Scrolls that vacuum secure objects to complex surfaces
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsEric Carlton Anderson, Allen James Halbritter, Daniel Johnson, Adam Lee, Luis Velasquez
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Abstract
Embodiments include apparatus for compacting an object onto a rigid tool by applying a negative pressure while the scroll of material overlays the object. The apparatus comprises one or more spindles and a scroll of material that is stored on the one or more spindles. The scroll of material comprises a permeable layer and an impermeable membrane wherein the impermeable membrane contacts the permeable layer and may extend beyond a perimeter of the permeable layer.
Claims15
An apparatus for compacting an object onto a rigid tool, the apparatus comprising:
- multiple spindles;
- and
- a scroll of material, wherein a respective portion of the scroll of material is stored on each respective spindle of the multiple spindles, wherein each respective portion of the scroll of material is deployed from each respective spindle for placement onto the object on the rigid tool as each of the spindles moves apart from one other, wherein the scroll of material comprises a permeable layer and an impermeable membrane, wherein the impermeable membrane overlays the permeable layer when the scroll of material is stored on each respective spindle of the multiple spindles, and wherein the impermeable membrane extends beyond a perimeter of the permeable layer.
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one spindle, comprising:
- an exterior;
- a chamber;
- and
- perforations that couple the chamber to the exterior;
- and
- a scroll of material that is wrapped around the exterior of the spindle, wherein one end of the scroll of material is sealed to the spindle, and the scroll of material comprises:
- a permeable layer in fluid communication with the chamber through the perforations;
- and
- an impermeable membrane that contacts the permeable layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.