resin at least partially gels;
- coupling the composite repair structure to a vehicle structure;
- and
- curing and/or bonding the composite repair structure to the vehicle structure by:
- providing a positive pressure to the composite repair structure coupled to the vehicle structure;
- and
- increasing the temperature of the resin from the resin minimum viscosity temperature, where the film sealant prevents air intrusion into the repair laminate, to the sealant minimum viscosity temperature, where the at least partially gelled resin prevents air intrusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.