Apparatuses and methods for efficient sealing of vacuum bag seams
US9862154B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C70/44
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure relate to efficient sealing of vacuum bag seams for vacuum bag processing of composite parts. Vacuum bags may enclose a composite part and form a first sealed region around the composite part. The first sealed region may be sealed by vacuum bag seams to a base supporting the composite part and/or to other vacuum bags. The vacuum bag seams may be sealed with an edge sealing frame that forms a compression seal and that defines a second sealed region including the sealed seam. Vacuum applied to the second sealed region forms a vacuum moat adjacent to the seam and/or at least partially surrounding the first sealed region. Hence, minor leaks in the compressively sealed seam are mitigated by the vacuum moat and the vacuum integrity of the first sealed region is maintained despite some potential leaks in the sealed seam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.