Apparatus for manufacturing a flanged component and methods of manufacturing the same

US8535042B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Bowden Kirkpatrick · Niskayuna, US
• Mark Ernest Vermilyea · Niskayuna, US
• Mitchell Harold Boyer · Cincinnati, US
• Ming Xie · Beavercreek, US
• Elliott Keller Schulte · Hurst, US
• Benjamin Wayne Ferrell · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C33/20
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for manufacturing a flanged component from a composite lay-up are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the composite lay-up and a mold ring coupled to the support structure. The mold ring includes a ring guide surface and a radial contact surface that is configured to couple to the composite lay-up. The apparatus further includes a mold plate coupled to the mold ring. The mold plate includes a recessed surface and a plate guide surface, where the recessed surface is configured to couple to the composite lay-up and the plate guide surface is configured to couple to the ring guide surface. The apparatus also includes an autoclave that applies pressure to the mold ring and the mold plate to move the plate guide surface along the ring guide surface to apply pressure to the composite lay-up.