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US 2013/0340944 A1Published application
Apparatus for making contoured composite stiffeners
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorAndrew E. Modin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contoured composite part is made by assembling a preform charge, including aligning a plurality of plies along a preselected contour. The assembled aligned preform charge is then placed in a forming tool, where the charge is formed and cured.
Claims12
1-14. (canceled)
Apparatus for making a composite structural member having at least one contour, comprising:
- an assembly tool for assembling a plurality of plies forming a charge;
- and
- a forming tool for forming the charge, the forming tool including a pair of relatively movable mandrels between which the assembled charge may be clamped.
Apparatus for making a composite member having a web with a compound contour and at least one flange, comprising:
- an assembly tool for pre-aligning a charge along a first contour;
- and
- a forming tool including a base and a pair of contoured mandrels on the base between which a web portion of the charge may be clamped and formed along a second contour.
(canceled)
Apparatus for making a compound contoured composite stringer for aircraft having a web and a flange, comprising:
- an alignment and assembly tool, including
- a flat surface on which a flat charge may be placed,
- an alignment fence having a first contour corresponding to one of the contours of the stringer and against which the charge may be aligned,
- a web height spacer for establishing the height of the stringer web;
- a plurality of clamps for clamping the charge and adapted to abut the web height spacer;
- a forming and cure tool, including
- a tool base having a first contour which largely matches the contour of the alignment fence on the assembly tool, the tool base including an assembly of a base plate and spaced apart curved blocks,
- a pair of mandrels relatively slideable on the tool base toward and away from each other, the mandrels including a first set of opposing surfaces having a second contour for clamping a web portion of the charge therebetween, the mandrels further including a second set of tool surfaces onto which a flange portion of the charge may be formed;
- a first inner bag covering the formed charge;
- a second bag covering the charge and the first bag;
- first and second seals for sealing the first and second bags to the forming and cure tool;
- a resin infusion inlet for allowing resin to flow into the charge within the first bag;
- and
- at least one resin outlet for allowing resin to escape from the charge.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.