Expandable tooling systems and methods
US11046027B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Prior to curing a composite workpiece assembly, an expandable element can be inserted into a cavity of the workpiece assembly. The expandable element is configured to expand when a predetermined change is produced in an attribute of the element. The attribute can be a temperature of the element. The element is expanded by producing the predetermined change, and the workpiece assembly is cured while the expanded element is in the cavity, so that the expanded element applies positive pressure to inner surfaces of the cavity during curing. The expanded element can be removed from the cavity after curing. The expanded element can comprise a plurality of expandable pellets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.