Expandable bladders as tooling for composite parts
US11426951B2 · kind B2 · utility
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3References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2019 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/3082
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for utilizing pellet-loaded bladders to consolidate and/or harden composite parts. One embodiment is a method for fabricating a composite part. The method includes laying up a preform that is made of fiber reinforced material and that includes a cavity, inserting one or more bladders that are loaded with expandable pellets into the cavity, inflating the bladders in response to a triggering condition, consolidating the preform while the bladders are inflated, deflating the bladders, and removing the bladders from the cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.