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US 9,937,672 B2Granted
Cure tool with integrated edge breather and method of making the same
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKenneth M. Dull, Michael K. Louie, Gordon M. Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for curing a composite layup comprises a tool body having a surface adapted to support a composite layup thereon. The tool includes an integrated breather for allowing removal of air from the layup during curing.
Claims19
A machine comprising a tool body comprising:
- an upper surface configured to support a part layup;
- a central region;
- and
- a breather that comprises a first set of grooves, in the upper surface of the tool body, that surround the central region, between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves comprising abutting laterally spaced apart grooves connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface;
- the breather configured to provide:
- a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region between the outer edge of the central region and the sealer tape;
- and
- breath for an edge of the part layup, during a cure cycle, through the substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape.
5 more elements
A machine for curing a composite layup, the machine comprising:
- a tool body comprising an upper surface configured to support the composite layup;
- and
- the upper surface of the tool body comprising a breather comprising a plurality of grooves comprising a first set of grooves that surround a central region of the tool body between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves comprising grooves abutting laterally, spaced apart from each other, and connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface, which are spaced apart from each other and extend transversely through and intersect the first set of grooves, the breather further configured to provide a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region, during a cure cycle, such that edges of the composite layup breathe through the substantially continuous and constant breathing volume.
An autoclave cure machine comprising an integrated breather comprising:
- a tool body that comprises an upper surface configured to support a composite part layup;
- a breather integrally formed within the tool body and comprising a first set of grooves that surround a central region of the tool body, between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves abutting laterally, spaced apart and connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface, the second set of grooves being spaced apart from each other and extend transversely through and intersect the first set of grooves;
- at least one internal air passageway in the tool body having an inlet coupled at an intersection of the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves;
- and
- an outlet configured to be coupled with a vacuum source for drawing air from an edge of the composite part layup being cured in the autoclave cure machine, the breather further configured to provide a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume, which an edge of the composite part layup breathes through, surrounding the central region during a cure cycle.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.