Double diaphragm vacuum bagging assembly and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10336014-B2
Application number	US-201615047802-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2016
Priority date	Feb 19, 2016
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

A vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly used in forming a component from composite material includes a first sheet of a first material. Also included is a second sheet of a second material for positioning between a three dimensional forming tool and the first sheet. A modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the first material. A method includes a step of positioning a composite laminate material between a first sheet of a first material and a second sheet of a second material. The second material has a modulus of elasticity greater than a modulus of elasticity of the first material. The method further includes a step of positioning the second material of the second sheet in overlying relationship to a three dimensional forming tool with the second material positioned between the three dimensional forming tool and the composite material.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A method for vacuum bag molding a composite component in a vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly, comprising the steps of:
positioning a composite laminate material between a first sheet comprising a first material and a second sheet comprising a second material wherein the second material has a modulus of elasticity greater than a modulus of elasticity of the first material;
positioning the second material of the second sheet in overlying relationship to a three dimensional forming tool with the second material positioned between the three dimensional forming tool and the composite laminate material, wherein:
the second sheet further comprises a portion of the second sheet constructed of a third material;
the modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the third material;
the second material of the second sheet is positioned in a central portion of the second sheet;
the third material of the second sheet is secured to and positioned about a perimeter of the second material of the second sheet and is secured to a frame; and

lowering the frame toward a support surface, wherein:
the support surface is associated with the frame and the support surface provides support for the three dimensional forming tool; and
a first side of the second material of the second sheet is positioned in contact with the three dimensional forming tool.

2. The method for vacuum bag molding a composite component of claim 1 , further includes a step of applying a releasing agent onto the second side of the second material of the second sheet prior to the step of positioning the composite laminate material.

3. The method for vacuum bag molding a composite component of claim 1 , further includes a step of securing the first sheet to the second material of the second sheet.

4. The method for vacuum bag molding a composite component of claim 1 , further including a step of forming an air tight seal between the frame and the support surface and forming an enclosure comprising of the support surface, the frame and the second and third materials of the second sheet.

5. The method for vacuum bag molding a composite component of claim 4 , further including a step of applying a reduced pressure from atmospheric pressure within the enclosure.

6. The method for vacuum bag molding a composite component of claim 5 , with the second material of the second sheet formed to the three dimensional forming tool, further including a step of discontinuing applying the reduced pressure from atmospheric pressure within the enclosure and including a step of releasing the frame from the support surface.

7. A vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly used in forming a component from composite material, wherein the vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly, comprises:
a first sheet comprising a first material; and
a second sheet comprising a second material for positioning between a three dimensional forming tool and the first sheet, wherein:
a modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the first material;
the second sheet further comprises a portion of the second sheet constructed of a third material;
the modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the third material;
the second material of the second sheet is positioned in a central portion of the second sheet;
the third material of the second sheet is secured to and positioned about a perimeter of the second material of the second sheet and is secured to a frame; and
the first and second sheets include a composite laminate material positioned between the first and second sheets and

a support surface, which provides support for the three dimensional forming tool, and is associated with the frame, wherein a first side of the second material of the second sheet is positioned to contact the three dimensional forming tool with lowering the frame toward the support surface.

8. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first material of the first sheet is constructed of one of latex and silicon.

9. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second material of the second sheet comprises one of a metal sheet and fiber reinforced elastomeric material.

10. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the third material of the second sheet comprises one of latex and silicon.

11. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 7 , further including the third material of the second sheet is secured to a frame.

12. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 7 , wherein a second side of the second material of the second sheet has a releasing agent positioned on the second side of the second material of the second sheet.

13. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 12 , wherein the composite laminate material is positioned overlying the releasing agent positioned on the second side of the second material of the second sheet.

14. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 13 , further includes the first material of the first sheet positioned overlying the composite laminate material and at least a portion of the second material of the second sheet.

15. The vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first sheet is secured to the second material of the second sheet.

16. A vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly used in forming a component from composite material, wherein the vacuum bagging diaphragm assembly, comprises:
a first sheet comprising a first material; and
a second sheet comprising a second material for positioning between a three dimensional forming tool and the first sheet, wherein:
a modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the first material;
the second sheet further comprises a portion of the second sheet constructed of a third material;
the modulus of elasticity of the second material is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the third material;
the second material of the second sheet is positioned in a central portion of the second sheet; and
the third material of the second sheet is secured to and positioned about a perimeter of the second material of the second sheet and is secured to a frame; and

a support surface, which provides support for the three dimensional forming tool, and is associated with the frame; wherein a first side of the second material of the second sheet is positioned in contact with the three dimensional forming tool with lowering the frame toward the support surface.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Stawski Stanley Warren

Classifications

• B29C70/44

  using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding · CPC title

• B29C70/28

  Shaping operations therefor · CPC title

• B29K2105/0872

  Prepregs · CPC title

• B29C53/04

  of plates or sheets {(B29C63/04 takes precedence; bending or folding paper B31F1/0003; folding films B65H45/00)} · CPC title

• B29C33/60

  Releasing, lubricating or separating agents {(in general C10M)} · CPC title