Systems and methods for forming composite structures using resin infusion
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWilliam L. Serencsits, Jessica O. Fry, Heather Wadsworth, David E. Reed
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for forming a composite structure includes a tool for infusing a dry preform with a resin. The tool includes a tool base and a tool lid. The tool base includes a base surface. The tool lid includes a lid surface. The system includes an adjustable stop that is positioned between the tool base and the tool lid. The base surface and the lid surface form a portion of a tool cavity. The tool lid is movable relative to the tool base to generate an internal pressure within the tool cavity. The adjustable stop controls a tool position of the tool lid relative to the tool base to achieve a predetermined value for the internal pressure.
Claims20
A system for forming a composite structure, the system comprising:
- a tool for infusing a dry preform with a resin, wherein the tool comprises:
- a tool base that comprises a base surface, the base surface forming a base portion of a tool cavity;
- and
- a tool lid that comprises a plurality of lid sections that form a lid surface, the lid surface forming a lid portion of the tool cavity, and each one of the lid sections is movable relative to the tool base in response to application of a press force for generating an interior pressure within the tool cavity;
- a plurality of adjustable stops that is positioned between the tool base and the tool lid and that is configured to react to the press force applied to the tool lid;
- and
- a controller that is in communication with the adjustable stop and that comprises a processor programmed to instruct the adjustable stops to independently adjust a position of each one of the lid sections relative to the tool base for maintaining the curing pressure over time in response to a reduction in a volume of the resin.
A tool for forming composite structure, the tool comprising:
- a tool base that comprises a base surface forming a base portion of a tool cavity;
- a tool lid that comprises a lid surface forming a lid portion of the tool cavity and that is movable relative to the tool base in response to application of a press force for generating an interior pressure within the tool cavity;
- an inflatable bladder that is positioned between the tool base and the tool lid and that is configured to:
- react to the press force applied to the tool lid;
- and
- adjust a position of the tool lid relative to the tool base in response to changes in at least one of the interior pressure, a dimension of a gap between the base surface and the lid surface, and a stop reaction force applied to the tool lid by the inflatable bladder in opposition to the press force for maintaining the curing pressure over time due to a reduction in a volume of the resin-infused preform.
A method for forming a composite structure, the method comprising steps of:
- placing a dry preform within a tool cavity of a tool formed by a tool base and a tool lid, the tool lid comprising a plurality of lid sections;
- applying a press force to the tool lid to move the tool lid toward the tool base;
- reacting to the press force with a plurality of adjustable stops located between the tool base and the tool lid;
- infusing the dry preform with a resin;
- and
- controlling the adjustable stops to independently adjust a position of the each one of the lid sections relative to the tool base for maintaining the curing pressure over time in response to a reduction in a volume of the resin-infused preform during cure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.