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US 2014/0231022 A1Published application
Elastomeric Bladder System
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsCharles William Thomas, David Allen Hahs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for and apparatus for forming a bladder system. A bladder with an open end is formed. The open end of the bladder is placed into an interior of a fitting. The open end of the bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting.
Claims22
A method for forming a bladder system, the method comprising:
- forming a bladder with an open end;
- placing the open end of the bladder into an interior of a fitting;
- and
- connecting the open end of the bladder to the interior of the fitting.
1 more element
A method for forming a bladder system, the method comprising:
- forming an elastomeric bladder having an open end such that a portion of the elastomeric bladder at the open end of the elastomeric bladder is a tapered portion having a cross-section with an outer cross-sectional shape that decreases in size towards the open end of the elastomeric bladder;
- placing the tapered portion of the elastomeric bladder into a flared portion of an interior of a fitting through an open end of the fitting such that an outer surface of the tapered portion substantially conforms to a surface of the flared portion in which a portion of the fitting at the open end of the fitting has a cross-section with an inner cross-sectional shape defined by the surface of the flared portion in which the inner cross-sectional shape increases towards the open end of the fitting;
- and
- connecting the open end of the elastomeric bladder to the interior of the fitting by performing at least one of curing the elastomeric bladder with the tapered portion located within the interior of the fitting;
- curing a number of layers of uncured material with the tapered portion of the elastomeric bladder located within the interior of the fitting in which the tapered portion of the elastomeric bladder is bonded to the interior of the fitting;
- and bonding the tapered portion of the elastomeric bladder to the interior of the fitting with an adhesive.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a bladder with an open end;
- and
- a fitting in which the open end of the bladder is connected to an interior of the fitting.
A bladder system for forming a composite structure with a channel, the bladder system comprising:
- an elastomeric bladder having an open end in which a tapered portion of the elastomeric bladder at the open end of the elastomeric bladder has a cross-section with an outer cross-sectional shape that decreases in size towards the open end of the elastomeric bladder;
- and
- a fitting having an interior with a flared portion at an open end of the fitting in which a portion of the fitting at the open end of the fitting has a cross-section with an inner cross-sectional shape formed by a surface of the flared portion that increases in size towards the open end of the fitting;
- in which the open end of the elastomeric bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting by being bonded to the surface of the flared portion of the interior of the fitting;
- and in which the fitting is comprised of a material selected from one of metal, polycarbonate, plastic, aluminum, steel, and a composite material.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.