US 12,741,432 B1Granted

Autoclave curing jig

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorJohn Lockleer

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Abstract

Described are apparatuses, assemblies, and processes to create a carbon fiber part with a smooth convex surface using an interior mold. An uncured part may be formed by wrapping fiber and resin around a mandrel (interior mold). One or more caul plate and optional shims may be placed over the uncured part in alignment with features that correspond between the caul plate(s) and the mandrel. The assembly may be enclosed in a vacuum bag and consolidated. The assembly may be placed on a jig base. A compression member may be coupled to the jig base to contain the assembly therebetween. The compression member may exert a force onto the caul plate to compress the uncured part against the mandrel during a curing process, thereby creating a smooth surface finish of the resulting cured part that is free from substantial undesirable warping or wrinkles about the surface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a mandrel configured to receive prepreg wrapped around the mandrel to form a part, the mandrel having a first surface with a curved surface feature;
a caul plate including a profile that is substantially similar to at least a portion of the first surface, the caul plate configured to be removably coupled over the prepreg proximate to the first surface;
a jig base to securely receive at least the mandrel and caul plate;
a compression member coupled to the jig base to contain the caul plate and the mandrel therebetween and to apply a force against the caul plate and toward the mandrel;
and
a pair of biasing members that include a restraining feature to securely couple the compression member in a secure position, the pair of biasing members configured to deflect away from one another during insertion of the compression member toward the jig base until a surface of the compression member aligns with the restraining feature of the pair of biasing members at the secure position thereby restraining the compression member in the secure position with the restraining feature.

3 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

a mandrel configured to receive prepreg wrapped around the mandrel to form a part, the mandrel having a first surface with a curved surface feature;
a caul plate including a profile that is substantially similar to at least a portion of the first surface, the caul plate configured to be removably coupled over the prepreg proximate to the first surface;
a vacuum bag to enclose at least the mandrel and the caul plate;
a jig base to securely receive at least the mandrel and caul plate;
a compression member coupled to the jig base to contain the caul plate and the mandrel therebetween and to apply a force against the caul plate and toward the mandrel;
and
a pair of biasing members that include a restraining feature to securely couple the compression member in a secure position, the pair of biasing members configured to deflect away from one another during insertion of the compression member toward the jig base until a surface of the compression member aligns with the restraining feature of the pair of biasing members at the secure position thereby restraining the compression member in the secure position with the restraining feature.

4 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

a mandrel configured to receive prepreg wrapped around the mandrel to form a part, the mandrel having a first surface with a curved surface feature;
a caul plate including a profile that is substantially similar to at least a portion of the first surface, the caul plate configured to be removably coupled over the prepreg proximate to the first surface;
at least one shim configured to be removably coupled adjacent to the caul plate, the at least one shim having a first side adjacent to the caul plate where the first side has a first thickness that is substantially similar to a second thickness of the caul plate;
a jig base to securely receive at least the mandrel and caul plate;
a compression member coupled to the jig base to contain the caul plate and the mandrel therebetween and to apply a force against the caul plate and toward the mandrel;
and
at least one biasing member that includes a restraining feature to securely couple the compression member in a secure position, the at least one biasing member configured to deflect during insertion of the compression member toward the jig base until a surface of the compression member aligns with the restraining feature of the at least one biasing member at the secure position thereby restraining the compression member in the secure position with the restraining feature.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.