Multi-component mandrel for processing a composite part and method for fabricating a composite part
US11478958B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An example mandrel for processing a part is described including an inner core having a material with first thermal properties, and an outer layer surrounding the inner core. The outer layer includes a material with second thermal properties different than the first thermal properties to enable uniform pressure distribution within the mandrel. An example method for fabricating a composite part is described including placing a base composite layer into a cavity of a tooling surface, inserting a 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 a pressure due to thermal expansion of one of the inner core and the outer layer is distributed by the other, 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.