US3879160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Isostatic curing apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-08-06
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1994-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An isostatic curing apparatus provides for the curing of a wrapped reinforced composite fibrous laminate into a hollow structural form with minimum subsequent effect on fiber positioning. A pressurized container is used to support a flexibly sleeved blow-through mandrel upon which is wrapped a fiber reinforced composite tape under relatively low tension. The apparatus permits fluid pressure to be internally and externally applied to the composite laminate during the curing process.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:01
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B5/00; B30B5/02; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C49/00; B29C49/42; B29C49/44; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An isostatic curing apparatus which comprises: hollow mandrel means for supporting a reinforced composite laminate wrapped thereon; housing means for holding said mandrel means therein, and for subjecting said mandrel means to fluid pressure; flexible sleeve means for simultaneously transmitting internal and external pressure to said laminate; fluid means for exerting pressure on said sleeve means; and clamping means for holding said sleeve means to said mandrel means while permitting entrapped gases in said composite laminate to be vented through said mandrel means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An isostatic curing apparatus which comprises: hollow mandrel means for supporting a reinforced composite laminate wrapped thereon; housing means for holding said mandrel means therein, and for subjecting said mandrel means to fluid pressure; flexible sleeve means for simultaneously transmitting internal and external pressure to said laminate; fluid means for exerting pressure on said sleeve means; and clamping means for holding said sleeve means to said mandrel means while permitting entrapped gases in said composite laminate to be vented through said mandrel means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An isostatic curing apparatus which comprises: hollow mandrel means for supporting a reinforced composite laminate wrapped thereon; housing means for holding said mandrel means therein, and for subjecting said mandrel means to fluid pressure; flexible sleeve means for simultaneously transmitting internal and external pressure to said laminate; fluid means for exerting pressure on said sleeve means; and clamping means for holding said sleeve means to said mandrel means while permitting entrapped gases in said composite laminate to be vented through said mandrel means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
An isostatic curing apparatus which comprises: hollow mandrel means for supporting a reinforced composite laminate wrapped thereon; housing means for holding said mandrel means therein, and for subjecting said mandrel means to fluid pressure; flexible sleeve means for simultaneously transmitting internal and external pressure to said laminate; fluid means for exerting pressure on said sleeve means; and clamping means for holding said sleeve means to said mandrel means while permitting entrapped gases in said composite laminate to be vented through said mandrel means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said mandrel means comprises: a tubular member having an axial longitudinal bore and a plurality of radial bores communicating with said longitudinal bore, said tubular member having internally threaded ends; a fluid inlet end member screwed to one threaded end of said tubular member, said fluid inlet end member having an axial fluid inlet bore therein which communicates with said longitudinal bore; and a venting end member screwed to the other threaded end of said tubular member, said venting end member having an axial counterbore therein and a plurality of radially positioned venting bores which communicate with said axial counterbore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing means comprises: a flanged tubular housing; a first housing end plate connected to one end of said tubular housing, said first end plate having an axial bore therein which allows said first end plate to slidably fit over said fluid inlet end member, and a first inlet orifice positioned therein; a second housing end plate connected to the other end of said tubular housing, said second end plate having an axial bore therein which allows said second end plate to slidably fit over said venting end member; a first nut threadedly attached to said fluid inlet end member; a second nut threadedly attached to said venting end member, said first and second nuts preventing said mandrel means from slidably moving within said housing means; and gasket means positioned intermediate said first and second housing end plates and the ends of said flanged tubular housing for retaining said fluid means within said housing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said flexible sleeve means comprises: an inner rubber sleeve positioned over said tubular member and under said laminate, and partially over said venting end member and said fluid inlet end member; and an outer rubber sleeve positioned over said laminate and partially over said venting end member and said fluid inlet member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said clamping means comprises: a bleeder cloth positioned between said inner and outer sleeves partially covering said venting end member; a first screw-band clamp forcibly holding said outer sleeve, bleeder cloth and inner sleeve tightly positioned to said venting end member to effect a fluid-tight seal between said inner sleeve and said venting member while allowing air to pass from said laminate through said bleeder cloth to said venting bores; a second screw-band clamp holding said outer sleeve to said venting end member to effect a fluid-tight seal therebetween; and a third screw-band clamp forcibly holding said outer and inner sleeves to said fluid inlet end member to effect a fluid-tight seal therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said rubber sleeve is made of silicone rubber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |