Collection of process data using in-situ sensors
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKarl M. Nelson, Kurtis S. Willden, Anoshiravan Poursartip, Malcolm D. Lane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is provided for collecting data during vacuum molding of a composite part using a mold including an air tight, flexible membrane sealed to a tool. The system comprises a plurality of MEMS sensors coupled with the interior of the mold at different locations over the part. Each of the sensors produces signals related to a process parameter, such as pressure within the bag, that is sensed at the location of the sensor.
Claims25
A system for collecting data during vacuum molding of a composite part using a mold including an air tight, flexible membrane sealed to a tool, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors coupled with the interior of the mold at different locations over the part, each of the sensors producing signals related to a process parameter within the bag sensed at the location of the sensor.
Apparatus for vacuum bag molding a composite part layup, comprising:
- a mold including a mold tool and a vacuum bag covering the part layup;
- at least one sensor embedded in the mold tool and generating a signal representing a parameter sensed at the location of the sensor;
- and,
- means for processing the sensor signal.
A system for measuring the pressure applied to a vacuum bagged composite layup molded and cured inside an autoclave, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors each coupled with the interior of the bag and sensing a parameter at the location of the sensor;
- and,
- at least one sensor inside the autoclave for sensing a parameter inside the autoclave.
A method of measuring process parameters in a vacuum bag molding operation, comprising:
- sensing the value of at least one parameter inside the bag at each of a plurality of locations over the bag while a vacuum is drawn in the bag;
- and,
- collecting the sensed values.
A method of monitoring a parameter related to processing a vacuum bagged composite layup within an autoclave, comprising:
- coupling each of a plurality of sensors with the interior of the bag at different, sensing locations within the bag;
- using the sensors to generate a set of signals respectively representing the values of the parameter sensed at the sensing locations;
- and,
- collecting the signals at a location within the autoclave near the layup.
A method of measuring processing parameters during molding and curing of a vacuum bagged composite layup processed inside an autoclave, comprising:
- forming a plurality of openings at differing measurement locations in a vacuum bag;
- attaching vacuum pressure sensors to the bag respectively overlying the openings;
- using the vacuum pressure sensors to measure the vacuum within the bag at the measurement locations
- pressure applied to the layup at each of the measurement locations;
- coupling a fluid sensor with the interior of the bag;
- measuring a fluid pressure inside the bag;
- placing an autoclave pressure sensor inside the autoclave but outside of the layup;
- measuring the autoclave pressure applied to the vacuum bag using the pressure sensor;
- and,
- collecting the measured vacuum pressures, the measured fluid pressure and the measured autoclave pressure at a location near the layup.
A system for molding a composite layup inside an autoclave, comprising:
- a mold tool;
- a vacuum bag sealed to the mold tool and having a plurality of openings therein at different sensing locations on the vacuum bag;
- a plurality of first MEMS vacuum pressure sensors attached to the bag and respectively coupled through the openings to the interior of the vacuum bag;
- at least one opening in the mold tool;
- a second pressure sensor mounted within the opening in the mold tool for sensing either a vacuum pressure of a fluid pressure inside the mold;
- a third autoclave pressure sensor located outside of the vacuum bag for sensing the pressure inside the autoclave;
- and,
- a processor inside the autoclave for collecting and processing the pressures sensed by the first, second and third sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.