Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-subsystem (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-subsystem (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-subsystem (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-subsystem (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article (22) comprises the steps of providing a tool (26) having a mold surface (24), providing a preform (62), and disposing the preform (62) on the mold surface (24). The method further comprises the steps of heating the mold surface (24) within a first period of time (Tt1), applying pressure to the preform (62) within a first period of time, and maintaining temperature of the mold surface (24) for a second period of time (Tt2). The method further comprises the steps of maintaining pressure for a second period of time, reducing pressure on the composite article (22), cooling the mold surface (24) within a third period of time (Tt3), and removing the composite article (22) from the mold surface (24). The total of Tt1+Tt2+Tt3 is generally no greater than about 30 minutes. A thermal system (20) comprising a heater-subsystem, and optionally, a chiller-subsystem, can be used to heat and cool the mold surface (24).

Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-sub system (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-sub system (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article (22) comprises the steps of providing a tool (26) having a mold surface (24), providing a preform (62), and disposing the preform (62) on the mold surface (24). The method further comprises the steps of heating the mold surface (24) within a first period of time (Tt1), applying pressure to the preform (62) within a first period of time, and maintaining temperature of the mold surface (24) for a second period of time (Tt2). The method further comprises the steps of maintaining pressure for a second period of time, reducing pressure on the composite article (22), cooling the mold surface (24) within a third period of time (Tt3), and removing the composite article (22) from the mold surface (24). The total of Tt1+Tt2+Tt3 is generally no greater than about 30 minutes. A thermal system (20) comprising a heater-subsystem, and optionally, a chiller-subsystem, can be used to heat and cool the mold surface (24).

Abstract: An elongate weatherseal for use in a motor vehicle body structure having an upper window frame, and a door having a windowpane movable between raised and lowered positions relative to the window frame. The weatherseal comprises an elongate hollow resiliently deformable body member having a V-shaped window retaining member with first and second arms. The first arm is secured to a first portion of the body member, and the second arm extends into the hollow part of the body member. When the windowpane is moved to its raised position, the upper end thereof engages a second portion of the body member and moves it inwardly into engagement with the closely spaced second arm. Inward movement of the second arm by the windowpane causes the first arm to move inwardly. Inward movement of the first arm flexes the first portion of the body member into engagement with the outer surface of the upper end of the windowpane for retaining the windowpane into sealing engagement with the weatherseal.