Selectively flexible caul and method of use
US6290895A · kind A · utility
47Cited by
6References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S425/044
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A caul is used in an autoclave process for consolidating a composite, multi-ply, gas turbine fan blade preform having first and second opposite sides and a varying thickness therebetween. The caul includes a body having fibers situated in a matrix. The caul is complementary in shape to the preform first side and has a bending flexibility varying over the body for correspondingly varying consolidation of the preform. The second side of the preform is shaped by a bottom mold in the autoclave chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.