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US 11,993,031 B2Granted
Carbonization shape forming of oxidized PAN fiber preform
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsJohn S. Linck, Katherine E. Waugh
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Abstract
A single stage OPF-to-carbon preform shape forming method includes positioning an oxidized PAN fiber preform with a female forming tool, positioning a vacuum bag over the oxidized PAN fiber preform, and vacuum forming the oxidized PAN fiber preform into a shaped body. The vacuum formed shaped body (while still in the shape forming fixture) may be loaded into a carbonization furnace and carbonized. The vacuum bag may be burned away in the carbonization furnace during carbonization.
Claims9
A method for manufacturing a C/C part, the method comprising:
- positioning an oxidized PAN fiber preform with a female forming tool, the female forming tool comprising a die recess;
- positioning a vacuum bag over the oxidized PAN fiber preform;
- forming the oxidized PAN fiber preform into a shaped body;
- loading the female forming tool and the shaped body into a carbonization furnace;
- and
- carbonizing the shaped body with the carbonization furnace, and the vacuum bag is burned away in the carbonization furnace during the carbonizing;
- wherein the forming step comprises:
- evacuating air from between the vacuum bag and the female forming tool to press the oxidized PAN fiber preform against the die recess of the female forming tool with the vacuum bag.
5 more elements
A method for manufacturing a C/C part, the method comprising:
- positioning an oxidized PAN fiber preform with a female forming tool, the female forming tool comprising a die recess;
- positioning a vacuum bag over the oxidized PAN fiber preform;
- forming the oxidized PAN fiber preform into a shaped body by evacuating air from between the vacuum bag and the female forming tool to press the oxidized PAN fiber preform against the female forming tool with the vacuum bag;
- moving a first plug at least partially into the die recess and over the vacuum bag, the oxidized PAN fiber preform disposed between the first plug and the female forming tool;
- moving a second plug at least partially into the die recess and over the vacuum bag, the oxidized PAN fiber preform disposed between the second plug and the female forming tool;
- moving a wedge between and against the first plug and the second plug along a first axis;
- loading the female forming tool and the shaped body into a carbonization furnace;
- placing an external load on top of the wedge, the external load biasing the wedge toward the female forming tool;
- and
- carbonizing the shaped body with the carbonization furnace, and the vacuum bag is burned away in the carbonization furnace during the carbonizing.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.