Methods and tooling for gap resin infusion of composites
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsFaith O'Brien, David Sorensen Witt, Stephen L. Belcher, Daniel Hung Han Chen, Dat Van Huynh, Andres Hernandez
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Abstract
Resin infusion tooling systems and methods of resin infusion are presented. A resin infusion tooling system comprises a heating tool bed comprising a plurality of cavities formed between a plurality of bed segments movable relative to each other, and a plurality of seals configured to seal the plurality of bed segments together for resin infusion of a plurality of dry stringer preforms in the plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities is expandable by movement of the plurality of bed segments relative to each other.
Claims20
A resin infusion tooling system comprising:
- a heating tool bed comprising a plurality of cavities formed between a plurality of bed segments movable relative to each other, wherein the plurality of cavities is expandable by movement of the plurality of bed segments relative to each other;
- and
- a plurality of seals configured to seal the plurality of bed segments together for resin infusion of a plurality of dry stringer preforms in the plurality of cavities.
A resin infusion tooling system comprising:
- a heating tool bed comprising a plurality of cavities configured to support a plurality of dry stringer preforms during resin infusion;
- and
- a number of inserts configured to receive the plurality of dry stringer preforms and hold the plurality of dry stringer preforms within the plurality of cavities.
A method of performing resin infusion comprising:
- placing blades of a plurality of dry stringer preforms into a plurality of cavities between a plurality of bed segments of a heating tool bed;
- moving the plurality of bed segments of the heating tool bed towards each other to contract the plurality of cavities;
- placing a panel preform over the plurality of dry stringer preforms and in contact with bases of the plurality of dry stringer preforms;
- sealing a tool lid to the heating tool bed to form a resin infusion chamber;
- and
- resin infusing the plurality of dry stringer preforms and the panel preform to form a reinforced panel.
A method of performing resin infusion comprising:
- placing blades of a plurality of dry stringer preforms into a number of inserts;
- positioning the blades of the plurality of dry stringer preforms within a plurality of cavities of a heating tool bed using the number of inserts;
- placing a panel preform over the plurality of dry stringer preforms on the heating tool bed such that the panel preform is in contact with bases of the plurality of dry stringer preforms;
- resin infusing the plurality of dry stringer preforms and the panel preform to form a reinforced panel;
- and
- removing the reinforced panel from the heating tool bed by removing the reinforced panel from the number of inserts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.