Integrated smart susceptor heater blanket debulk system for composites

An apparatus for processing an article through an application of heat to the article by the apparatus, comprising:

• a first smart susceptor heater blanket comprising a first wire ribbon, wherein:
• the first wire ribbon comprises a plurality of first wire assemblies;
• each first wire assembly is adjacent to at least one other first wire assembly;
• each first wire assembly comprises a litz wire and a susceptor wire wrapped around the litz wire to form a plurality of susceptor windings;
• the first wire ribbon serpentines across the first smart susceptor heater blanket;
• and
• the first wire ribbon is configured such that a current flow through each first wire assembly is in a direction opposite to a current flow through one or more adjacent first wire assemblies;
• a second smart susceptor heater blanket comprising a second wire ribbon, wherein:
• the second wire ribbon comprises a plurality of second wire assemblies;
• each second wire assembly is adjacent to at least one other second wire assembly;
• each second wire assembly comprises a litz wire and a susceptor wire wrapped around the litz wire to form a plurality of susceptor windings;
• the second wire ribbon serpentines across the second smart susceptor heater blanket;
• and
• the second wire ribbon is configured such that a current flow through each second wire assembly is in a direction opposite to a current flow through one or more adjacent second wire assemblies,
• wherein one of the first wire assemblies of the first wire ribbon is positioned adjacent to one of the second wire assemblies in the second wire ribbon and is configured such that a flow of current therethrough is in direction that is opposite to a flow of current through the second wire assembly positioned adjacent thereto;
• a frame comprising a first subsection and a second subsection, wherein:
• the article comprises a plurality of uncured layers to be processed, and the plurality of uncured layers to be processed can be cured through the application of heat;
• the first subsection comprises a layup mandrel configured to receive the plurality of uncured layers to be processed using the apparatus;
• the second subsection comprises a vacuum bag, the first smart susceptor heater blanket, and the second smart susceptor heater blanket, wherein the vacuum bag is configured to overlie the plurality of uncured layers to be processed;
• the plurality of uncured layers to be processed are positioned adjacent to the first smart susceptor heater blanket and adjacent to the second smart susceptor heater blanket;
• the first smart susceptor heater blanket and the second smart susceptor heater blanket are self-regulating with regard to temperature;
• and
• the first smart susceptor heater blanket and the second smart susceptor heater blanket are configured to reach and maintain a target temperature that is below a cure temperature of the plurality of uncured layers to be processed.