# US 11,897,209 B2 · Composite forming apparatus, system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,209 B2 - Document ID: US11897209B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/460,835 - Filed: 2021-08-30 - Published: 2023-03-02 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-30 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Kurtis S. Willden; Marc R. Matsen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897209B2 ## CPC - B29C 70/342: {using isostatic pressure} - B29C 70/56: Tensioning reinforcements before or during shaping - B29C 35/0805: {using electromagnetic radiation} - B29C 70/38: Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns {(application heads for tyres B29D30/28)} - B29C 70/388: {Tape placement heads, e.g. component parts, details or accessories} - B29C 70/541: {Positioning reinforcements in a mould, e.g. using clamping means for the reinforcement (positioning inserts in moulds B29C33/12; lay-up on a mould B29C70/30)} - B29C 70/543: {Fixing the position or configuration of fibrous reinforcements before or during moulding (for non-woven fabrics D04H3/08)} - B29C 35/0288: {Controlling heating or curing of polymers during moulding, e.g. by measuring temperatures or properties of the polymer and regulating the process (controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physico- chemical processes in general B01J19/0006)} - B29C 35/16: Cooling {(cooling extruded material B29C48/911; cooling preforms for blow moulding B29C49/6427; cooling blown articles B29C49/66; cooling tyres during post cure inflation B29D30/0643)} - B29C 2035/0811: {using induction} - B29D 99/0003: {Producing profiled members, e.g. beams} - B29L 2031/3076: {Aircrafts (blades, propellers B29L2031/08)} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A composite forming apparatus includes an end effector, a forming feature that is coupled to the end effector, and a heating element that is coupled to the forming feature to heat the forming feature. The end effector moves the forming feature relative to a composite ply to form the composite ply over a forming tool or over a prior formed composite ply. The forming feature heats the composite ply via conduction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composite forming apparatus comprising: an end effector; a forming feature that is coupled to the end effector; and a heating element that is coupled to the forming feature to heat the forming feature, wherein: the end effector moves the forming feature relative to a composite ply to form the composite ply over a forming tool or over a prior formed composite ply; and the forming feature heats the composite ply via conduction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is located within the forming feature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the forming feature comprises a bladder; and the bladder is inflatable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming feature comprises a wiper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming feature comprises a finger. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling element that cools the forming feature, wherein heat is transferred from the composite ply to forming feature via conduction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The composite forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cooling element comprises: a channel extending through the forming feature; and a fluid that passes through the channel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of at least one of the forming feature and the composite ply. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The composite forming apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a control unit that is coupled to the heating element and the temperature sensor, wherein the control unit selectively controls the heating element based on at least one of a temperature signal provided by the temperature sensor and an amperage supplied to the heating element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ply support member that is movable relative to the forming tool and relative to the forming feature to support a portion of the composite ply that extends beyond an edge of the forming tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The composite forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein the ply support member heats the portion of the composite ply via conduction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a resistive heater. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is an induction heater. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The composite forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the bladder comprises a tubular body, comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface; and the heating element is coupled to the interior surface or is located between the interior surface and the exterior surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming feature is made of a fluoroelastomer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming feature is made of silicone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The composite forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cooling element is located within the forming feature. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The composite forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor is a contact temperature sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The composite forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The composite forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stomp foot that is movable relative to the end effector to press the composite ply against the forming tool or against the prior formed composite ply.