# US 8,997,642 B2 · Method for transporting, placing and compacting composite stiffeners

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- Number: US 8,997,642 B2
- Document ID: US8997642B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/205,226
- Filed: 2011-08-08
- Published: 2013-02-14
- Granted: 2015-04-07
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-08
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: Samuel Ray Stewart; Paul James Ballow
- Inventors: Samuel Ray Stewart; Paul James Ballow
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8997642B2

## CPC

- B29C 70/38: Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns {(application heads for tyres B29D30/28)}
- B29D 99/0003: {Producing profiled members, e.g. beams}
- B30B 5/02: wherein the pressing means is in the form of a flexible element, e.g. diaphragm, urged by fluid pressure
- B30B 11/001: {using a flexible element, e.g. diaphragm, urged by fluid pressure; Isostatic presses}
- B30B 15/024: {using elastic mould parts}
- B29L 2009/00: Layered products
- B29L 2031/3076: {Aircrafts (blades, propellers B29L2031/08)}
- Y02T 50/40: Weight reduction
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 156/10: Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
- Y10T 156/1082: Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]
- 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)
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)}
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A device for compacting a contoured elongate composite layup includes flexible first and second fiber reinforced resin flexible sections flexible along their lengths. The first section is flexible within a first plane and the second section is flexible within the first plane as well as within a second plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of using a compactor to make a composite stiffener, comprising:
forming a composite stiffener layup;
bringing the compactor into contact with the stiffener layup, wherein the compactor is defined by a longitudinal axis;
adhering the stiffener layup to the compactor;
using the compactor to transport and place the stiffener layup on a surface;
flexing the compactor within two generally orthogonal planes intersecting along the longitudinal axis defining the compactor to conform the compactor to the geometry of the surface; and
using the compactor to compact the stiffener layup against the surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein adhering the stiffener layup to the compactor includes:
generating a vacuum inside the compactor, and
using the vacuum to suck the stiffener layup against the compactor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sucking the stiffener layup against the compactor includes generating a suction force by draw air through sides on the compactor in contact with the stiffener layup.