Apparatuses, systems, and methods for manufacturing composite parts
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorSteven Hanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tooling aids for applying pressure in laminating, and methods for their use, are described herein. In one embodiment, a caul for applying pressure in laminating includes a base portion positioned between first and second corner portions. The base portion can have a curved shape when it is in a relaxed state, but it moves to a flatter shape when subjected to pressure during lamination. Movement of the base portion to the flatter shape causes the first and second corner portions to move outwardly and away from the base portion. In this manner, the caul can be used to compact laminating materials into corner regions of a corresponding female mold surface.
Claims45
A caul for applying pressure in laminating, the caul comprising:
- a base portion positioned between first and second corner portions, wherein the base portion has a curved shape when it is in a relaxed state but moves to a flatter shape when it is subjected to pressure during lamination, and wherein movement of the base portion to the flatter shape causes the first and second corner portions to move outwardly relative to the base portion.
A caul for applying pressure to a laminate on a mold surface of a tool, the caul comprising:
- an exterior surface portion configured to face the composite laminate on the mold surface, the exterior surface portion having an uneven texture.
A tooling aid for applying pressure to a laminate on a mold surface, the tooling aid comprising:
- a base portion configured to be positioned proximate to a side region of the mold surface;
- and
- a corner portion configured to be positioned proximate to a transition region of the mold surface, wherein flexing the base portion toward the side region of the mold surface drives the corner portion away from the base portion and toward the transition region of the mold surface.
A system for laminating a plurality of plies together, the system comprising:
- a tool having a mold surface configured to support the plies, the mold surface having a side region proximate to a transition region;
- and
- a tooling aid for applying pressure to the plies on the mold surface, the tooling aid comprising:
- a base portion configured to be positioned proximate to the side region of the mold surface;
- and
- a corner portion configured to be positioned proximate to the transition region of the mold surface, wherein flexing the base portion toward the side region of the mold surface drives the corner portion toward the transition region of the mold surface.
A tooling aid for applying pressure to material on a mold surface, the tooling aid comprising:
- a base portion movable between a first position in which it has a generally bowed shape and a second position in which it has a generally flat shape;
- and
- a corner portion attached to the base portion, wherein the corner portion is movable with the base portion between a third position when the base portion is in the first position and a fourth position when the base portion is in the second position, the fourth position being located outwardly from the third position.
A method for manufacturing a part, the method comprising:
- positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a tool;
- positioning a curved base portion of a caul over a first portion of the fibers;
- and
- pressing the curved base portion of the caul toward a side region of the mold surface to flatten the base portion against the first portion of fibers and compress a second portion of the fibers against a transition region of the mold surface.
A system for laminating a plurality of fiber plies together, the system comprising:
- mold means for supporting the fiber plies in a shape of a part;
- first means for compacting a first portion of the fiber plies against a flat portion of the mold means;
- and
- second means for compacting a second portion of the fiber plies against a curved portion of the mold means in response to the first means compacting the first portion of fiber plies against the flat portion of the mold means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.