Method of manufacturing a contoured elastomeric pad

Abstract

Uncured elastomeric sheet material (42) is built up on the outer surface of a production article (36) constructed from composite materials. A vacuum bag system (20, 24, 26, 30, 32) is used for holding the uncured elastomer member (60) against the composite article (36) while the elastomer member (60) is being cured under heat and pressure. Such curing causes the elastomer member (60) to shrink. The elastomer member (60) is then resized by cutting it into sections (66). The sections (66) are placed back on the composite article (36) and each is positioned on such article (36) at a location best conforming to it in shape. This leaves gaps (68) between the sections (66). Additional uncured elastomer (70) is applied to fill the gaps (68) and bridge across the gaps (68), to in that manner splice the sections (66) together. A vacuum bag (20, 24, 26, 30, 32) is again applied and the bag assembly (20, 24, 26, 30, 32 ) is again cured under heat and pressure, to cure the additional elastomer material (70). The elastomer member (60") formed in this manner substantially conforms in size and shape to the production composite article (36) and can be used as a pressure pad in the manufacture of additional articles (36) of the composite material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.