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US 2018/0154592 A1Published application
Composite structures, forming apparatuses and related systems and methods
AssigneeOrbital ATK, Inc.
InventorsVernon M. Benson, Jason K. Slack, Todd A. Rosevear, James L. Harvey, Mark Roman, Timothy S. Olschewski
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Abstract
Apparatuses for forming a composite structure are configured to provide a tension at least partially along at least one ply of material as the at least one ply of material is supplied from a material feed assembly to a tool.
Claims20
An apparatus for forming a composite structure, comprising:
- a forming tool having a forming surface configured to receive thereon at least one ply of material to form the composite structure;
- and
- a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of the at least one ply of material and to provide the at least one ply of material onto the forming tool, the apparatus being configured to apply a force to the at least one ply of material to develop a tension at least partially along a width of the at least one ply of material as the at least one ply of material is supplied from the material feed assembly to the forming tool.
An apparatus for forming a composite structure, comprising:
- a forming tool having a forming surface configured to receive thereon at least one ply of material to form the composite structure;
- and
- a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of the at least one ply of material and to provide the at least one ply of material onto the forming tool, the material feed assembly configured to apply a tension to the at least one ply of material at a location in the at least one ply of material between the material feed assembly and the forming tool.
A method of forming a composite structure in an at least partially automated process, the method comprising:
- developing a tension gradient along a width of at least one ply of material between a supply of the at least one ply of material in a material feed assembly and a tool configured to form the composite structure having an at least partially annular shape;
- and
- applying the at least one ply of material on a surface of the tool, wherein fibers in at least one ply of material are offset relative to a side of the at least one ply of material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.