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US 6,149,844 AGranted
Method of manufacturing composites
AssigneeDecta Holdings Pty Ltd.
InventorNeil Graham
Life of this patent
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AssigneeDecta Holdings Pty Ltd.
InventorNeil Graham
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for the manufacture of a composite component by locating a composite lay-up between a mould surface and a backing surface, each surface forming a wall of a respective pressure chamber. Securing the chambers together to retain the lay-up therebetween with at least one of the said walls movable relative to the other, under the influence of pressure in the chamber incorporating the movable wall, to sandwich the composite therebetween. Then circulating fluid under pressure through each of the chambers at substantially the same pressure to compress the composite lay-up between said mould and backup surfaces to compact the composite lay-up. While the fluid is circulating elevating the temperature thereof to effect curing of the composite. One of the walls between which the composite lay-up is located is of a flexible or semi-rigid construction and the opposing surface of the other wall is shaped to impart to the composite the required surface contour in the product.
A method of manufacturing a composite component comprising locating a composite lay-up between a mould surface and a backing surface, each surface forming a wall of a respective pressure chamber, detachably securing the said chambers together to retain the lay-up enclosed between said mould and backing surfaces, each of the said walls being movable relative to the other under the influence of pressure in the respective chamber incorporating said wall and while the chambers are secured together to sandwich the composite therebetween, circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said chamber at substantially the same pressure to compress the composite lay-up between said mould and backup surfaces to compact said composite lay-up and elevate the temperature thereof to effect curing, wherein one of the movable walls between which the composite is located is of a flexible construction and the opposing surface of the other wall is shaped to impart to the composite a required surface contour.
Apparatus for forming a composite component comprising two pressure chambers, one having a mould surface on one wall thereof and the other having a backing surface on one wall thereof whereby a composite lay-up can be disposed between said mould surface wall and the backing surface wall, means to detachably secure the chambers together with the mould and backing walls in opposing relation and the composite lay-up enclosed therebetween, each of said walls being arranged to move relative to the-other under the influence of pressure in the chamber incorporating the respective wall and while the chambers are secured together to sandwich the composition therebetween, means to circulate fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through said chambers to compress and cure a composite lay-up located between said chambers, the backing surface wall being of a flexible material, the mould surface wall being shaped to impart to the lay-up the required surface contour.
Apparatus for forming a composite component comprising two pressure chambers, one having a mould surface on one wall thereof and the other having a backing surface on one wall thereof whereby a composite lay-up can be disposed between said mould surface wall and the backing surface wall, said chambers being detachably secured together such that the mould and backing walls are in opposing relation to thereby accommodate a composite lay-up enclosed therebetween, each of said walls being arranged to move relative to the other under the influence of pressure in the chamber incorporating the respective wall and while the chambers are secured together to sandwich the composite therebetween, an elevated temperature and pressure fluid circulation system fluidly connected to said chambers, the backing surface wall being of a flexible material, the mould surface walls being shaped to impart to the lay-up the required surface contour, whereby circulation of the elevated temperature and pressure fluid through the chambers compresses and cures a composite lay-up located between the chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.