Conveyor Forming Composite Stringers
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRichard A. Prause, Allen Halbritter, Andrew E. Modin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example method of forming a composite structure is described that includes applying a laminated charge onto an expandable pallet, moving the expandable pallet at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections, and driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at an angle relative to the expandable pallet so as to drive the plurality of die sections progressively deeper into a recess defined by the expandable pallet and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure.
Claims20
A method for forming a composite structure, the method comprising:
- applying a laminated charge onto an expandable pallet;
- moving the expandable pallet at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections;
- and
- driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at an angle relative to the expandable pallet so as to drive the plurality of die sections progressively deeper into a recess defined by the expandable pallet and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure.
A method for forming a composite structure, the method comprising:
- applying a laminated charge onto a plurality of expandable pallets arranged in pairs of pallet members, and each pair is interlocked with one another defining a recess therebetween, wherein the plurality of expandable pallets have a forming surface configured to receive thereon the laminated charge;
- moving the plurality of expandable pallets at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections;
- and
- driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at an angle relative to the plurality of expandable pallets so as to drive the plurality of die sections progressively deeper into a recess defined by the pairs of the plurality of expandable pallets and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure.
A method for forming a composite structure, the method comprising:
- applying a laminated charge onto a plurality of expandable pallets arranged in pairs of pallet members, and each pair is interlocked with one another defining a recess therebetween, wherein the plurality of expandable pallets have a forming surface configured to receive thereon the laminated charge;
- moving the plurality of expandable pallets at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections;
- driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor relative to the plurality of expandable pallets so as to drive the plurality of die sections into a recess defined by the pairs of the plurality of expandable pallets and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure;
- and
- driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at a stationary height with respect to the plurality of expandable pallets after shaping the laminated charge into the at least part of the shape of the composite structure to add a dwell time after the laminated charge is shaped.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.