US 12,552,113 B2 · Blade stringer forming methods and tooling

Abstract

A first cut and kitted material is held against a first flange face of a first die. A second cut and kitted material is held against a second flange face of a second die. The method simultaneously forms the first cut and kitted material against a first blade face of the first die and the second cut and kitted material against a second blade face of the second die. The first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material are clamped between the first die and the second die after forming the first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material. A composite stringer preform comprising the first cut and kitted material, the second cut and kitted material, a noodle, and a base material is cured while the composite stringer preform is against the first forming surface and the second forming surface.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A forming and curing tool for a blade stringer, the forming and curing tool comprising:

a first die with a number of first vacuum paths extending through the first die and a first forming surface comprising a first blade face and a first flange face;
a second die with a number of second vacuum paths extending through the second die and a second forming surface comprising a second blade face facing the first blade face and a second flange face;
a first clamp block configured to clamp a first cut and kitted material between the first clamp block and the first flange face;
a second clamp block configured to clamp a second cut and kitted material between the second clamp block and the second flange face:
a tool lid configured to seal against the first die and the second die to create a curing chamber;
and
a press configured to hold and move the first die, the second die, and the tool lid relative to each other.

4 more elements

A method of forming a blade stringer, the method comprising:

holding a first cut and kitted material against a first flange face of a first forming surface of a first die by a first clamp block, the first die comprising a first heating system and a number of first vacuum paths extending therethrough, the first forming surface also comprising a first blade face;
holding a second cut and kitted material against a second flange face of a second forming surface of a second die by a second clamp block, the second die comprising a second heating system and a number of second vacuum paths extending therethrough, the second forming surface also comprising a second blade face facing the first blade face;
simultaneously forming the first cut and kitted material against the first blade face of the first die and the second cut and kitted material against the second blade face of the second die;
clamping the first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material between the first die and the second die after forming the first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material;
and
curing, using a tool lid sealing against the first die and the second die and creating a curing chamber and a press configured to hold and move the first die, the second die, and the tool lid relative to each other, a composite stringer preform comprising the first cut and kitted material, the second cut and kitted material, a noodle, and a base material while the composite stringer preform is against the first flange face and the second flange face.

3 more elements

A method of forming a blade stringer comprising:

holding a first cut and kitted material by a first clamp block against a first die comprising:
a first heating system, a number of first vacuum paths extending therethrough, and a first forming surface comprising a first blade face and a first flange face;
holding a second cut and kitted material by a second clamp block against a second die comprising:
a second heating system, a number of second vacuum paths extending therethrough, and a second forming surface comprising a second blade face facing the first blade face and a second flange face;
moving a forming device between the first die and the second die to simultaneously form the first cut and kitted material against the first die and the second cut and kitted material against the second die;
moving, using a press configured to hold and move the first die, the second die, and a tool lid relative to each other, at least one of the first die or the second die towards the other of the first die or the second die to bring the first cut and kitted material and second cut and kitted material into contact with each other, the tool lid sealing against the first die and the second die and creating a curing chamber;
applying a noodle and a base material over the first cut and kitted material and second cut and kitted material while the first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material are in contact with each other;
and
curing, using the tool lid, a composite stringer preform comprising the first cut and kitted material, the second cut and kitted material, the noodle, and the base material while the composite stringer preform is against the first die and the second die.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Blade stringer forming methods and tooling

Life of this patent

Blade stringer forming methods and tooling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35