Cure and flow front detection system and associated devices

Abstract

A system for detecting a cure and/or flow front in a molding apparatus. The system has a mold portion, a sensor apparatus, and a control unit. The mold portion has a molding surface configured to contact a preform to be infused with resin. The sensor apparatus is arranged within the mold portion and includes a sensor element that extends in a longitudinal direction. The sensor element is arranged to be at least partially below the molding surface into the mold portion such that the sensor element is capable of interaction with resin and/or the preform, for example, via electric fields. The control unit is configured to control the sensor element, so as to detect a cure and/or flow front based on a change in the interaction, such as the electric field, due to the flowing or curing of resin.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.