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US 12,318,987 B2Granted
Method for consolidating a bulk molding compound
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorWeidong Song
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and an apparatus are presented. A bulk molding compound is consolidated by sending the bulk molding compound through a die breaker and an extrusion die of a consolidation system.
Claims24
A method comprising:
- consolidating a bulk molding compound by:
- loading the bulk molding compound into a compression chamber of a consolidation system, the compression chamber formed between a piston and a die breaker, the piston sealing a first end of the consolidation system, the die breaker separating the compression chamber from a relaxation chamber of the consolidation system, the relaxation chamber formed between the die breaker and an extrusion die connected to a second end of the consolidation system opposite the first end, wherein a plug seals the second end blocking an opening of the extrusion die;
- degassing the bulk molding compound by applying a vacuum to the bulk molding compound within the consolidation system and evacuating gases from the compression chamber and the relaxation chamber;
- and
- sending the bulk molding compound through the die breaker and the extrusion die of the consolidation system, the bulk molding compound forcing the plug out of the opening of the extrusion die and maintaining the vacuum within the consolidation system.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- heating a bulk molding compound to form a heated bulk molding compound;
- loading the heated bulk molding compound into a compression chamber of a consolidation system, the compression chamber formed between a piston and a die breaker, the piston sealing a first end of the consolidation system and the die breaker separating the compression chamber from a relaxation chamber of the consolidation system, the relaxation chamber formed between the die breaker and an extrusion die connected to a second end of the consolidation system opposite the first end, wherein a plug seals the second end blocking an opening of the extrusion die;
- degassing the heated bulk molding compound by applying a vacuum to the heated bulk molding compound within the consolidation system and evacuating gases from the compression chamber and the relaxation chamber;
- pressing the heated bulk molding compound with the piston through the die breaker and into the relaxation chamber to form a pressed material;
- and
- extruding the pressed material through an extrusion die of the consolidation system, the pressed material forcing the plug out of the opening of the extrusion die and maintaining the vacuum within the consolidation system.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- heating a bulk molding compound to form a heated bulk molding compound;
- loading the heated bulk molding compound into a compression chamber of a consolidation system, the compression chamber formed between a piston and a die breaker, the piston sealing a first end of the consolidation system and the die breaker separating the compression chamber from a relaxation chamber of the consolidation system, the relaxation chamber formed between the die breaker and an extrusion die connected to a second end of the consolidation system opposite the first end, wherein a plug seals the second end blocking an opening of the extrusion die;
- degassing the heated bulk molding compound by applying a vacuum to the heated bulk molding compound within the consolidation system and evacuating gases from the compression chamber and the relaxation chamber;
- consolidating the heated bulk molding compound after degassing, in which consolidating comprises pressing the heated bulk molding compound through the die breaker to form a pressed material by driving the piston towards the extrusion die;
- relaxing the pressed material in the relaxation chamber;
- and
- extruding the pressed material through an extrusion die of the consolidation system after relaxing the pressed material, the pressed material forcing the plug out of the opening of the extrusion die and maintaining the vacuum within the consolidation system.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.