Controlled elastomeric tooling for plastic fabrication
US4388263A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1981 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S425/044
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composites are molded and cured in a system using controlled elastomeric tooling to apply molding pressure only after temperature has been increased to a selected point. A composite material to be molded and cured is typically placed between a fixed mold surface and a movable reaction block. A container is mounted on a fixed support behind the block in a manner permitting movement toward the block. The container has an interior base generally parallel to the block and an upstanding edge extending toward the block. A pad of an elastomeric material having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion is retained in the container by the edges. The pad extends beyond the edges into contact with the block. A gap of selected size lies between the pad and the container base. As the assembly is heated during molding, the pad expands into the gap without exerting significant pressure on the block. As heating continues, the gap becomes filled and the pad expands against the block exerting the selected molding pressure at the selected temperature. Adjustment means are provided permitting uniform molding pressures and pressure application temperatures over a …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.