Induction heating cells with controllable thermal expansion of bladders and methods of using thereof
US10701767B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B6/105
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.