Cure tool with integrated edge breather and method of making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9937672-B2
Application number	US-201514602268-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2015
Priority date	May 15, 2009
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A tool for curing a composite layup comprises a tool body having a surface adapted to support a composite layup thereon. The tool includes an integrated breather for allowing removal of air from the layup during curing.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A machine comprising a tool body comprising:
an upper surface configured to support a part layup;
a central region; and
a breather that comprises a first set of grooves, in the upper surface of the tool body, that surround the central region, between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves comprising abutting laterally spaced apart grooves connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface; the breather configured to provide:
a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region between the outer edge of the central region and the sealer tape; and
breath for an edge of the part layup, during a cure cycle, through the substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape.

2. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
the second set of grooves comprising grooves spaced apart from each other to extend transversely through and intersect the first set of grooves.

3. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
the upper surface of the tool body configured to support the part layup within the central region, such that, in operation, the upper surface of the tool body supports the part layup; and
the cure cycle comprising an autoclave.

4. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising the breather being recessed within the upper surface of the tool body and configured to:
eliminate a need for consumable breather materials; and
remove air and volatiles through an edge of the part layup during curing, the edge of the-part layup being a side of the part layup that extends away from the upper surface of the tool body.

5. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising each groove in the first set of grooves and each groove in the second set of grooves being at least one of: slots, crevices, a network of channels, or combinations thereof, formed in the upper surface of the tool body.

6. The machine of claim 5 , such that the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves each respectively comprise a first set of channels extending generally parallel to each other.

7. The machine of claim 1 , such that the breather comprises at least one passageway in the tool body coupled with a network of channels and configured to be connected with a vacuum source for drawing air away from an edge of the part layup through the network of channels, such that, in operation, at least one passageway in the tool body coupled with the network of channels connects with a vacuum source for drawing air away from the edge of the part layup through the network of channels.

8. A machine for curing a composite layup, the machine comprising:
a tool body comprising an upper surface configured to support the composite layup; and
the upper surface of the tool body comprising a breather comprising a plurality of grooves comprising a first set of grooves that surround a central region of the tool body between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves comprising grooves abutting laterally, spaced apart from each other, and connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface, which are spaced apart from each other and extend transversely through and intersect the first set of grooves, the breather further configured to provide a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume surrounding the central region, during a cure cycle, such that edges of the composite layup breathe through the substantially continuous and constant breathing volume.

9. The machine of claim 8 , further comprising the breather configured to:
eliminate a need for consumable breather materials while curing the composite layup; and
remove air and volatiles through the edges of the composite layup during a cure cycle, the edges of the composite layup being a side of the composite layup that extends away from the upper surface of the tool body.

10. The machine of claim 8 , further comprising the upper surface configured to support the composite layup within a central region thereon.

11. The machine of claim 8 , further comprising the breather generally surrounding the central region and connected to a vacuum source such that the edges of the composite layup release air through the breather during curing of the composite layup.

12. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of grooves comprises:
at least one of: slots, crevices, and a network of channels, formed in the upper surface of the tool body; and
the first set of grooves extending generally parallel to each other.

13. The machine of claim 8 , further comprising:
at least one internal passageway in the tool body coupling the plurality of grooves with a vacuum source.

14. The machine of claim 8 , wherein first set of grooves and the second set of grooves respectively comprise channels that pass through the tool body.

15. The machine of claim 9 , wherein the cure cycle comprises autoclave curing the composite layup.

16. An autoclave cure machine comprising an integrated breather comprising:
a tool body that comprises an upper surface configured to support a composite part layup;
a breather integrally formed within the tool body and comprising a first set of grooves that surround a central region of the tool body, between an outer edge of the central region and a sealer tape, the first set of grooves abutting laterally, spaced apart and connected by a second set of grooves in the upper surface, the second set of grooves being spaced apart from each other and extend transversely through and intersect the first set of grooves;
at least one internal air passageway in the tool body having an inlet coupled at an intersection of the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves; and
an outlet configured to be coupled with a vacuum source for drawing air from an edge of the composite part layup being cured in the autoclave cure machine, the breather further configured to provide a substantially continuous and constant breathing volume, which an edge of the composite part layup breathes through, surrounding the central region during a cure cycle.

17. The autoclave cure machine of claim 16 , further comprising the breather configured to:
eliminate a need for consumable breather materials while curing the composite part layup; and
remove air and volatiles through the edge of the composite part layup during curing, the edge of the composite part layup being a side of the composite part layup that extends away from the upper surface of the tool body.

18. The autoclave cure machine of claim 16 , further comprising:
the first set of grooves comprising two generally parallel, laterally spaced apart channels located in the upper surface of the tool body and extending substantially around a composite part layup placed on the upper surface; and
the second set of grooves being located laterally spaced apart and abutting in the upper surface of the tool body and extending traverse to and interconnecting the first set of grooves.

19. The autoclave cure machine of claim 16 , further comprising:
the upper surface configured to support a composite part layup in a central region thereon;
a lower surface; and
the breather surrounding the central region, in the upper surface of the tool body.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Dull Kenneth M
• Louie Michael K
• Cox Gordon M

Classifications

• B29C37/0064

  of reinforced material · CPC title

• B29C2043/3647

  Membranes, diaphragms · CPC title

• B29C51/28

  for applying pressure through the wall of an inflated bag or diaphragm · CPC title

• B29C70/54

  Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations {, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing} · CPC title

• B29C70/44 Primary

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