US 2026/0028286 A1 · WEDGE AND PLUG TOOLING FOR PRE-CARBONIZATION COMPRESSION OF OXIDIZED PAN FIBER PREFORM

Abstract

A shape forming tool for pre-carbonization compression of a fibrous preform is provided, comprising a female forming tool, a first plug, a second plug, and a wedge, each configured to be received by a die recess of the female forming tool. A first tapered surface of the wedge is configured to engage the first plug and the second tapered surface of the wedge is configured to engage the second plug. In response to the first tapered surface of the wedge engaging the first plug and the second tapered surface of the wedge engaging the second plug, the first plug and the second plug, respectively, are configured to move laterally towards opposing sides of the female forming tool and/or vertically toward a bottom side of the female forming tool to compress the fibrous preform into a shaped body.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A shape forming tool for use with a fibrous preform, the shape forming tool comprising:

a female forming tool having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a bottom wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a top surface, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom wall define a die recess for receiving the fibrous preform;
a gripper plate disposed at the top surface and configured to apply a tensioning force to the fibrous preform when the fibrous preform is in the die recess;
a first plug configured to be received in the die recess;
a second plug configured to be received in the die recess;
and
a wedge configured to be received in the die recess between the first plug and the second plug;
wherein the wedge is configured to engage the first plug and the second plug to move the first plug and the second plug laterally toward opposing sidewalls of the female forming tool to apply a pressure force to the fibrous preform while the gripper plate applies the tensioning force.

4 more elements

A method for manufacturing a carbon/carbon (C/C) part, the method comprising:

positioning a fibrous preform in a die recess of a female forming tool, the female forming tool including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a bottom wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a top surface, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom wall define the die recess;
applying a tensioning force to the fibrous preform in the die recess using a gripper plate disposed at the top surface;
positioning a first plug and a second plug in the die recess adjacent the fibrous preform positioned along the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
inserting a wedge between the first plug and the second plug to force the first plug toward the first sidewall and the second plug toward the second sidewall to apply a pressure force to the fibrous preform while the tensioning force is applied to the fibrous preform;
and
conforming the fibrous preform to a shape of the die recess using the tensioning force and the pressure force.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wedge and plug tooling for pre-carbonization compression of oxidized pan fiber preform

Life of this patent

Wedge and plug tooling for pre-carbonization compression of oxidized pan fiber preform

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20