Composite manufacturing with a multi-dimensional array of independently-controllable thermal zones
US10059061B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for manufacturing a composite structure includes a tool with a surface for supporting component elements of the composite structure. The surface is divided into a multi-dimensional array of thermal zones for in-process control of the temperature of a component element (e.g. resin) of the composite structure. The sensors sense a characteristic of the component element and provide sensor data, which is applied to a machine-learning algorithm configured to generate control data to achieve a defined quality goal. A controller then independently controls the thermal zones to locally heat, cool or maintain the temperature of the component element according to the control data to advance the component element or composite structure to the defined quality goal. This may be performed over a plurality of instances during which the machine-learning algorithm learns to increase advancement of the component element or composite structure to the defined quality goal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.