Flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum compaction devices, flexible vacuum chucks, and systems and methods including the same
US9375908B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/17
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum compaction devices that include the flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum chucks that include the flexible vacuum compaction devices, and systems and methods including the same. The flexible material transfer devices include a flexible substrate that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation and a deployed conformation. The flexible substrate defines a material contacting surface that is configured to contact a charge of composite material and to selectively and operatively attach to the charge of composite material. The flexible substrate further defines a plurality of retention conduits that are at least partially defined by the material contacting surface and are configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto. The flexible material transfer device further includes a retention manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.