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US 11,951,658 B2Granted
Systems and methods for forming composite members
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsScott Edward Krajca, Darrell Darwin Jones, Paul Chace Wilcoxson, Kurtis S. Willden, Long Hoang Ly, Daniel R. Smith, Jr., Jeremy Justice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for manufacturing a composite member. The system and methods are configured to move different types of composite plies from different supply stations. The composite plies are moved along a conveyance member and then with a transfer station to a forming tool. One or more forming members form the composite plies onto the forming tool.
Claims20
A method of forming a composite member constructed from a plurality of composite plies, the method comprising:
- introducing first composite plies onto a conveyance member from a first supply station with the first supply station positioned at a first longitudinal end of the conveyance member and with a transfer station positioned at a second longitudinal end of the conveyance member positioned at a transfer station;
- introducing second composite plies onto the conveyance member from one or more second supply stations that are positioned away from the first supply station along one or both lateral sides of the conveyance member extending between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end;
- orienting the first and second composite plies on the conveyance member;
- transferring the first composite plies and the second composite plies from the conveyance member to the transfer station that is positioned at the second longitudinal end of the conveyance member;
- individually transferring each of the first and second composite plies to a forming tool at the transfer station;
- and
- forming the first and second composite plies on the forming tool;
- the first composite plies comprising different design variables than the second composite plies, with the design variables comprising one or more of material, fiber orientation, and ply widths.
5 more elements
A method of forming a composite member constructed from a plurality of composite plies, the method comprising:
- introducing composite plies onto a conveyance member in a single-file predetermined order from a plurality of supply stations with the supply stations each supplying a different type of the composite plies and with a first of the supply stations positioned at a first end of the conveyance member and a plurality of second supply stations positioned along one or more lateral sides extending from the first end of the conveyance member;
- moving each of the composite plies along the conveyance member in the single-file predetermined order and to a predetermined position beyond a second end opposite to the first end of the conveyance member;
- individually orienting the composite plies relative to one or more datums at the predetermined position beyond the second end of the conveyance member;
- when each of the composite plies reaches the predetermined position beyond the second end of the conveyance member, transferring the composite plies to a forming tool that is located away from the conveyance member;
- and
- forming the composite plies on the forming tool;
- wherein the different types of composite plies comprise one or more different materials, fiber orientations, and ply widths.
4 more elements
A method of forming a composite member constructed from a plurality of composite plies, the method comprising:
- introducing first composite plies onto a conveyance member from a first supply station with the first supply station positioned at a first longitudinal end of the conveyance member;
- introducing second composite plies onto the conveyance member from additional supply stations that are aligned on one or more lateral sides of the conveyance member at non-perpendicular orientations relative to the conveyance member, with the one or more lateral sides extending from the first longitudinal end of the conveyance member;
- moving the first composite plies and the second composite plies along the conveyance member;
- transferring the first composite plies and the second composite plies from the conveyance member to a transfer station that is positioned at a second longitudinal end of the conveyance member;
- individually transferring each of the first and second composite plies to a forming tool at the transfer station;
- and
- forming the first and second composite plies on the forming tool;
- the first composite plies being comprising different design variables than the second composite plies with the design variables comprising one or more of material, fiber orientation, and ply widths.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.