Title:
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FABRICATING COMPOSITE STIFFENERS WITH A RIGID/MALLEABLE SMP APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/064441
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as an internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid tool and as a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. The composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external mold and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. In some embodiments, an impermeable sheet of material may also be placed over portions of the composite material to compress it against the SMP apparatus. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external mold. When the composite material is cured, the pressure differential may be equalized and/or reversed and the malleable SMP apparatus may be removed from within the composite part.
Inventors:
KYSAR RANDY (US)
FIEGENBAUM CARL RAY (US)
PICKELL KRISTIN (US)
FIEGENBAUM CARL RAY (US)
PICKELL KRISTIN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2011/055435
Publication Date:
July 19, 2012
Filing Date:
October 07, 2011
Export Citation:
Assignee:
SPIRIT AEROSYS INC (US)
KYSAR RANDY (US)
FIEGENBAUM CARL RAY (US)
PICKELL KRISTIN (US)
KYSAR RANDY (US)
FIEGENBAUM CARL RAY (US)
PICKELL KRISTIN (US)
International Classes:
B29C39/40; B29C61/06
Foreign References:
| US20100127427A1 | 2010-05-27 | |||
| US20080315466A1 | 2008-12-25 | |||
| US7422714B1 | 2008-09-09 | |||
| US20100123270A1 | 2010-05-20 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LUEBBERING, Thomas B. (10801 Mastin Blvd. Suite 100084 Corporate Wood, Overland Park Kansas, US)
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