US4715923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for consolidating composite materials
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1985-12-26
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Granted: 1987-12-29
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Expires: 2005-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Fiber-reinforced resin deposits or other materials are consolidated in a noncontact-frictionless manner through the use of a pressurized plenum chamber (20) of a fluid bearing (10). The fluid bearing (10) is flexible and floats relative to the material (16) to be consolidated so that ply drop-offs and other variations in the thickness or surface contour of the material are easily accommodated. While within the plenum chamber, the material is locally heated by radiant energy from a source (30) positioned within the chamber. This localized heating enables the material to solidify in cooler zones of the plenum chamber under a uniform pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick L. Knoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:12
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/80; B29C66/82; B29C66/826; B29C66/8266; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/14; B29C65/1429; B29C65/1445; B29C65/1454; B29C65/1464; B29C65/1467; B29C65/78; B29C65/7858; B29C65/7861; B29C65/787; B29C65/7873; B29C66/004; B29C66/0042; B29C66/0044; B29C66/00441; B29C66/01; B29C66/03; B29C66/034; B29C66/0342; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/349; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/45; B29C66/81; B29C66/812; B29C66/8126; B29C66/81266; B29C66/81267; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/8248; B29C66/83; B29C66/834; B29C66/8351; B29C66/83541; B29C66/83543; B29C66/836; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/50; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0822; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12; B29C65/1403; B29C65/1412; B29C65/16; B29C66/001; B29C66/0012; B29C66/0014; B29C66/00141; B29C66/43; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/721; B29C66/73; B29C66/737; B29C66/7375; B29C66/73751; B29C66/73752; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/7394; B29C66/73941; B29C66/814; B29C66/8145; B29C66/81455; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface, comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated; means for inflating said cushion and pressurizing said plenum chamber with fluid to float said fluid bearing in proximate relationship to a work surface and material to be consolidated thereon; means for applying a load to said fluid bearing so as to develop a predetermined pressure in said plenum chamber; positioning means for positioning said fluid bearing so that said inflatable cushion is spaced from said material and said plenum chamber is superposed relative to said material and said work surface to apply the pressure in said plenum chamber to said material; and heating means for heating said material while the pressure in said plenum chamber is applied thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface, comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated; means for inflating said cushion and pressurizing said plenum chamber with fluid to float said fluid bearing in proximate relationship to a work surface and material to be consolidated thereon; means for applying a load to said fluid bearing so as to develop a predetermined pressure in said plenum chamber; positioning means for positioning said fluid bearing so that said inflatable cushion is spaced from said material and said plenum chamber is superposed relative to said material and said work surface to apply the pressure in said plenum chamber to said material; and heating means for heating said material while the pressure in said plenum chamber is applied thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said positioning means includes drive means for providing relative motion between said fluid bearing and said material to move said material relative to said plenum chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises radiant heating means for irradiating said material with radiant energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said radiant heating means comprises a source of infrared radiation and means for focusing infrared radiation from said source onto said material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises inductive heating means for inductively heating said material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said work surface has a curved contour and wherein the cushion of said fluid bearing is configured complementary to the curved contour of said work surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for consolidating material comprising: first and second fluid bearings, each of said fluid bearings having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated, said fluid bearings being disposed in opposed, facing relation to one another so that the respective inflatable cushions and plenum chambers thereof are disposed proximate one another to form an opening therebetween for receiving the material to be consolidated; means for inflating the cushion and pressurizing the plenum chamber of each of said fluid bearings with a fluid; means for urging said fluid bearings toward one another when said cushions are inflated and when said material is in said opening to develop a predetermined pressure in each of said plenum chambers, said means for urging cooperating with said means for inflating to support the material to be consolidated in said opening and out of physical contact with said cushions; and heating means for heating said material while the pressure in said plenum chambers is applied thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for consolidating material comprising: first and second fluid bearings, each of said fluid bearings having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated, said fluid bearings being disposed in opposed, facing relation to one another so that the respective inflatable cushions and plenum chambers thereof are disposed proximate one another to form an opening therebetween for receiving the material to be consolidated; means for inflating the cushion and pressurizing the plenum chamber of each of said fluid bearings with a fluid; means for urging said fluid bearings toward one another when said cushions are inflated and when said material is in said opening to develop a predetermined pressure in each of said plenum chambers, said means for urging cooperating with said means for inflating to support the material to be consolidated in said opening and out of physical contact with said cushions; and heating means for heating said material while the pressure in said plenum chambers is applied thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said heating means irradiates the material to be consolidated with radiant energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said heating means comprises a source of infrared radiation and means for focusing infrared radiation from said source onto said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable torus mounted on a surface of a rigid support, said torus having an open center that cooperates with said surface of the rigid support and an opposing surface to form a plenum when said torus is inflated, said rigid support having a chamber that opens into the center of said torus; a source of radiant energy mounted in said chamber so as to direct radiant energy throug the open center of said torus and onto a work surface and material positioned therebelow; means for positioning said fluid bearing so that said torus is in opposed relation to a work surface and material thereon to be consolidated; inflation means for inflating said torus and pressurizing the plenum formed thereby with fluid; and load means for applying a load to said rigid support to urge said torus toward a work surface and material thereon to be consolidated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable torus mounted on a surface of a rigid support, said torus having an open center that cooperates with said surface of the rigid support and an opposing surface to form a plenum when said torus is inflated, said rigid support having a chamber that opens into the center of said torus; a source of radiant energy mounted in said chamber so as to direct radiant energy throug the open center of said torus and onto a work surface and material positioned therebelow; means for positioning said fluid bearing so that said torus is in opposed relation to a work surface and material thereon to be consolidated; inflation means for inflating said torus and pressurizing the plenum formed thereby with fluid; and load means for applying a load to said rigid support to urge said torus toward a work surface and material thereon to be consolidated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said positioning means includes means for providing relative motion between said fluid bearing and material to be consolidated to move said material relative to said plenum chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said load means comprises a static weight mounted on the fluid bearing on a surface thereof that lies opposite the surface on which said torus is mounted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said load means is hydraulically operable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further including means for focusing radiant energy from said source onto said material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said source of energy comprises a lamp mounted in said chamber, and wherein said means for focusing comprises a curved reflective surface provided in said chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further including heat control means for regulating the temperature inside said plenum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said heat control means includes cooling means for cooling the source of radiant energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said cooling means comprises means connected with said inflation means for receiving fluid therefrom and directing said fluid about said source of radiant energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said work surface has a curved contour and wherein the torus of said fluid bearing is configured complementary to the curved contour of said work surface.
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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) | 1990-12-28 | 1991-06-29 | 1991-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-28 | 1995-06-29 | 1995-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-28 | 1999-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |