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US 8,263,200 B2Granted
Composite structure and related method to obtain it
AssigneeGKN Aerospace Services Limited
InventorScott Barber
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AssigneeGKN Aerospace Services Limited
InventorScott Barber
Estimating the term…
A method of making a composite structure (1) that comprises a curved body (5) and an integral rim (3) extending from an end of the curved body. The method comprises the steps of: forming a diaphragm pack (19) comprising a flat stack (13) of composite plies between two diaphragms (15 A, 15B), wherein each ply (L1, L2, L3) of the flat stack (13) is made up of a plurality of composite tiles (9). Each tile (9) includes at least a first portion (9A) and a second portion (9B) that have side edges of the first portion (9A) configured to abut against side edges of adjacent tiles and side edges of the second portion (9B) configured to overlap side edges of adjacent tiles. Air is evacuated from within the diaphragm pack (19) either before or after placing the diaphragm pack (19) within a double diaphragm forming apparatus comprising a hollow forming tool (23), wherein the first portion (9A) of the composite tiles (9) is supported on an upper surface (23 A) of the tool (23). Heat (25) is applied to the diaphragm pack (19); when the stack reaches the forming temperature a vacuum (Pv) is applied between the lower diaphragm (15B) and the hollow forming tool (23) such the second portion (9B) of the composite tiles (9) are drawn downwards into contact with the internal wall (23B) of the forming tool (23) to move the edges of the second portion (9B) of adjacent tiles to abut against side edges of adjacent tiles (9). The first portion (9A) of each tile (9) forms part of the rim (3) and the second portion (9B) of each tile forms art of the curved body (5).
A method of making a composite structure comprising a curved body and an integral rim extending from an end of the curved body, the method comprises the steps:
A composite structure comprising a hollow duct and integral rim on an end thereof, wherein the duct and rim are formed from a plurality of composite tiles that include at least a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of each tile forms part of the rim and the second portion of each tile forms part of the hollow duct and wherein edges of adjacent tiles abut one another, the composite structure being made by a method comprising the steps of:
A composite structure comprising a hollow duct and integral rim on an end thereof, wherein the duct and rim are formed from a plurality of composite tiles that include at least a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of each tile forms part of the rim and the second portion of each tile forms part of the hollow duct and wherein edges of adjacent tiles abut one another.
A duct for an engine for an aircraft comprising a hollow duct and integral rim on an end thereof, wherein the duct and rim are formed from a plurality of composite tiles that include at least a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of each tile forms part of the rim and the second portion of each tile forms part of the hollow duct and wherein edges of adjacent tiles abut one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.