Patent · US Active

Systems and methods of forming a composite layup structure

US10160169B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by

12References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

General Electric Company · US

Inventors

Andreas Lutz · Bad Abbach, DE
Sultan Shair · Ismaning, DE
Thomas Kluge · Vallendar, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 25, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 26, 2037

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T156/1989
WIPO fieldOther special machines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A layup system for use in forming a composite layup structure from a plurality of plies of composite material, wherein an outermost ply of composite material has a removable film adhered thereto. The system includes a robotic device and an end effector coupled to the robotic device. The end effector includes a layer of compressible material configured to compress the plurality of plies of composite material together when positioned over the composite layup structure. The end effector further includes a first suction device configured to grip the removable film adhered to the outermost ply of composite material. The robotic device is configured to translate the end effector relative to the composite layup structure such that the removable film is peeled from the outermost ply of composite material while the first suction device grips the removable film.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.