Patents by Inventor Vance N. Cribb
Vance N. Cribb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10899084Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include forming a ply stack comprising a plurality of uncured composite plies, wherein one or more uncured composite ply of the plurality of uncured composite plies comprises a plurality of perforations that extend, at least partially, through a thickness of the one or more uncured composite ply; and compacting the ply stack to form a composite structure. The plurality of perforations may provide paths for volatiles to be removed through the thickness of the one or more uncured composite ply of the ply stack during the compacting. Volatiles may also be removed through edges of the ply stack during the compacting. In some instances, all uncured composite plies of the ply stack may include a plurality of perforations that extend, at least partially, through the thickness of each uncured composite ply.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Suvankar Mishra, Jesse J. Wrabel, Vance N. Cribb, III
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Patent number: 10850460Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
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Publication number: 20200086593Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
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Publication number: 20200016880Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include forming a ply stack comprising a plurality of uncured composite plies, wherein one or more uncured composite ply of the plurality of uncured composite plies comprises a plurality of perforations that extend, at least partially, through a thickness of the one or more uncured composite ply; and compacting the ply stack to form a composite structure. The plurality of perforations may provide paths for volatiles to be removed through the thickness of the one or more uncured composite ply of the ply stack during the compacting. Volatiles may also be removed through edges of the ply stack during the compacting. In some instances, all uncured composite plies of the ply stack may include a plurality of perforations that extend, at least partially, through the thickness of each uncured composite ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Suvankar Mishra, Jesse J. Wrabel, Vance N. Cribb, III
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Patent number: 10518491Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
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Patent number: 10155366Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged laminate including the process of cutting out a damaged section and replacing damaged section with a repair laminate, then covering the repair laminate with a vacuum bag having a heater disposed therein. Thereafter, applying heat and pressure to the repair laminate with the heater and vacuum bag to adequately debulk and cure the repair laminate.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb
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Patent number: 9930728Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
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Publication number: 20180065328Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
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Patent number: 9849640Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, III, Dumitru Jitariu
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Patent number: 9849656Abstract: A method of repairing a core stiffened structure, including removing a damaged portion of the core stiffened structure; bonding a shelf onto a first core member; bonding a second core member to a shelf; and securing a skin patch over the second core member.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Robert Wardlaw, Brian S. Modrzejewski, Byron Mueller, Vance N. Cribb, III
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Publication number: 20160101878Abstract: A method of repairing a core stiffened structure, including removing a damaged portion of the core stiffened structure; bonding a shelf onto a first core member; bonding a second core member to a shelf; and securing a skin patch over the second core member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Robert Wardlaw, Brian S. Modrzejewski, Byron Mueller, Vance N. Cribb, III
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Publication number: 20160031197Abstract: A method of attaching a composite member to a structure is provided. The method includes forming a laminate of fabric impregnated with resin; applying an adhesive to an area of the structure needing repair; positioning the impregnated laminated on the adhesive applied the area of the structure needing repair; applying a single vacuum enclosure over the laminate and the adhesive; applying heat at a first temperature to the impregnated laminate; applying a partial vacuum at a first vacuum pressure within the single vacuum enclosure to the impregnated laminate to degas the resin in the impregnated laminate and form a degassed laminate; and curing the degassed laminate and adhesive on the area of the structure needing repair by applying heat at a second temperature and by applying vacuum at a second vacuum pressure within the single vacuum enclosure, the second vacuum pressure greater than the first vacuum pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Vance N. CRIBB, III, Denver WHITWORTH
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In-situ, multi-stage debulk, compaction, and single stage curing of thick composite repair laminates
Patent number: 9034137Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a bonding material to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the bonding material. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu -
Publication number: 20130255856Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, III, Dumitru Jitariu
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Publication number: 20130056131Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged laminate including the process of cutting out a damaged section and replacing damaged section with a repair laminate, then covering the repair laminate with a vacuum bag having a heater disposed therein. Thereafter, applying heat and pressure to the repair laminate with the heater and vacuum bag to adequately debulk and cure the repair laminate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb
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Patent number: 8382924Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu
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Publication number: 20130043232Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
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In-Situ, Multi-Stage Debulk, Compaction, and Single Stage Curing of Thick Composite Repair Laminates
Publication number: 20100258235Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a bonding material to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the bonding material. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu -
Publication number: 20100243146Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu