Mandrel for processing a composite part and method for fabricating a composite part
US11220027B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/757
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mandrel for processing a part is described that includes a solid mandrel body with an elastomeric material, and hollow micro-particles embedded within the solid mandrel body in a uniform distribution. The hollow micro-particles deform in response to a change in a processing environment resulting in a distribution of voids in the solid mandrel body. A method for fabricating a composite part is also described that includes placing a base composite layer into a cavity of a tooling surface, inserting the mandrel into the cavity, applying a skin to the mandrel and the base composite layer forming a package, enclosing the package in a vacuum bag and curing the base composite layer and the skin such that during curing the hollow micro-particles deform resulting in the distribution of voids in the solid mandrel body, and removing the mandrel from the cavity of the tooling surface following the curing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.