Inductively heated tools for stamp-forming thermoplastic composites
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc R Matsen, Randall D. Wilkerson, Gwendolyn M. Janda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool for stamp-forming thermoplastic components may include a frame reinforced by an infill material. The infill material (e.g., cast ceramic) is configured to provide compression resistance to the frame and to insulate the frame from heat. A forming plate is coupled to the frame, and the plate has a front face defining a forming surface of the tool. One or more inductive heating elements are configured to heat the plate, wherein each of the one or more inductive heating elements comprises a conductor (e.g., Litz wire) coupled to a susceptor material (e.g., Invar®), and the one or more inductive heating elements are configured to be self-regulating with respect to temperature.
Claims18
A tool for stamp-forming thermoplastic components, the tool comprising:
- an eggcrate-style structural frame having spaced apart frame members defining a plurality of cavities, wherein the eggcrate-style structural frame is reinforced by an infill material disposed in the plurality of cavities of the eggcrate-style structural frame, and wherein the infill material is configured to provide compression resistance to the eggcrate-style structural frame and to insulate the eggcrate-style structural frame from heat;
- a plate coupled to the eggcrate-style structural frame, wherein the plate has a front face defining a forming surface of the tool;
- and
- one or more inductive heating elements configured to heat the plate, wherein each of the one or more inductive heating elements comprises a conductor physically coupled to a susceptor material, such that the one or more inductive heating elements are configured to be self-regulating with respect to temperature;
- wherein the one or more inductive heating elements are at least partially embedded in a rear face of the plate.
A stamp-forming press, comprising:
- one or more stamp-forming tools installed in the stamp-forming press, each of the stamp-forming tools including:
- an eggcrate-style structural frame having spaced apart frame members defining a plurality of cavities;
- a metal plate coupled to the eggcrate-style structural frame, wherein the metal plate has a front face defining a forming surface of the stamp-forming tool;
- one or more inductive heating elements configured to heat the metal plate, each of the one or more inductive heating elements comprising a conductor physically coupled to a susceptor material;
- and
- an infill material disposed in the plurality of cavities of the eggcrate-style structural frame, wherein the infill material is configured to resist compression and to insulate the eggcrate-style structural frame from heat.
A heated forming tool, comprising:
- an eggcrate-style structural frame having spaced apart frame members defining a plurality of cavities;
- a metal plate coupled to the eggcrate-style structural frame, wherein the metal plate has a front face defining a forming surface of the forming tool;
- one or more inductive heating elements physically coupled to the metal plate and configured to heat the metal plate, each of the one or more inductive heating elements comprising a conductor physically coupled to a susceptor material;
- and
- an infill material disposed in the plurality of cavities of the eggcrate-style structural frame, wherein the infill material is configured to resist compression and to insulate the eggcrate-style structural frame from heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.