US3701190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and the method of compacting an irregularly shaped article
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-07
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use in and a method of compacting an article such as a fan or compressor blade made up of plies of a composite of high strength fibers in a metallic matrix with heat applied during the compacting in which a fluid pressure is applied to the article during the heating to assure a complete compaction and a removal of any voids in the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilton F Stone Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:51
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B5/00; B30B5/02; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/02; B22F3/03; B22F3/04; B22F3/045; B23; B23P; B23P15/00; B23P15/02; B30B11/00; B30B11/001; B30B15/00; B30B15/02; B30B15/022; C; C22; C22C; C22C47/00; C22C47/20; F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/12; F01D5/28; F01D5/282; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49316; Y10T29/49336; Y10T29/49337; Y10T29/49801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In a bonding die for an Article having an irregular shape such as a fan blade, a die having a shaped surface conforming to one surface of the irregular shaped article, a punch cooperating with said die and having a cooperating shaped surface conforming in shape to the opposite surface of said irregularly shaped article, means for moving said punch and die together to define a cavity for the article and to shape the article therebetween, a flexible membrane overlying one of said shaped surfaces and in a position to overlay one surface of the article, and means for supplying a fluid under pressure in back of said membrane for exerting a uniform pressure over the entire area of the surface of the article with which the membrane engages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a bonding die for an Article having an irregular shape such as a fan blade, a die having a shaped surface conforming to one surface of the irregular shaped article, a punch cooperating with said die and having a cooperating shaped surface conforming in shape to the opposite surface of said irregularly shaped article, means for moving said punch and die together to define a cavity for the article and to shape the article therebetween, a flexible membrane overlying one of said shaped surfaces and in a position to overlay one surface of the article, and means for supplying a fluid under pressure in back of said membrane for exerting a uniform pressure over the entire area of the surface of the article with which the membrane engages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A die as in claim 1 in which the edges of said membrane have sealing means thereon and the punch and die have cooperating surfaces for clamping said sealing means therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
positioning said laidup plies between appropriately shaped dies one for each side of the airfoil, said dies having a cavity therebetween substantially the shape of the completed airfoil,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
positioning said laidup plies between appropriately shaped dies one for each side of the airfoil, said dies having a cavity therebetween substantially the shape of the completed airfoil,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
positioning a flexible membrane over one side of the assembled plies and between said plies and the dies, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
positioning a flexible membrane over one side of the assembled plies and between said plies and the dies, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A bonding die as in claim 2 in which the membrane extends beyond the peripheries of the cooperating shaped surfaces and one of said punch or die has a groove therein spaced from the shaped surface thereon to receive said sealing means on said membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the manufacture of a composite airfoil such as a fan or compressor blade the steps of:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the manufacture of a composite airfoil such as a fan or compressor blade the steps of:
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
applying a fluid pressure to the side of the membrane opposite to the assembled plies to provide a uniform pressure over the entire airfoil surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
applying a fluid pressure to the side of the membrane opposite to the assembled plies to provide a uniform pressure over the entire airfoil surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of heating the airfoil and dies while the pressure is applied to cause the matrix to fill the spaces around the fibers to produce an article free of voids.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |