Curing composites out-of-autoclave using induction heating with smart susceptors
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc R. Matsen, John F. Spalding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and an induction curing system for curing a composite panel. The induction curing system comprises; a rigid curing tool configured to hold a composite material; a vacuum bagging material sealed to the rigid curing tool; and a dimensional control structure having a lattice and an open casing formed of a rigid material, the lattice positioned within a concavity of the open casing, the dimensional control structure sealed to at least one of the vacuum bagging material or the rigid curing tool.
Claims20
A method of curing a composite panel, the method comprising:
- pulling a vacuum in a first vacuum zone between a vacuum bagging material and a rigid curing tool while a composite material is on the rigid curing tool;
- pulling a vacuum in a second vacuum zone between the vacuum bagging material and an open casing of a dimensional control structure while the first vacuum zone is under vacuum to remove volatiles and gases from the composite material on the rigid curing tool, the open casing formed of a rigid material, and the dimensional control structure having a lattice within a concavity of the open casing;
- at least partially releasing the vacuum in the second vacuum zone;
- and
- lowering the dimensional control structure towards the composite material until the lattice is positioned to maintain dimensions of the composite material using the lattice.
A method of curing a composite material comprising:
- performing double vacuum debulk on a composite material using a dimensional control structure, a vacuum bagging material, and a rigid curing tool, the composite material positioned between the vacuum bagging material and the rigid curing tool;
- and
- lowering the dimensional control structure towards the composite material until a lattice of the dimensional control structure is positioned to maintain dimensions of the composite material using the lattice, the lattice positioned within a concavity of an open casing of the dimensional control structure;
- and
- curing the composite material while the lattice of the dimensional control structure is positioned to maintain the dimensions of the composite material.
A method of debulking a composite material comprising:
- sealing a vacuum bagging material to a rigid curing tool while the composite material is present on the rigid curing tool;
- and
- sealing a dimensional control structure to at least one of the vacuum bagging material or a rigid curing tool, the dimensional control structure having a lattice and an open casing formed of a rigid material, the lattice positioned within a concavity of the open casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.