By Fluid Pressure Actuated Flexible Diaphragm Patents (Class 425/389)
  • Patent number: 8782893
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a honeycomb-structured object having a plurality of through holes having ends thereof plugged, including a step of pressing a plugging material against one end surface of a honeycomb-structured object 70 having a plurality of through holes 70a by a plate 20 to fill one ends of the through holes 70a with the plugging material; and a step of protruding a part of a portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 toward the one end surface to pull the other part of the portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 and the one end surface away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Uoe, Teruo Komori, Masaharu Mori
  • Patent number: 8764428
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for preparing preforms of carbon fiber-reinforced components including a preforming mold that can be immobilized on a work bench in an electrically insulated manner, and provided with at least two electrodes in positions in which they contact opposite end areas of the preform to generate a resistive electrical circuit through the carbon fibers to activate a binder present in the preform by heating, a leak-tight elastically deformable compacting membrane capable of adapting to the outer geometry of a preform arranged on the mold, and a pneumatic connection means connected to the compacting device to force the membrane to exert a compacting force on the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation
    Inventors: Miguel Segura Moreno, Ricardo Mezzacasa Lasarte, Francisco José Estensoro Astigarraga, José Ramón García Martínez, Xabier Irastorza Arregui, Valentin Collado Jiménez, Oihane Beloki Zubiri
  • Patent number: 8765048
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a mold assembly (32, 34) and a method of using the mold for the manufacture of composite parts which, more particularly, are generated from a strengthener in a generally solid phase and a matrix in a generally liquid phase. Various types of molds and processes may be used in order to impregnate a strengthener with a matrix such that a composite part may be manufactured, but the efficiency rate and the duration of the manufacturing process significantly varies depending on the chosen type of mold and process. The present invention relates to a mold assembly and to the manufacture of composites by using the mold assembly which includes the injection of the matrix in the mold assembly containing the strengthener and a deformable member (36) which favors the impregnation of the matrix toward the strengthener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Ruiz, Francios Trochu
  • Patent number: 8758006
    Abstract: Processes for manufacturing hollow structures such as spars for helicopter rotor blades, fixed wings for aircraft, and other aerostructures can include the provision of a path for gases to exit the material from which the spar is formed as the material is heated and cured, to help eliminate voids within the material caused by the presence of such gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Franklin D. Carson
  • Patent number: 8747092
    Abstract: The invention disclosed apparatuses and methods to do nanoimprint lithography using a deformable mold. Generally, the apparatus has a chamber with a transparent section on its top wall, which is capable of vacuuming and pressurizing. The deformable mold fixed firmly onto a hollow mold holder around its full periphery is attached to top inner surface of the chamber and positioned underneath the transparent section. The central area of the mold is freely accessible from underneath through the opening of the mold holder. An enclosed volume referring to mold mini-chamber is formed between the mold/holder and top wall of the chamber. Inside chamber, a stage assembly is installed. A chuck to vacuumly hold a substrate is mounted on top of the stage assembly. At beginning of the imprinting, the substrate with a layer of resist is positioned underneath the mold at a predetermined gap between them. Then, the substrate is moved up to contact with the mold either under vacuum or under atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Nanonex Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Hua Tan, Lin Hu, Stephen Y. Chou
  • Patent number: 8741208
    Abstract: Manufacturing of a composite component, such as a composite component of an aircraft, is provided with a molding tool that includes, but is not limited to a first mold, a second mold and a pressure generator. Between the first mold and the second mold, a membrane is arranged so that between the first mold and the membrane a first region is formed, and between the second mold and the membrane a second region is formed. In the first region, a fibrous mat is arranged. In the second region with the use of the pressure generator 116 counter-pressure can be produced so that the membrane is pressed in the direction of the fibrous mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Nothdurft, Günther Dressler, Rolf-Georg Sundermann, Georg Lonsdorfer
  • Patent number: 8740605
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is a spring tube melting machine of an air suspension system. The spring tube melting machine includes an inner molding part (100) and an outer molding part (200), which can mold an integrated spring tube by compressing half-finished spring tube materials at high temperature in order prevent bad molding due to the remaining air and overlap of spring tube materials and simplify maintenance due to repeated use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sunjin Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong hun Kim
  • Patent number: 8741199
    Abstract: The present application relates to a full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises a wafer stage, a full wafer coated with a liquid resist, a demolding nozzle, a composite mold, an imprint head, a pressure passageway, a vacuum passageway and a UV light source. The present application also relates to an imprinting method using the full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises the following steps: 1) a pretreatment process; 2) an imprinting process; 3) a curing process; and 4) a demolding process. The device and the method can be used for high volume manufacturing photonic crystal LEDs, nano patterned sapphire substrates and the like in large scale patterning on the non-planar surface or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Qingdao Technological University
    Inventors: Hongbo Lan, Yucheng Ding
  • Patent number: 8714961
    Abstract: A press with a pressure chamber and a lid. The chamber is filled with a substantially incompressible medium and the medium at least partially encloses an elastomeric pressure vessel. The vessel is filled with a substantially incompressible fluid that is in fluid communication with a pressurized source of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Jamin Micarelli
  • Publication number: 20140103585
    Abstract: A composite part, such as a stiffener is formed in place. A composite charge is placed on a tool spanning a mold cavity, with the centerline of the charge offset from the centerline of the mold cavity. Opposite sides of the charge are held against the tool as the charge is formed into the mold cavity. One side of the charge is held against movement on the tool while the other side of the charge is allowed to slip over the tool toward the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: THE BOEING COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8690561
    Abstract: A method for a vacuum process of isostatic pressing of powder material comprises preparing an explosive charged rubber bag by charging a rubber bag with powder, forming a vacuum environment by putting the explosive charged rubber bag in a vacuum box, sealing an inlet of the explosive charged rubber bag which is in a vacuum state, and maintaining the vacuum state by putting the explosive charged rubber bag in a fluid contained in a reservoir by a predetermined depth in a state that the inlet of the explosive charged rubber bag has been sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Jin Sung Lee, Hee Duk Park, Hee Sul Sa
  • Patent number: 8685300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoforming device for thermoforming a product (1) from a plastic foil (23), and to a corresponding method. The invention relates particularly to a thermoforming process and device in which a slot (2) is arranged in a product (1) to be formed. The invention also relates to a product (1), particularly a flowerpot, manufactured using this thermoforming device or method. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the cutting sleeve (10) and cutting plate (7) and/or hold-down element (8) define an auxiliary cutting line through which the plastic foil (23) is cut in order to arrange a slot (2) in the product (1) to be formed. The functions of slot-forming and product-foil separation are hereby performed by substantially the same components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Sprang Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Antoni Bosch, Martijn Haex
  • Patent number: 8678808
    Abstract: The imprint apparatus of the present invention molds an imprint material on a substrate using a mold and cures the imprint material to form a pattern on the substrate. The apparatus includes a holder configured to attract the mold to hold the mold; and a pressure reduction device configured to reduce a back pressure of the mold held by the holder, wherein the apparatus is configured to reduce the back pressure by the pressure reduction device in parallel with release of the mold from the imprint material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Setsuo Yoshida, Noriyasu Hasegawa, Yoshihiro Shiode, Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140077423
    Abstract: A method for inserting cores of rovings (2) into a press, in which fiber composite parts are produced, with the core being accepted by a removal tool (11, 12, 13), moved over a bottom (14) of a press, and placed here. The placement of the core on the bottom (14) of the press occurs with the help of an elastic membrane (12) arranged at the removal tool. A removal tool is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Martin Brummerstadt
  • Patent number: 8672665
    Abstract: Disclosed are fluid transfer and evacuation structures formed in a vacuum bag operable for use in vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, debulking, compaction, or similar processes. A reusable vacuum bag can be provided including an elastomeric membrane having a preform-contact surface and at least one textured surface formed in the elastomeric membrane. The textured surface can define a fluid transfer channel. At least one fluid extraction port can be provided in communication with the fluid transfer channel, the fluid extraction port being adapted for engagement to a vacuum pump to remove fluids from the fluid transfer channel. The textured surface defining the fluid transfer channel can be adapted to permit the flow of fluids between the elastomeric membrane and a base mold in communication with the elastomeric membrane when the fluid extraction port is engaged to a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ARJR Group, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Rydin, Robert J. Scrima, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8673205
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piece made of composite material that includes fibers that are immersed in a resin matrix, whereby the piece is placed in a first chamber with at least one flexible wall. The process includes a thermal cycle with essentially a first phase (50) at a first temperature during which the resin is liquid or in the “gel” state, and then a second phase (52) at a second temperature that is higher than the first during which solidification of the piece takes place by polymerization of the resin. An external pressure is applied to the outside of the first chamber and an internal pressure is generated inside the first chamber, wherein during the first phase (50), the relative internal pressure is less than 0 during a first period, and then greater than 0 during a second period preceding the beginning of the polymerization for reducing the porosity rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Denis De Mattia
  • Publication number: 20140069024
    Abstract: An inflatable mold assembly for forming a hollow composite construction member that is suitable for use as a building material has a longitudinal axis. The mold assembly further has a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity. A reinforcing fabric is positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall. A flexible air-impervious outer layer is positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space, and with the fabric being positioned within the elongated annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Habib J. Dagher, Richard F. Nye
  • Patent number: 8622109
    Abstract: A pressure debulking system includes a debulking chamber having a debulking chamber interior, a pressure bladder having a bladder interior provided in the debulking chamber interior, a vacuum port disposed in fluid communication with the debulking chamber interior and a pressure port disposed in fluid communication with the debulking chamber interior. A pressure debulking method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Froeschner, Derek J. Fox
  • Patent number: 8617342
    Abstract: A portable air clamp for use during lamination of substrates is provided. The clamp includes a top clamp plate, a bottom clamp plate and at least one flexible, expandable tube within a housing of the clamp. The top clamp plate is adjacent to a top housing and the bottom clamp plate is adjacent to a bottom housing. An expandable tube or bladder may be disposed in the top housing or the bottom housing. The clamp may also include alignment devices and mechanisms for ensuring proper alignment of the substrates during the laminating procedure. The clamp is adapted to provide uniform pressure along the surfaces of the substrates to be laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Errol Gendreau, Santiago Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8597014
    Abstract: An actuator is disclosed that includes a body, the body having a face, and a plurality of conduits located in the body, each conduit deformable in response to a change of pressure within the conduit, the deformation of the conduit configured to cause a deformation of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Petrus Maria Cadee, Noud Jan Gilissen, Johannes Petrus Martinus Bernardus Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 8597015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaping an airfoil. A prepreg assembly is positioned relative to a part in a plurality of parts for a tool for the airfoil using a positioning section for a frame. The positioning section is configured to move relative to the tool and a base of the frame and move a number of parts in the plurality of parts for the tool relative to each other. A number of sections in the prepreg assembly are heated. A force is applied to the number of sections in the prepreg assembly that have been heated to conform to the tool to cause the number of sections in the prepreg assembly that have been heated to conform to the tool with a shape for a component of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Raymond Neil Henderson
  • Patent number: 8591796
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods for molding and curing of composite articles are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a molding apparatus including an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support and a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support. In one embodiment, the mold includes an inner surface, the inner surface further including a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber. In one embodiment, a prepreg is further disposed within the molding chamber, wherein the prepreg is disposed on the first surface of the elastic layer. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer, thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Bruno Betoni Parodi, Julian Thomas O'Flynn, Thomas Kluge, Thomas Koerwien
  • Patent number: 8556618
    Abstract: A material forming apparatus and method for shaping a material to a forming tool having complex contours. The material forming apparatus may comprise a bladder sealed to a support structure, cooperatively forming a hollow space therebetween into which air or another gas may be pumped to inflate the bladder. The forming tool may comprise a protrusion of any shape to which the material may conform. The material may be placed between the bladder and the protrusion and the support structure may be actuated toward the forming tool. As the support structure progresses toward the forming tool, an area of material pressed against the protrusion by the bladder increases in an outward direction. A pressure regulator may regulate an amount of pressure applied to the material by the bladder as the bladder presses the material against the forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise F. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8556617
    Abstract: For manufacture of fiber-reinforced components, a positionable base frame is used on which a controllable holding device is provided for gripping and holding at least one reinforced fiber layer. A draping device is provided on the base frame, using which the reinforced fiber layer may be draped onto a mold core via the application of a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Broetje Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Raphael Reinhold, Stefan Juergens
  • Patent number: 8535042
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for manufacturing a flanged component from a composite lay-up are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the composite lay-up and a mold ring coupled to the support structure. The mold ring includes a ring guide surface and a radial contact surface that is configured to couple to the composite lay-up. The apparatus further includes a mold plate coupled to the mold ring. The mold plate includes a recessed surface and a plate guide surface, where the recessed surface is configured to couple to the composite lay-up and the plate guide surface is configured to couple to the ring guide surface. The apparatus also includes an autoclave that applies pressure to the mold ring and the mold plate to move the plate guide surface along the ring guide surface to apply pressure to the composite lay-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bowden Kirkpatrick, Mark Ernest Vermilyea, Mitchell Harold Boyer, Ming Xie, Elliott Keller Schulte, Benjamin Wayne Ferrell
  • Publication number: 20130209601
    Abstract: Processes for manufacturing hollow structures such as spars for helicopter rotor blades, fixed wings for aircraft, and other aerostructures can include the provision of a path for gases to exit the material from which the spar is formed as the material is heated and cured, to help eliminate voids within the material caused by the presence of such gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Franklin D. Carson
  • Patent number: 8500085
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a composite fiber component (1) the method comprising the following method steps: forming a moulding core (4) comprising a hollow profile (15) made of segments (16a . . . d) in order to establish an external geometry of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) of the moulding core (4) each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the moulding core (4) and are each constructed so as to be pivotable about an axis running in the longitudinal direction of the moulding core (4), between a folded position (A), and an unfolded position (B) of the hollow profile (15) of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) are constructed so as to be coupled to one another via connections (18a . . . d, 19a . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Torben Jacob, Joachim Piepenbrock
  • Patent number: 8491297
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a composite material part that includes a resin matrix reinforced by fibers and having a recessed shape with a small opening, whereby the device includes a mold whose shapes are adapted to those of the part to be produced, a compacting membrane and at least one shim that is placed in the recessed zone between the part and the compacting membrane whose function is to transmit the pressure exerted by the compacting membrane to the surfaces of the part that is in contact with the shim. The shim can be expanded and is able to occupy a first state before polymerization in which it occupies a low volume so as to allow its insertion into the recessed zone, and a second state, in particular during polymerization, in which it occupies a larger volume so as to exert pressure on the surfaces of the recessed zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Rodolphe Tricot, Pierre Estragnat
  • Patent number: 8419881
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a hollow composite structure by forming a prepreg product using a plurality of prepregs, forming a soft coating layer on an inner surface of the prepreg product, and compressing the prepreg product by applying pressurized air to the coating layer and, at the same time, applying heat to the prepregs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Younsei University
    Inventors: Heoung Jae Chun, Wook Jin Na
  • Publication number: 20130087953
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition for a curing bladder comprises isobutylene based elastomer, curative and a hydrocarbon polymer modifier comprising monomers selected from the group consisting of piperylenes, cyclic pentadienes, aromatics, limonenes, pinenes, amylenes, and combinations thereof, wherein the cyclic pentadienes comprise at least 10 weight percent of the monomers by total weight of the monomers. Also disclosed are a tire curing bladder made from the elastomeric composition, a tire curing press containing the bladder, a method of making the tire curing bladder, an improvement to the process of making the tire curing bladder to improve processability of the mixture and fatigue life and DeMattia cut growth, a method of making a tire using the tire curing bladder, and an improvement to the process of making a tire to extend a pull point of the curing bladder and/or to reduce the curing time for the tire construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Brendan Rodgers, Anthony Jay Dias, Robert John Claassen, II
  • Patent number: 8394310
    Abstract: An inflatable compaction tool for consolidating a composite material inside a faceted hollow or tubular mold for a composite part is made from an elastic material. The compaction tool includes relatively flat wall segments conjoined by corner segments that define a sealed chamber. The wall segments curve away from the mold surface toward the midpoint of each wall segment, so that as a pressurized fluid is introduced into the compaction tool, a component of the force exerted on the tool interior surface is transmitted through the wall segments toward the corner segments. Thus, during initial inflation, the corner segments are forced toward the corner regions of the mold before the wall segments contact the composite material, firmly compressing the composite material into the corner regions of the mold before the friction of the wall segments against the composite material inhibits expansion of the corner segments into the mold corner regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven F. Hanson, Amitabh Vyas
  • Patent number: 8393371
    Abstract: A system for processing a composite material may comprise a chamber, a mandrel, an upper ramp, and an upper diaphragm. The chamber generally provides structural support while a vacuum is applied to the system and may have a six-sided generally rectangular box shape. The mandrel generally provides support for the composite material, and may be located within the chamber. The upper ramp generally provides a path for the upper diaphragm to follow under vacuum, and may be located adjacent to the mandrel and tilted at approximately 45 degrees downward thereto. The upper diaphragm may be placed over an opening along one side of the chamber. During processing, a vacuum may be applied to chamber and the upper diaphragm may be pulled inward through the opening to press the composite material against the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Joseph Bryant, Christopher J. Morrow, Kenneth I. Fried
  • Publication number: 20130032974
    Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes, forming a cavity between a membrane and a structure, porting fluid to or from the cavity, positioning permeable material adjacent the membrane, generating a differential pressure across the membrane, deforming the membrane, and decreasing volume of the permeable material
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Randall V. Guest
  • Patent number: 8356989
    Abstract: Boeing is actively engaged in the production of lightweight composite airframes for both military and commercial applications. The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present invention provides a low cost, method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement and autoclave curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John C. Waldrop, William R. Burkett, Carmine J. Sesti, Bruce Harshman, Alan F. Tegeler, Wesley P. Weinman
  • Publication number: 20120308681
    Abstract: A system for managing elongation and stress dispersal in a bladder used during a deep draw high pressure process. Resilient bladder material is slitted at concentric or peripheral intervals from the bladder edge(s). The slits above are offset from slits below, such that as the bladder is stretched with deformational forces, the slits are widened, and as deformation forces are abated or relieved, the bladder and its slitting reassume their pre-deformation configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jamin Micarelli
  • Patent number: 8303887
    Abstract: A tool for the infusion of a resin into a preform made of fiber material includes a mould which can be closed around the preform and in the body of which at least one inlet duct is formed to allow resin to be injected into the mould so that the resin can be infused into the preform. At least one reservoir which can contain the resin, is also formed in the body of the mould and is connected to the at least one inlet duct. The mould can be inserted in an autoclave and the reservoir is configured to permit the transfer of the resin from the reservoir to the inlet duct under the effect of the temperature and of the pressure that are produced in the autoclave, thus allowing the resin to be injected into the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo De Vita, Francesco Beneventi, Marco Raffone
  • Patent number: 8287266
    Abstract: A preforming device and method of use thereof, the device including a rack, a pinion, belt, belt tensioning feature, and mechanism for supporting a variably appliable enhanced pressure, such as may be applied using a bladder or bladders having one or more valves, the device capable of engaging a mandrel to form at least one ply and a binder against the exterior of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Structures, Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher John Feeney
  • Patent number: 8282383
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system for expelling a gas positioned between a substrate and a mold, the substrate and the mold further having a liquid positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung-Jin Choi, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Ian Matthew McMackin, Pankaj B. Lad
  • Patent number: 8251691
    Abstract: A fluid reticulation system for a composite component production assembly, the production assembly including at least one pressure chamber (25) having a chamber wall (21) locatable adjacent a composite lay-up or mold, at least a portion of the chamber wall (21) being resiliently deformable, the fluid reticulation system being locatable within the inner volume of the pressure chamber (25) and including means (5) for distributing fluid towards an inner surface (22) of the chamber wall as the fluid enters the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Neil Deryck Bray Graham, Arthur Deryck Bray Graham, Haydn Law
  • Patent number: 8221666
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite structure and a composite structure obtained by the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Tommy Mikkelsen, Morten Stage
  • Patent number: 8215945
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a hollow FRP article by internal pressure molding includes a vacuum chamber, a forming die positioned in the vacuum chamber, a vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism, a composite-body support device for supporting a composite body without making the composite body come into contact with the forming die in a state where the forming die is opened by the vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism, the composite body including an airtight internal-pressure holding tube and a prepreg fitted on said airtight internal-pressure holding tube, an evacuation system for evacuating the vacuum chamber, an internal-pressure supplying device for applying pressure to an inside of the internal-pressure holding tube, and a controller for actuating the vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism to clamp the forming die to thereby bring the forming die and the composite body into intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Matsumoto, Akiyasu Higuchi, Masaki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8215944
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imprinting device and an imprinting method which can uniformly apply pressure between a mold and a molding object and which can increase and decrease a temperature at a fast speed. An imprinting device is for transferring a pattern on a mold to a film molding object and comprises a stage for holding the mold, a pressurizing-chamber casing which configures a pressurizing-chamber together with the molding object, sealing means which airtightly seals a space between the pressurizing-chamber casing and the molding object, opening and closing means which opens and closes the space between the pressurizing-chamber casing and the molding object, pressurizing means which adjusts atmospheric pressure in the pressurizing-chamber, heating means which heats either one of or both of the mold and the molding object, and degassing means which eliminates any gas present between the mold and the molding object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Scivax Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takaya, Yuji Hashima, Yoshihisa Hayashida, Hirosuke Kawaguchi, Satoru Tanaka, Akihiko Kanai, Kazuaki Uehara
  • Patent number: 8215946
    Abstract: System, method and process for imprinting a substrate using controlled deformation of a substrate and/or a template. The substrate and/or template may be positioned in single wave formation or double wave formation during an imprint lithography process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahadevan GanapathiSubramanian, Byung-Jin Choi, Mario Johannes Meissl
  • Patent number: 8215360
    Abstract: A solution to some of the problems related to manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composite panels is to provide a vacuum bag frame assembly for use in the production of fiber-reinforced composite panels, where the vacuum bag frame assembly comprises a tubular center frame, a first vacuum bag frame holding an integrated first vacuum bag and arranged for closing against a first side of the center frame, and a second vacuum bag frame holding a second integrated vacuum bag and arranged for closing against an opposite, second side of the tubular center frame. The tubular center frame is provided with a peripherally arranged vacuum outlet external relative to the space formed between the vacuum bags, and one or more vacuum apertures directed internally relative to the space formed between the first and second vacuum bags and the tubular center frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Frec Technology AS
    Inventors: Bjørn Pettersen, Pål Francis Hansen
  • Patent number: 8197244
    Abstract: A multilayer, flexible planar material for delimiting a matrix supply chamber during the production of fiber-reinforced plastic components made of fiber composite semifinished products includes a multifunction laminate, which has a diaphragm, a textile layer, which is laminated on the diaphragm, and a spacer layer, which is disposed on the textile layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Trans-Textil GmbH, Eads Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Utecht, Wilhelm Krings, Manfred Hänsch
  • Patent number: 8192574
    Abstract: A process for bonding a vented hollow component includes placing a preformed component with an aircraft skin on a tool surface, with bonding agent applied between the component and the skin. A vacuum bag is sealed about a vent in the preformed component. The vent may be formed through the vacuum bag and the component, or the vent may be preexisting (i.e., an open end of the preformed component or an aperture through the component). The vacuum bag is sealed to the tool surface with a temporary seal or adhesive, to enclose the preformed component and the skin. A vacuum is applied within the bagging material, to compress the preformed component with the aircraft skin, and the bagged assembly is autoclaved to cure the bonding agent. The vent in the preformed component facilitates pressure equalization within and outside of the component to enhance compression against the aircraft skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Boone
  • Publication number: 20120135099
    Abstract: A compliant cover is placed over a part being molded in a molding process. The compliant cover is formed from a plurality of longitudinal cells positioned next to one another. At least one communication port is coupled to each longitudinal cell, and a source of fluid media at a preselected temperature is coupled to the communication ports whereby the longitudinal cells may be filled with the fluid media at the preselected temperature. The compliant cover may thus be used to selectively heat and cool the part being molded to decrease the time required by the part to rise to the temperature required to cure the resin in the part and to cool the part so that it can be removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: MAG IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Jay M. Dean, Geoff Wood, William J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8182259
    Abstract: A molding apparatus comprises an upper molding box, a lower mold box, an upper flexible membrane covering an opening of the upper mold box, a lower flexible membrane covering an opening of the lower mold box, a heating system located in the upper mold box, a set of ports located between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane capable of being used to draw a vacuum between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane, and a displacement system located in the lower mold box under the lower flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Kuntz, Mark L. Younie
  • Patent number: 8163209
    Abstract: A method of controlling the geometry of a composite component (3). The method comprises applying pressure to the component with a pressure transmitter (6), and during said application of pressure: heating the component; measuring the position of the pressure transmitter to produce a feedback signal; and moving the pressure transmitter in response to a change in the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Glazebrook
  • Patent number: 8162652
    Abstract: A forming tool (100) for and a method of making a three dimensional composite component using double diaphragm forming. The forming tool (100) comprises a forming side having two or more regions of changing profile and one or more through holes associated with each region, the through holes exit on the forming side and are connectable to one or more vacuum sources such that vacuum can be selectively and discretely applied to each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Giovanni Antonio Marengo, Paul Michael Roberts, Jonathan Moram