Tooling apparatus and method for producing grid stiffened fiber reinforced structures
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorsMark E. Deckers, Vernon M. Benson, Michael R. McCloy, Todd A. Rosevear
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures. The tooling and its use for the manufacture of reinforced structures is described and illustrated.
Claims78
An apparatus for the formation of a composite structure, said apparatus comprising:
- forming a hard tooling having at least two recessed pockets therein and at least one rib extending between a portion of said at least two recessed pockets;
- a consolidation medium having a portion thereof engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling;
- and
- a resilient member for covering portions of said hard tooling and said consolidation medium.
A method of forming an apparatus for the formation of a composite structure formed of fibers coated with resin, said method comprising:
- forming a hard tooling having a surface having at least two recessed pockets therein, said surface for contacting a portion of said fibers coated with resin;
- forming a consolidation medium having a portion thereof for engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets of said hard tooling and having a portion for contacting a portion of said fibers coated with resin.
A method of forming an apparatus for the formation of a composite structure, said method comprising:
- forming a hard tooling having at least two recessed pockets therein and at least one rib extending between a portion of said at least two pockets;
- forming a consolidation medium having a portion thereof for engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling;
- and
- forming a resilient member for covering portions of said hard tooling and for covering said consolidation medium.
A method of forming a composite structure, said method comprising:
- providing hard tooling formed having a surface;
- providing consolidation medium, said consolidation medium including at least two consolidation blocks secured to a resilient member;
- applying a first composite material on the surface of said hard tooling;
- and
- contacting a portion of said consolidation medium with a portion of said first composite material.
A method of forming a composite structure, said method comprising:
- providing hard tooling formed having at least two recessed pockets therein and at least one rib extending between a portion of said at least two pockets;
- providing consolidation medium having a portion thereof engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling;
- and
- applying composite material on said hard tooling.
Apparatus for the formation of a composite structure formed of a plurality of fibers coated with resin, said apparatus comprising:
- hard tooling formed having at least two recessed pockets therein and at least one rib extending between a portion of said at least two pockets, said at least one rib for contacting portions of said plurality of fibers coated with resin;
- and
- consolidation medium having a portion thereof engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling and a portion for contacting a portion of said plurality of fibers coated with resin.
A method of forming an apparatus for the formation of a composite structure formed of a plurality of fibers coated with resin, said method comprising:
- forming a hard tooling having at least two recessed pockets formed therein and at least one rib extending between a portion of said at least two recessed pockets, said at least one rib for contacting portions of said plurality of fibers coated with resin;
- and
- forming a consolidation medium having a portion thereof for engaging a portion of said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling and having a portion for contacting a portion of said plurality of fibers coated with resin.
A method of forming a composite structure, said method comprising:
- providing forming a hard tooling having a surface having at least two recessed pockets formed therein;
- providing a consolidation medium to engage said at least two recessed pockets in said hard tooling;
- applying a first composite material on the surface of said hard tooling;
- and
- contacting a portion of said consolidation medium with a portion of said first composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.