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US 8,894,784 B2Granted
Method of processing a composite patch
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMegan N. Watson, Mary H. Vargas, Joel P. Baldwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of processing a patch includes mounting the patch on a surface of a caul plate having at least one suction hole, and drawing a vacuum through the suction hole to maintain the patch in contact with the caul plate.
Claims7
A method of processing a patch, comprising the steps of:
- mounting the patch on an upper surface of a caul plate having a lower surface, at least one suction hole, and a vacuum port fluidly coupled to the suction hole by an internal passageway extending generally parallel to the upper and lower surfaces in non-contacting relation thereto;
- drawing a vacuum on the vacuum port through the internal passageway and the suction hole to maintain the patch in contact with the caul plate.
A method of processing a patch, comprising the steps of:
- mounting the patch on an upper surface of a caul plate having a lower surface, a plurality of suction holes, and a vacuum port fluidly coupled to the suction holes by one or more internal passageways extending generally parallel to the upper and lower surfaces in non-contacting relation thereto;
- consolidating the patch using a vacuum debulking assembly sealed to the caul plate;
- drawing a vacuum on the vacuum port through the internal passageways and at the suction holes to maintain the patch in contact with the caul plate;
- transferring the patch to a rework area using the caul plate;
- insulating the patch thermally;
- applying heat to the patch;
- removing the vacuum from the suction holes;
- placing a bagging film over the caul plate and patch such that the bagging film is sealed to the rework area;
- drawing a vacuum on the bagging film;
- and
- applying heat to the patch to at least partially cure the patch.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.