Tool and a method for forming and assembling beams of composite material
US9878505B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/772
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tool for forming a C-section beam made of carbon fiber includes a straight elongated mandrel with a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section. The mandrel has three consecutive outer faces, with a planar face configured to form a surface of the web of the C-section beam, and two opposing lateral faces, configured to form two respective surfaces of the flanges of the C-section beam. The mandrel has a distributed perforation on at least one of the three outer faces and an inlet/outlet connection to connect the mandrel to an external source of vacuum and/or compressed air. Passages are formed inside the mandrel to establish a fluid communication between the distributed perforation and the inlet/outlet connection. Through the distributed perforation, a vacuum is applied to the interface between the mandrel and the C-section beam to retain the C-section beam on the mandrel while lifted and turned by 180° for coupling to a similar C-section beam to assemble an H-beam. Applying compressed air through the perforation facilitates the removal of the C-section beam from the mandrel at the end of the compaction step.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.