Support tooling for composite parts
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJustin H. Register
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for forming composite parts. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a forming tool. The forming tool includes a body, which includes an exterior that defines a shape for forming a laminate that will be cured into a composite part. The body also includes elements of phase change material that provide rigidity to the body below a threshold temperature, and that exhibit a phase change above the threshold temperature causing the body to become pliable. Further, the body includes flexible material that encloses the elements of phase change material.
Claims32
An apparatus comprising:
- a forming tool comprising:
- a body comprising a pliable matrix enclosing elements of phase change material that are rigid below a threshold temperature and that are pliable after undergoing a phase change at the threshold temperature;
- and
- a pressurizable internal compartment surrounded by the body.
An apparatus comprising:
- a forming tool comprising:
- a body comprising an exterior that defines a shape for forming a laminate that will be cured into a composite part, the body comprising:
- elements of phase change material that provide rigidity to the body below a threshold temperature, and that exhibit a phase change at the threshold temperature causing the body to become pliable;
- and
- flexible material that encloses the elements of phase change material.
A system comprising:
- a forming tool comprising:
- a body comprising an exterior that defines a shape for forming a laminate, the body comprising:
- elements of phase change material that provide rigidity to the body below a threshold temperature, and that exhibit a phase change at the threshold temperature causing the body to become pliable;
- and
- flexible material that encloses the elements of phase change material;
- and
- an air pressure device configured to pressurize and depressurize an internal compartment within the body to facilitate fabrication of the laminate.
A method comprising:
- laying up a laminate of constituent material onto an exterior of a forming tool having a rigid body;
- heating the forming tool to a threshold temperature at which phase change material in the forming tool changes phase, causing the body to become pliable;
- and
- pressurizing an internal compartment of the forming tool to apply pressure to the laminate as the laminate cures into a composite part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.