Method for forming shaped preform
US9259859B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
5References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for shaping dry preform material prior to resin infusion is disclosed. The starting material to be shaped is a preform blank (e.g. flat sheet) of dry, fibrous material. The shaping process is a vacuum forming process that relies on controlling the vacuum pressure and deformation speed to produce a shaped preform with three-dimensional configuration. The purpose of the shaping process described herein is to enable an automated process to replace the conventional hand lay-up operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.