Peen-forming of thermoplastic composite material
AssigneeSpirit AeroSystems, Inc.
InventorMark Anthony Wadsworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for peen-forming of thermoplastic composite material is provided. The system includes a tool, a heater, and a peen-forming device. The thermoplastic composite material is positioned on the tool, which supports the thermoplastic composite material as it is being process. The tool has a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform. The heater is configured to heat the thermoplastic composite material while it is positioned on the tool to make the thermoplastic composite material more malleable. The peen-forming device directs particles against the thermoplastic composite material positioned on the tool so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool.
Claims19
A method of peen-forming a thermoplastic composite material, the method comprising:
- positioning the thermoplastic composite material on a tool having a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform;
- heating the thermoplastic composite material;
- directing particles against the thermoplastic composite material so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool;
- and
- adjusting at least one of a rate of particles directed against the thermoplastic composite material, a temperature of the particles, a temperature of air around the particles, a temperature of a heater, or a movement of the thermoplastic composite material in order to achieve a desired cooling rate of the thermoplastic composite material.
A method of peen-forming a thermoplastic composite material, the method comprising:
- supporting the thermoplastic composite material on a tool comprising a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform;
- heating the thermoplastic composite material;
- launching particles at the thermoplastic composite material, via a peen-forming device, so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool;
- and
- cooling the thermoplastic composite material while the thermoplastic composite material is being struck by the particles.
A method of peen-forming a thermoplastic composite material, the method comprising:
- supporting the thermoplastic composite material on a tool comprising a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform;
- heating the thermoplastic composite material;
- accelerating particles at the thermoplastic composite material, via a rotary brush having cords to which the particles are attached, so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool;
- and
- cooling the thermoplastic composite material while the thermoplastic composite material is being struck by the particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.