Method for resin transfer molding composite parts
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc R. Matsen, Kim E. Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of molding a composite part using a resin transfer molding process, comprising the steps of:
- (A) placing a susceptor on and covering respective substantially matching contoured surfaces of opposing dies, each of the dies comprising multiple stacked metal sheets positioned in a generally perpendicular configuration relative to the contoured surfaces, wherein the adjacent stacked metal sheets are separated by air gaps forming a plurality of passageways for passing a cooling medium, and said susceptors defining a mold cavity;
- (B) introducing a fiber preform into the mold cavity between the susceptors;
- (C) heating the mold cavity by inductively heating the susceptors following closing and substantially sealing of said mold cavity with respect to a pressure external to said mold cavity;
- and
- (D) infusing the preform with resin to form a part by transferring resin from a resin source into the sealed mold cavity.
A method of molding a composite part using a resign transfer molding process, comprising the steps of:
- (A) placing a susceptor on and covering respective substantially matching contoured surfaces of opposing dies, each of the dies comprising multiple stacked metal sheets positioned in a generally perpendicular configuration relative to the contoured surfaces, and said susceptors defining a mold cavity;
- (B) introducing a fiber preform into the mold cavity between the susceptors;
- (C) heating the mold cavity by inductively heating induction coils coupled to the susceptors following closing and substantially sealing of said mold cavity with respect to a pressure external to said mold cavity;
- (D) evacuating the mold cavity;
- (E) infusing the preform with resin to form a part by transferring resin from a resin source into the sealed mold cavity
- (F) cooling the part by cooling the susceptors by passing a cooling medium through a gap defined between adjacent sheets in the in the dies;
- and,
- (G) removing the part after the part has been cooled.
A method of molding a composite part using a resin transfer molding process, comprising the steps of:
- (A) placing a susceptor on and covering respective substantially matching contoured surfaces of opposing dies, each of the dies comprising multiple stacked metal sheets positioned in a generally perpendicular configuration relative to the contoured surface, said susceptors defining a mold cavity:
- (B) introducing a fiber preform into the mold cavity between the susceptors:
- (C) heating the mold cavity by inductively heating the susceptors following closing and substantially sealing of said mold cavity with respect to a pressure external to said mold cavity;
- (D) infusing the preform with resin to form a part by transferring resin from a resin source into the sealed mold cavity,
- (E) cooling the part by flowing a cooling medium through a plurality of passageways defined between adjacent wherein the adjacent stacked metal sheets are separated by air gaps forming a plurality of passageways for passing a cooling medium sheets in the stacked metal sheets in each of the dies and passing the cooling medium proximate the susceptors;
- and,
- (F) removing the part after the part has been cooled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.