Systems and methods for joining a first structure and a second structure with vacuum dispersion process
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJoseph L. Hafenrichter, Gary E. Georgeson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example method of joining a first structure and a second structure is described that includes forming a bond cavity between a first structure and a second structure, placing a semi-permeable breather material at one or more exits of the bond cavity, placing a vacuum bag around the bond cavity and the semi-permeable breather material, evacuating the bond cavity via a vacuum port and forcing adhesive into the bond cavity via an adhesive port while the bond cavity is evacuated, and curing the adhesive via one or more heaters to bond the first structure to the second structure.
Claims20
A method of joining a first structure and a second structure, the method comprising:
- forming a bond cavity between a first structure and a second structure;
- placing a semi-permeable breather material at one or more exits of the bond cavity;
- placing perforated adhesive tape over the semi-permeable breather material to allow vacuum through and to block flow of adhesive;
- placing a vacuum bag around the bond cavity and the semi-permeable breather material;
- evacuating the bond cavity via a vacuum port and forcing the adhesive into the bond cavity via an adhesive port while the bond cavity is evacuated;
- and
- curing the adhesive via one or more heaters to bond the first structure to the second structure.
A method of joining a first structure and a second structure, the method comprising:
- forming a bond cavity between a first structure and a second structure;
- placing a semi-permeable breather material at one or more exits of the bond cavity;
- placing a vacuum bag around the bond cavity and the semi-permeable breather material;
- evacuating the bond cavity via a vacuum port and forcing adhesive into the bond cavity via an adhesive port while the bond cavity is evacuated;
- detecting, that the adhesive fills the bond cavity, via a fill sensor disposed at least partially in the semi-permeable breather material;
- and
- curing the adhesive via one or more heaters to bond the first structure to the second structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.