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US5151277A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer system

Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-27
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Granted: 1992-09-29
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Expires: 2011-03-27
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Abstract

Abstract A reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system including a sealed chamber with first and second spaced flexible diaphragms for holding a fiber workpiece and press and die mold surfaces for forming the fiber workpiece.

Inventors

  • 👤 Edward Bernardon
  • 👤 Michael F. Foley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:34
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/18; B29C51/20; B29C33/00; B29C33/30; B29C33/301; B29C33/302; B29C51/08; B29C51/082; B29C51/087; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/443; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 87 words
A reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system comprising: a chamber including opposing flexible first and second spaced diaphragms, means for sealingly engaging the edges of the diaphragms, means for disposing an initially generally planar fiber workpiece between the diaphragms dividing the chamber into two sections, and means for introducing into at least one section a resin for impregnating said workpiece; and press and die means surrounding said chamber for embracing said chamber and forming a contained workpiece to conform to the shape of the press and die.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 87 words
A reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system comprising: a chamber including opposing flexible first and second spaced diaphragms, means for sealingly engaging the edges of the diaphragms, means for disposing an initially generally planar fiber workpiece between the diaphragms dividing the chamber into two sections, and means for introducing into at least one section a resin for impregnating said workpiece; and press and die means surrounding said chamber for embracing said chamber and forming a contained workpiece to conform to the shape of the press and die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 1 in which said means for sealingly engaging includes a first frame for mounting said first diaphragm and a second frame for mounting said second diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 2 in which said means for sealingly engaging further includes a peripheral seal between said frames.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 1 in which said chamber further includes clamping means for tensioning said fabric workpiece in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 1 in which said press and die means includes a reconfigurable press and die apparatus, at least one of said press and die including a plurality of mold surface segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 31 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 5 in which said Press and die means includes means for individually and selectively actuating said segments to configure a predetermined shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 5 in which both the press and die portion of said press and die apparatus include a plurality of mold surface segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
The reconfigurable fiber-forming resin transfer molding system of claim 7 in which said press and die means includes means for individually and selectively actuating said segments to configure a predetermined shape.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3596869A Cited
JPS62142628A Cited
US4731144A Cited
US4808362A Cited
US5108532A Cited
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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) 1995-09-29 1996-03-30 1996-09-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-09-29 2000-03-30 2000-09-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-09-29 2004-03-30 2004-09-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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