Demolding

US11701796B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Courtney Michele Fix · Burien, US
• Robert W. Murray · West Palm Beach, US
• Paul Diep · Bothell, US
• Robert E. Lee · Lake Stevens, US
• Richard A. Skilton · Bothell, US
• Ronald Leroy McGhee · Lynnwood, US
• Zachary Nathaniel Stoddard · Mukilteo, US
• Patrick B. Stone · Monroe, US
• Phillip Andrew Taylor · Salt Lake City, US
• Nickolas Scott Ellerbeck · Cottonwood Heights, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2021
• Grant date: Jul 18, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 15, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C2001/0072
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system includes a mandrel contoured to define a tapering tubular shape of a workpiece cured on the mandrel and a demolding tool. The demolding tool is configured to remove the workpiece from the mandrel after the workpiece is cured on the mandrel and cut longitudinally. The demolding tool is configured to remove the workpiece from the mandrel by deforming a first end of the workpiece to at least partially disengage the first end of the workpiece from a first end of the mandrel, and subsequently, deforming a second end of the workpiece to at least partially disengage the second end of the workpiece from a second end of the mandrel. The first end of the workpiece may have a first cross-sectional area that is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of the second end of the workpiece.