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US 2025/0128481 A1Published application
Method and Apparatus for Making a Gap Filler Having a Variable Cross-Section
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorChristian Gordon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A forming die has a continuously configurable nip allowing a composite preform to be formed into continuous composite gap filler that has a variable cross-section along its length.
Claims27
A method of making a composite gap filler having a varying cross-section, comprising:
- drawing a composite preform through a nip in a die;
- and
- changing a shape of the nip.
A method of making a composite gap filler having a cross-section that varies along its length (L), comprising:
- heating a composite preform to a softening temperature sufficient to allow the composite preform to be shaped;
- drawing the composite preform through a die configured to form the composite preform into a composite gap filler having a desired cross-section;
- and
- changing the cross-section of the composite gap filler as the composite preform is drawn through the die by altering the die.
1 more element
Apparatus for making a continuous, composite gap filler formed of a composite material and having a cross-section that varies along its length (L), comprising:
- a die having a nip through which a composite preform may be drawn, the die including die members and configured to form the composite preform into a desired cross-sectional shape, each of the die members having a changeable die face configured to vary the cross-section of the composite gap filler as the composite preform is drawn through the nip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.