Systems and methods for robotic arm end effector for tailored through thickness reinforcement
US12404616B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2022 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD10B2505/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An end effector for needling a fibrous preform includes a body (or head), a plurality of articulating presser feet mounted to the body and moveable with respect to the body, and a plurality of articulating needles mounted to the body and moveable with respect to the body. The needles may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The presser feet may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The end effector presser feet may conform to complex geometries of a fibrous preform. The end effector may control needling depth, needling density, applied tension and/or pressure on the fibrous preform, and needle angle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.