# US 8,540,923 B2 · Method for curing resin with ultrasound

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- Number: US 8,540,923 B2
- Document ID: US8540923B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/284,330
- Filed: 2011-10-28
- Published: 2012-02-23
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-03-25
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: Norman R. Byrd; Masood A. Zaidi; John A. Petty
- Inventors: Norman R. Byrd; Masood A. Zaidi; John A. Petty
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540923B2

## CPC

- C08J 3/28: Treatment by wave energy or particle radiation
- B01J 3/006: {Processes utilising sub-atmospheric pressure; Apparatus therefor}
- B01J 19/10: employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
- B29C 35/0261: {using ultrasonic or sonic vibrations}
- B29C 2791/006: Using vacuum
- B29C 2791/008: Using vibrations during moulding
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)

## Abstract

A method for curing a resin includes the steps of placing the resin into a reaction vessel, drawing a vacuum in the reaction vessel, positioning the reaction vessel in a gaseous coupling fluid, and applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for processing resin, comprising causing cavitation of a gaseous coupling fluid at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure in which resin is disposed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said causing further comprises applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling fluid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said causing further comprises causing cavitation of a coupling fluid including ambient air.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said causing further comprises causing cavitation of the coupling fluid such that the resin is cured.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said causing further comprises causing cavitation of the coupling fluid in which resin including a substrate is disposed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein said causing further comprises causing cavitation of the coupling fluid such that a composite material is formed from the resin.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein said causing further comprises causing cavitation of the coupling fluid such that adhesive bonding of the resin occurs.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the resin is an epoxy resin including a catalyst.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the composite material comprises the substrate dispersed in the resin.