Extrusion of Adhesives for Composite Structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsTravis J. Sherwood, Brian G. Robins, Darrell D. Jones, Joseph D. Brennan, Michael R. Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structural filler is installed in a gap between at least first and second composite members by extruding a flowable filler material, placing the extruded filler on one of the composite structural members, and assembling the composite members.
Claims25
A method of installing a structural filler in a gap between at least first and second composite members, comprising:
- forming a filler by extruding a flowable filler material;
- and,
- placing the filler on the first composite structural members;
- and
- assembling the first and second composite members.
A method of forming a structural filler for composite structures, comprising:
- forming a length of an uncured filler by extruding a flowable filler material;
- controlling the rate at which the flowable filler material is extruded;
- controlling the viscosity of the flowable filler material;
- curing the length of the uncured filler.
Apparatus for producing a structural filler for a gap in a composite structure, comprising:
- means for extruding a filler;
- and,
- a tool onto which the filler may be extruded and for transferring the filler onto a composite structure.
Apparatus for producing a structural filler used to fill a gap in a composite structure, comprising:
- a body adapted to hold a quantity of an uncured flowable filler material;
- a nozzle through which the flowable filler material may be extruded from the body;
- a displaceable plunger in the body for forcing the flowable filler material to flow from the body through the nozzle;
- a motor mounted on the body;
- a drive connected between the motor and the plunger for displacing the plunger;
- a heater on the body for controlling the viscosity of the flowable filler material;
- and,
- a tool for shaping the cross section of the extruded filler and for transferring the filler onto the composite structure.
A method of forming a structural filler used to fill a gap in a composite structure, comprising:
- filling a dispenser with a flowable filler material;
- relatively moving the dispenser and a tool;
- extruding the flowable filler material from the dispenser onto the tool to form a filler;
- controlling the viscosity of the flowable filler material by applying heat to the flowable filler material in the dispenser;
- using the tool to form the cross sectional shape of the extruded filler;
- using the tool to transfer and place the filler on the composite structure;
- and,
- curing the filler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.