# US 2018/0021990 A1 · Out-Of-Autoclave Compression Molding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021990 A1 - Document ID: US20180021990A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/217,021 - Filed: 2016-07-22 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: Hall Labs LLC - Inventors: David R. Hall; Stephen R. Hall; Christopher Johnson; Jason Simpson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021990A1 ## CPC - B29C 43/3642: {Bags, bleeder sheets or cauls for isostatic pressing} - B29C 70/44: using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding - B29C 2043/3644: {Vacuum bags; Details thereof, e.g. fixing or clamping} - B29C 2043/562: {combined with isostatic pressure, e.g. pressurising fluids, gases} - B29L 2031/757: {Moulds, cores, dies} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An out-of-autoclave compression molding system is disclosed herein. The system includes a mold, a vacuum bag, a vacuum valve, a pressure plate, and a pressure valve. The mold includes a concave feature and a flange. The vacuum bag covers at least the concave feature. The pressure plate is positioned outside the vacuum bag clamped to the flange and on the mold to form a pressure cavity between the vacuum bag and the plate. An out-of-autoclave compression molding process is also described. The process includes pressing a composite material and thermoset resin into a mold having a flange; surrounding the mold, composite material, and resin with a vacuum bag; sealing and evacuating the vacuum bag; clamping a pressure plate to the flange; and pressurizing the cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An out-of-autoclave compression molding system comprising: a mold comprising a concave feature and a flange; a vacuum bag covering at least the concave feature and forming an air-tight seal between the vacuum bag and the mold; and a vacuum valve with a vacuum end positioned between the mold and the vacuum bag; a pressure plate outside the vacuum bag clamped to the flange, wherein the plate is positioned on the mold to form a pressure cavity between the vacuum bag and the plate; and a pressure valve with a pressure end positioned between the pressure plate and the vacuum bag within the pressure cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum valve further comprises a vacuum pump end passing through the cavity and the pressure plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum valve is positioned on a bottom side of the mold, and wherein the pressure valve is positioned on a top side of the pressure plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum valve passes through the mold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum bag wraps around the flange between the flange and the pressure plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an oven with a vacuum pump and a pressure pump, wherein the mold, vacuum bag and pressure plate are contained in the oven, and wherein the oven is heated, curing a composite pressed into the mold by the vacuum bag. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a composite material and thermoset resin positioned between the vacuum bag and the mold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a vacuum between the vacuum bag and the composite material and thermoset resin, wherein the vacuum bag exerts a force on the composite material and thermoset resin ranging from 5-20 psi. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a pressure in the pressure cavity ranges from 5-100 psi. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plate and flange form an air-tight seal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising c-clamps that clamp the plate to the flange. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more nuts and bolts that clamp the plate to the flange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure valve passes through the mold and the vacuum bag into the cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure gauge passes through the plate and measures an air pressure inside the cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure gauge is coupled to the pressure valve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure gauge passes through the mold and measures an air pressure between the mold and the vacuum bag. ### Claim 18 An out-of-autoclave compression molding method comprising: pressing a composite material and thermoset resin into a mold, wherein the mold comprises a flange; surrounding the mold, composite material, and resin with a vacuum bag; sealing and evacuating the vacuum bag, wherein a pressure exerted by the bag on the composite and resin ranges from 5 to 20 psi; clamping a pressure plate to the flange, wherein the plate is positioned on the mold to form a pressure cavity between the mold and the plate, and wherein the composite material and resin is disposed in the cavity between the mold and the plate; and pressurizing the cavity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the cavity is pressurized to a pressure ranging from 5-100 psi. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning a gasket between the plate and the mold.