# US 12,005,665 B2 · Device for manufacturing a stiffened panel making it possible to control the geometry of said stiffened panel, and method for manufacturing a stiffened panel using said device

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- Number: US 12,005,665 B2
- Document ID: US12005665B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/064,664
- Filed: 2022-12-12
- Published: 2023-06-15
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-14
- Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH
- Applicants: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
- Inventors: Jago Pridie
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005665B2

## CPC

- B29D 99/0014: {provided with ridges or ribs, e.g. joined ribs}
- B29C 51/261: {Handling means, e.g. transfer means, feeding means (B29C51/44 takes precedence)}
- B29C 70/30: Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
- B29C 70/44: using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding
- B29C 70/446: {Moulding structures having an axis of symmetry or at least one channel, e.g. tubular structures, frames}
- B29C 70/46: using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
- B29C 70/543: {Fixing the position or configuration of fibrous reinforcements before or during moulding (for non-woven fabrics D04H3/08)}
- B29K 2105/12: of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
- B29K 2105/253: {Preform}
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- 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)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

## Abstract

A device for manufacturing a stiffened panel with reinforcements which each have a final thickness and a final height. The manufacturing device includes tools configured to each support a preform of fibers having a U-shaped or C-shaped cross section with a base and two wings. Each tool comprises, at at least one of its first and second lateral faces, a set-back portion which, when two tools are juxtaposed, delimits a recess configured to form a reinforcement during a consolidation or polymerization step. The tools are dimensioned such that each recess has a width, at the consolidation or polymerization temperature, that is substantially equal to the thickness of the reinforcements. This solution makes it possible to more effectively control the geometry of the stiffened panel by avoiding the formation of beads. A method for manufacturing a stiffened panel using the device is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for manufacturing a stiffened panel comprising a panel and reinforcements which each have a final thickness and a final height, the device comprising
at least one support having a bearing surface, and
tools which are configured to each support a preform of fibers having a U-shaped or C-shaped cross section with a base and two wings, each tool having a first face configured to receive the base of the preform of fibers, a second face configured to be positioned against the bearing surface of the support and first and second lateral faces which connect the first and second faces and which are configured to contact the two wings of the preform of fibers, at least one of the first and second lateral faces having a set-back portion which, when two tools are juxtaposed, defines a recess opening out at the first faces and configured to form one of the reinforcements during a consolidation or polymerization step, each tool being subjected, in operation, to a first temperature and then to a second temperature greater than the first temperature during the consolidation or polymerization step, wherein the tools are dimensioned such that each recess has a width at the second temperature that is substantially equal to the final thickness of the reinforcement to be formed in the recess
wherein each tool comprises, only at each set-back portion, an expandable coating configured to selectively expand toward an end edge face of one of the two wings as a function of temperature.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 1, wherein each tool comprises a first dimension, measured in a transverse plane, separating the first face and the set-back portion, the first dimension having a first value at the first temperature and a second value at the second temperature, and wherein the expandable coating and the first dimension of the tool are determined such that wings of the preforms of fibers that are positioned in line with the set-back portion are in contact with the expandable coating at the second temperature during the consolidation or polymerization step.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 2, wherein the expandable coating is configured to no longer expand when it is in contact with the wings during the consolidation or polymerization step.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 1, wherein the expandable coating is non-reversible.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 4, wherein the expandable coating comprises a repositionable adhesive layer for connecting it to the tool.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 1, wherein each tool comprises, at the set-back portion, a second dimension measured in a transverse plane and corresponding to a width of the set-back portion, the second dimension having a third value at the first temperature and a fourth value at the second temperature, and wherein the third value of the second dimension is greater than the final thickness of the reinforcement to be formed in line with the set-back portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device for manufacturing a stiffened panel according to claim 6, wherein the second dimension is determined such that the fourth value is substantially equal to the final thickness of the reinforcement to be formed in line with the set-back portion.