Tool for forming a composite component
US10906257B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2023/22
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is disclosed a tool (102) for forming a composite component having a curved body and an integral flange from a pre-form (200), the tool comprising: a curved body portion 104 having a lay-up surface (110); and a forming assembly (105) having a lay-up configuration and a forming configuration. The forming assembly comprises: a plurality of forming elements (106) each having a lay-up surface (120) and a primary flange-forming surface (122), the forming elements (106) being radially outwardly moveable between the lay-up configuration and the forming configuration, in which the forming elements are circumferentially spaced from one another; and a plurality of filler elements (107) each having a secondary flange-forming surface (156), the filler elements (107) being arranged to move into the circumferential gaps between the forming elements in the forming configuration so as to form a substantially continuous flange-forming surface. In use a pre-form (200) is disposed on the layup surfaces of the curved body portion (104) and the forming elements (106), and movement to the forming configuration causes the pre-form (200) to be deformed between the continuous flange-forming surface a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.