• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
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    • 专利摘要:
    APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR USE IN AUTOCLAVE CURE OF A COMPOSITE LOAD. The present invention relates to a composite part load that has an internal cavity that is placed in a tool and covered by a vacuum bag for autoclave curing. A bladder is placed in the cavity to react to the pressure of the autoclave in the load. The bladder is attached to a flexible fluid reservoir located under the vacuum bag. The bladder is pressurized by the pressure of the autoclave applied through the vacuum bag to the flexible fluid reservoir.
    公开号:BR102013014257B1
    申请号:R102013014257-3
    申请日:2013-06-07
    公开日:2020-12-01
    发明作者:William Stahl Hollensteiner；Kurtis S. Willden
    申请人:The Boeing Company；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] [0001] The present description generally relates to methods and equipment for manufacturing composite resin parts, and deals more particularly with a bladder system used to cure composite parts within an autoclave. 2. Background
    [0002] [0002] Composite resin parts can be cured inside an autoclave that applies heat and pressure to the part during a curing cycle. Some part geometries include internal cavities that can cause the part to collapse under the pressure of the autoclave unless a tool, such as an inflatable bladder is placed in the cavity to obtain the pressure force of the autoclave applied to the part. For example, in the aeronautical industry, inflatable bladders can be inserted into the cavities of composite stringer trays that are autoclaved in mandrel-like curing tools. These bladders are pressurized by ventilating them until the pressure of the autoclave.
    [0003] [0003] There are several problems with the bladders described above, which can lead to inconsistencies in the cured parts. For example, failure to properly ventilate the bladder can prevent the bladder from becoming sufficiently pressurized to obtain the applied autoclave pressures. Similarly, insufficient bladder pressurization can result in the failure of the sealing tape used to seal a ventilation hole that couples the bladder to external ventilation. It is also possible for a bladder wall to fail or be penetrated, in which case autoclave gases can be forced into the part during the curing cycle. These problems can be particularly problematic where a large number of stringers are checked for other parts at the same time. For example, where countless stringers are cured with a fuselage lining, each bladder placed on the stringers is a potential source of leakage in the cured structure that can render the entire framework unusable or extensively reshaped.
    [0004] [0004] Consequently, there is a need for an unventilated bladder system that can reduce or eliminate the adverse effects that result from leaks in the bladder or failure to properly pressurize the bladder. There is also a need for a bladder system and healing method that does not require ventilation for the pressure of the autoclave, and that can eliminate the need for bladder vent holes. summary
    [0005] [0005] The described modalities provide an unventilated bladder system that can substantially reduce or eliminate inconsistencies in the healed parts due to leakage from the bladder, leakage of the bladder and / or failure of a bladder to properly ventilate the autoclave pressures . The described system can reduce product unusability and / or the need for reformulation. In addition, the method and the unventilated bladder system described can reduce labor costs and improve production flow. The modalities eliminate the need to use a sealing tape around a ventilation hole in the bladder. A fluid reservoir is permanently connected to the bladder ventilation hole and is sealed under a vacuum bag, thereby eliminating leakage paths around the bladder ventilation. The reservoir pressurizes the bladder cavity when the autoclave is pressurized. In the event of a leak in the bladder, only the volume of the bladder is leaked into the piece.
    [0006] [0006] According to a described modality, an apparatus is provided for use in autoclaving curing of a composite part load that has an internal cavity. The device comprises a flexible bladder adapted to be placed in the cavity to apply pressure to the composite part load during curing, and a fluid reservoir to pressurize the bladder, the reservoir and bladder being coupled together in a closed system. The apparatus may additionally comprise a flexible bag sealed along the flexible bladder and the fluid reservoir, where the flexible bag is in face-to-face contact with the fluid reservoir and transmits the pressure from the autoclave to the fluid reservoir. The apparatus may also comprise a curing tool adapted to have the composite part load located therein, and in which the fluid reservoir is located in the curing tool and the flexible bag is sealed to the cured tool. The fluid reservoir is flexible. The bladder includes a vent hole, and a portion of the fluid reservoir is connected to the bladder and includes a fluid outlet coupled to the vent hole in the bladder. The fluid reservoir may include a sealed vacuum port under the flexible bag adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to selectively relieve pressure within the fluid reservoir after the composite load has been cured. The bladder includes a partition that forms an inner chamber within the bladder, and a filling material that fills the inner chamber that has a density that is sufficient to harden the bladder when the bladder is pressurized by fluid from the fluid reservoir. The partition includes a flexible side that is exposed to the fluid in the fluid reservoir. The flexible side flexes to apply pressure to the filling material when the fluid reservoir pressurizes the bladder.
    [0007] [0007] According to another modality described, an unventilated bladder system is provided for use in autoclaving healing of a composite part load. The non-ventilated bladder system comprises a bladder adapted to apply pressure to the composite part load, and a flexible fluid reservoir adapted to contain an amount of fluid and compressible through the pressure applied by the autoclave to supply fluid pressure to the bladder , in which the fluid reservoir is coupled to the bladder in a closed fluid system that is not ventilated in the autoclave. The fluid reservoir is connected to the bladder. The fluid reservoir includes a fluid outlet, and the bladder includes a ventilation hole coupled to the fluid outlet. The bladder includes a flexible partition exposed to the fluid in the fluid reservoir that forms an internal chamber within the bladder, and a filling material within the inner chamber to harden the bladder.
    [0008] [0008] In another embodiment, the apparatus is provided for applying substantially uniform external air pressure to an uncured part that has an internal cavity. The apparatus comprises a tool adapted to have the part located in it, a bladder adapted to be placed inside the internal cavity and in contact with the part, the bladder being adapted to be pressurized with a fluid, a reservoir of the fluid coupled to the bladder, and a flexible bag sealed to the tool and that covers the part, the bladder and the reservoir. The reservoir is connected to the bladder to form a single assembly that can be installed and removed from the internal cavity. The reservoir includes flexible walls in face-to-face contact with the flexible bag that allows external pressure to be applied to the reservoir through the flexible bag. The bladder includes filling material to harden the bladder, and a partition that separates the filling material from the reservoir fluid. The reservoir and bladder form a closed fluid system that is not vented until external pressure.
    [0009] [0009] According to yet another modality, an autoclave curing method of a composite part load that has an internal cavity is provided. The method comprises placing the composite part load on a tool, installing a bladder into the cavity, coupling the pebble to a fluid reservoir, sealing a flexible bag along the part and the reservoir, and using the flexible bag to transmit pressure from the autoclave to the reservoir to force the fluid from the reservoir into the bladder. Coupling the bladder to the reservoir includes connecting the bladder to the reservoir before the bladder is installed in the cavity. Sealing the bag includes sealing the bag to the tool. The method may further comprise hardening the bladder by filling the bladder with a filling material, and separating the filling material from the fluid by placing a partition in the bladder. The method may also comprise the use of a vacuum to lower the flexible bag against the sides of the reservoir.
    [0010] [00010] According to an additional modality, an autoclave method of curing a composite part load that has an internal cavity is provided. The method comprises supporting the load of the composite part inside the autoclave, and pressurizing a bladder inside the internal cavity using the pressure of the autoclave to force the fluid from a fluid reservoir into the bladder. The use of autoclave pressure to force fluid from the fluid reservoir into the bladder includes evacuating a sealed vacuum bag along the fluid reservoir, and using the bag to transmit pressure from the autoclave to the fluid reservoir.
    [0011] [00011] In short, according to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus has been provided for use in autoclaving curing of a composite load that has an internal cavity, which includes a flexible bladder adapted to be placed in the cavity for apply pressure to the composite load during curing; and a reservoir of fluid to pressurize the bladder, the reservoir and bladder being coupled together in a closed system.
    [0012] [00012] Advantageously, the device that additionally includes a flexible bag sealed along the flexible bladder and the fluid reservoir, and in which the flexible bag is in face-to-face contact with the fluid reservoir.
    [0013] [00013] Advantageously, apparatus, in which the flexible bag transmits the pressure from the autoclave to the fluid reservoir.
    [0014] [00014] Advantageously, the apparatus that additionally includes a curing tool adapted to have the composite load located therein, and in which the fluid reservoir is located in the curing tool and the flexible bag is sealed to the cured tool.
    [0015] [00015] Advantageously, apparatus in which the fluid reservoir is flexible.
    [0016] [00016] Advantageously, the apparatus in which the bladder includes a vent hole, and a portion of the fluid reservoir is connected to the bladder and includes a fluid outlet coupled to the vent hole in the bladder.
    [0017] [00017] Advantageously, the apparatus in which the reservoir includes a vacuum port adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to selectively relieve pressure within the fluid reservoir.
    [0018] [00018] Advantageously, the apparatus in which the bladder includes a partition that forms an inner chamber within the bladder, and a filling material that fills the inner chamber and that has a density that is sufficient to harden the bladder when the bladder is pressurized by the fluid from the fluid reservoir.
    [0019] [00019] Advantageously, the apparatus in which the partition includes a flexible side that is exposed to the fluid from the fluid in the fluid reservoir, and the flexible side flexes to apply pressure to the filling material when the fluid reservoir pressurize the bladder.
    [0020] [00020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an unventilated bladder system has been provided for use in autoclaving healing of a composite part load, which includes a bladder adapted to apply pressure to the composite part load; and a flexible fluid reservoir adapted to contain a fluid quality and compressible through the pressure applied by the autoclave to supply the fluid pressure to the bladder, in which the fluid reservoir is coupled to the bladder in a closed fluid system. than is not ventilated to the autoclave.
    [0021] [00021] Advantageously, an unventilated bladder system, in which the fluid reservoir is connected to the bladder.
    [0022] [00022] Advantageously, an unventilated bladder system, in which the fluid reservoir includes a fluid outlet, and the bladder includes a ventilation hole coupled to the fluid outlet.
    [0023] [00023] Advantageously, the non-ventilated bladder system in which the bladder includes a flexible partition exposed to the fluid from the fluid reservoir that forms an internal chamber inside the bladder, and a filling material inside the bladder. inner chamber to harden the bladder.
    [0024] [00024] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus has been provided for applying substantially uni-form external air pressure to a part having an internal cavity, which includes a tool adapted to have the part placed therein; a bladder adapted to be placed inside the internal cavity and in contact with the part, the bladder being adapted to be pressurized with a fluid; a fluid reservoir coupled to the bladder; and a flexible bag sealed to the tool and covering the part, the bladder and the reservoir.
    [0025] [00025] Advantageously, the device in which the reservoir is connected to the bladder to form a single assembly that can be installed and removed from the internal cavity.
    [0026] [00026] Advantageously, the device, in which the reservoir includes flexible walls in face-to-face contact with the flexible bag that allows external pressure to be applied to the reservoir through the flexible bag.
    [0027] [00027] Advantageously, the apparatus in which the bladder includes the filling material to harden the bladder, and a partition that separates the filling material from the reservoir fluid.
    [0028] [00028] Advantageously, the device in which the reservoir and the bladder form a closed fluid system that is not ventilated until the external pressure.
    [0029] [00029] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an autoclave method of curing a composite load has been provided which has an internal cavity, which includes placing the composite load on a tool; install a bladder inside the cavity; coupling the bladder to a fluid reservoir; seal a flexible bag along the composite load and the reservoir; and use the flexible bag to transmit pressure from the autoclave to the reservoir to force the fluid from the reservoir into the bladder.
    [0030] [00030] Advantageously, the method in which the coupling of the bladder to the reservoir includes connecting the bladder to the reservoir before the bladder is installed in the cavity.
    [0031] [00031] Advantageously, the method in which the sealing of the bag includes sealing the bag to the tool.
    [0032] [00032] Advantageously, the method that additionally includes hardening the bladder by filling the bladder with a filling material, and separating the filling material from the fluid by placing a divider in the bladder.
    [0033] [00033] Advantageously, the method which additionally includes using a vacuum to lower the flexible bag against the sides of the reservoir.
    [0034] [00034] Advantageously, the method which additionally includes re-moving the flexible bag of the composite load and the reservoir after the composite load has been cured; and relieve pressure within the bladder by loading the reservoir to a vacuum source after the flexible bag has been removed.
    [0035] [00035] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, an autoclave method of curing a composite part load having an internal cavity has been provided, which includes supporting the load of the composite part within the autoclave; and pressurizing a bladder into the internal cavity using pressure from the autoclave to force fluid from the fluid reservoir into the bladder.
    [0036] [00036] Advantageously, the additional method in which the use of autoclave pressure to force fluid from the fluid reservoir into the bladder includes evacuating a sealed vacuum bag along the fluid reservoir, and using the bag to transmit the pressure from the autoclave to the fluid reservoir.
    [0037] [00037] The features, functions and advantages can be obtained independently in several modalities of the present description or can be combined in still other modalities in which the additional details can be observed with reference to the description and the following drawings. Brief Description of Drawings
    [0038] [00038] The new features characteristic of the advantageous modalities are established in the attached claims. However, the advantageous modalities, as well as a preferred mode of use, objectives and additional advantages thereof, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of an advantageous modality of the present description when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which :
    [0039] [00039] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a functional block diagram of an unventilated bladder system, according to the mode described.
    [0040] [00040] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of a composite resin stringer cured using the non-ventilated bladder system shown in FIG. 1.
    [0041] [00041] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view of a curing tool used to cure a composite stringer load.
    [0042] [00042] FIG. 4 is an illustration similar to FIG. 3, however, which shows a stringer load that was placed on the tool.
    [0043] [00043] FIG. 5 is an illustration similar to FIG. 4, however, showing an inflatable bladder that has been placed inside the long-ridge cargo cavity.
    [0044] [00044] FIG. 6 is an illustration similar to FIG. 5, however, which additionally shows a coating load that has been placed on the stringer load.
    [0045] [00045] FIG. 7 is an illustration similar to FIG. 6, however, showing a hood plate that has been installed along the coating load.
    [0046] [00046] FIG. 8 is an illustration similar to FIG. 7, however, which shows the sealing tape that was applied around the periphery of the curing tool.
    [0047] [00047] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective view of an end of the curing tool shown in FIG. 8, a flexible fluid reservoir that was installed in the curing tool and attached to the flexible bladder.
    [0048] [00048] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9, however, which additionally shows a vacuum bag that has been installed and sealed to the curing tool.
    [0049] [00049] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10, however, which shows an alternative modality that employs a partition inside the bladder, with the bladder being shown in its non-pressurized state.
    [0050] [00050] FIG. 12 is an illustration similar to FIG. 11, however, showing the bladder that was pressurized through the pressure of the autoclave applied to the fluid reservoir through the vacuum bag.
    [0051] [00051] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a diagrammatic view showing the fluid volumes that reach the composite load in the event of a leak in the non-ventilated bladder system.
    [0052] [00052] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a flow chart of an autoclave curing method for a composite part load that has an internal cavity that uses an unventilated bladder system.
    [0053] [00053] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a flowchart of an alternative method of autoclave curing of a composite part load using an unventilated bladder system.
    [0054] [00054] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a flowchart of aircraft production and service methodology.
    [0055] [00055] FIG. 17 is an illustration of an aircraft block diagram. Detailed Description
    [0056] [00056] Referring first to FIG. 1, an uncured composite resin piece 20, later referred to as a "charge", a "composite charge", a "composite piece charge" or a "stringer charge", is secured in a cure 22 located in an autoclave 26 in which heat and autoclave pressure are applied to the composite load 20. The composite load 20 includes one or more internal voids, trapped or delimited areas, or cavities, which for ease of description, will be collectively referred to later in this document as a cavity 28. A flexible inflatable bladder 30 is located within the cavity 28 prior to a curing cycle in order to react to the autoclave pressures applied to the load 20 during curing. A flexible fluid reservoir 32 is mounted on the curing tool 22 and is coupled to the bladder 30 in a way that forms a closed bladder system 25 that is not vented to the atmosphere inside the autoclave 26. In other words, the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32 form a closed fluid system that is not directly exposed to the internal atmosphere of the autoclave 26. A flexible bag, such as a vacuum bag 24, is placed along and sealed to the tool cure 22, which covers the composite load 20, the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32. The flexible bag 24 is adapted to be coupled to a suitable vacuum source 64 to evacuate the flexible bag 24. During healing, the bladder 30 is pressurized using a substantially non-compressible fluid (not shown) supplied from the fluid reservoir 32.
    [0057] [00057] As will be discussed in more detail below, due to the fact that both the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32 are located under the vacuum bag 24, the bladder 30 is not ventilated until the internal atmosphere of the autoclave 26, that is, the bladder 30 is unventilated. Preferably, the combination of the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32 forms a closed unventilated bladder system 25 that is controlled by the air pressure of the autoclave exerted on the vacuum bag 24. Optionally, the bladder 30 may include an internal partition 35 that substantially separates the total internal volume of the bladder 30 from the fluid supplied from the fluid reservoir 32. Reducing the pressure within the fluid reservoir 32 allows the bladder 30 to suffer a slightly partial collapse preventing , thus, that the bladder 30 becomes "locked" in the composite load 20 and facilitates the easy removal of the bladder 30 from the cured composite load 20.
    [0058] [00058] Referring now to FIG. 2, the unventilated bladder system and the curing method described can be employed to cure any of a variety of composite resin pieces of various geometries, which have one or more internal cavities. For example, and without limitation, the described system and method can be used in the manufacture of a fiber-reinforced composite resin stringer 23, which may comprise a pre-impregnated multilayer tray. The spar 23 includes a reinforcing profile 27 that forms an internal cavity 31, a pair of laterally extending flange sections 29 and a substantially flat casing section 33 that is consolidated together with the flange sections 29 during curing. Other stringer geometries are possible.
    [0059] [00059] FIGS. 3 to 10 respectively illustrate the successive stages in the preparation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 for curing stringer 23 shown in FIG. 2. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, a curing tool 22 produced from any suitable material includes an internal cavity 28 that defines a reinforcing profile tool face 32, and a pair of laterally extending flange section tool faces 34. The tool faces 32, 34 are configured to respectively match the geometry of the reinforcing profile and flange sections 27, 29, respectively, of the stringer 23. The curing tool 22 has a substantially flat upper tool surface 36 surrounding the inner cavity 28 , a chamfered surface 38 in an ex-cavity of the cavity 28, and a substantially flat end section 40. An end of the internal cavity 28 is opened at 42. As will be discussed below, the curing tool 22 can be used to mount the composite stringer loads, and cure the loads mounted inside an autoclave 26 (FIG. 1). Although the illustrated healing tool 22 has a geometry that is adapted to match the features of the lon-garine 23, it should be noted that the unventilated bladder system described 25 can be used with healing tools that have any different -verse other geometries, depending on the application and the load of the particular composite part to be cured.
    [0060] [00060] Referring to FIG. 4, a composite stringer load 20 is placed on the curing tool 22. The stringer load 20 comprises a cover 20a that fills cavity 28 and engages the face of tool 32 (FIG. 3), and a pair of flanges laterally extending 20b, which respectively engage the tool faces 34. The longitudinal load 20 can be deposited on a separate tray tool (not shown) and then transferred to the curing tool 22, or Alternatively, depending on the part load geometry, it is possible to deposit the stringer directly on the curing tool 22.
    [0061] [00061] Referring now to FIG. 5, after the stringer load 20 has been placed on the curing tool 22, a flexible bladder 30 is placed inside the cavity 28 (FIG. 4) of the stringer load 20 in order to react to the autoclave pressures that are applied during a curing cycle. The rubber band 30 can be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, and without limitation, an elastomer. A release agent can be applied to the bladder 30 before being installed to facilitate further removal of the bladder from cavity 28 following healing. Bladder 30 includes a bladder vent 44 which is adapted to be coupled to the fluid reservoir 32 shown in FIG. 1, as will be discussed below. In this example, the bladder 30 is configured to substantially match the geometry of the cavity 28 and has a substantially flat top surface 30a that is substantially aligned with the flat tool surfaces 36 of the curing tool 22.
    [0062] [00062] Referring now to FIG. 6, after the bladder 30 has been installed, as shown in FIG. 5, a substantially flat composite coating load 46 is placed on the curing tool 22, overlapping the bladder 30 and in face-to-face contact with the flanges 20b (FIG. 5) of the stringer load 20 and the flat tool surfaces 36. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, a hood plate 48 can be installed along the flat composite coating load 46 in order to apply substantially uniform pressure across the coating load 46 during a curing process. Also, although not shown in FIG. 7, peel plies, release threads and / or respirators or other components can be installed together with the hood plate 48, depending on the application. As shown in FIG. 8, a suitable sealing tape 50 or other suitable sealant is applied to the perimeter of the curing tool 22 in preparation for the vacuum bagging of the tool 22. At this point, a vacuum probe base 52 can be applied to the end section plane 40 of the healing tool 22.
    [0063] [00063] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a flexible fluid reservoir 32 is connected to the bladder 30, so that the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32 can be installed and removed as a single assembly, if desired. The fluid reservoir 32 is coupled to the vent hole 44 (FIG. 8) in the bladder 30 and is supported on the chamfered surface 38 of the curing tool 22 when the bladder 30 is in place within the composite loading cavity 28 The fluid reservoir 32 can be permanently connected and sealed to the bladder 30 thus relieving the need to reconnect the bladder 30 to a pressure source whenever the bladder 30 is installed in a composite load 20 in preparation for a healing process. This arrangement also eliminates the need to place a sealer around the vent hole 44 whenever the bladder is installed in a composite load 20. The fluid reservoir 32 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as, without limitation, an elastomer. A vacuum probe 54 is mounted on the vacuum probe base 52, and is adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source (not shown) to evacuate the vacuum bag 24 during a curing cycle.
    [0064] [00064] Referring now to FIG. 10, the fluid reservoir 32 may have a generally rectangular or square cross-sectional shape with sides 32a that are flexible and may deform plastically inward, as shown by the dashed lines 32b when external pressure is applied to the fluid reservoir 32. A portion 32b of fluid reservoir 32 is connected in contact face to face with one end of the bladder 30 and includes a fluid outlet 41 which is aligned and coupled to the vent hole 44 in the bladder 30, allowing fluid to flow between the reservoir fluid 32 and bladder 30. In other embodiments, fluid reservoir 32 may have a different shape, and may or may not be connected to bladder 30. Following the installation of fluid reservoir 32 shown in FIG. 9, the flexible bag 24, sometimes referred to as a vacuum bag 24, formed by any suitable material, such as polyester or nylon, is installed along the tool 22, covering the fluid reservoir 32, the loads of stringer 20, 46 and bladder 30. The vacuum bag 24 is in face-to-face contact with the fluid reservoir 32. The vacuum bag 24 is sealed to the periphery of the curing tool 22 and around the vacuum probe 54 using sealing tape 50 or other suitable sealants. The evacuation of the vacuum bag 24 lowers the vacuum bag 24 in face-to-face contact with the sides of the fluid reservoir 32, allowing the pressure of the PA autoclave to be applied to the fluid reservoir 32.
    [0065] [00065] Optionally, the fluid reservoir 32 can include a vacuum port 60 which is adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source (not shown) after the vacuum bag 24 has been removed following a curing cycle. Vacuum port 60 is closed and sealed under vacuum bag 24 during curing, however, it includes a valve or other device (not shown) that allows connection of the internal volume 56 of fluid reservoir 32 to the vacuum source after curing is completed and the vacuum bag has been removed. Coupling the fluid reservoir 32 to the vacuum source in this way relieves the fluid pressure within the fluid reservoir 32, which in turn reduces pressure within the bladder 30, allowing the bladder 30 to empty or slightly collapse. Emptying the bladder 30 in this way reduces the maximum cross-sectional dimension (not shown) of the bladder 30 by an amount that is sufficient to allow the bladder 30 to be removed from the cured stringer.
    [0066] [00066] During a cure performed inside an autoclave, the pressure of the PA autoclave forces the vacuum bag 24 against the curing tool 22, thus compacting the composite load 20 while also applying pressure to the fluid reservoir 32. The pressure of the PA autoclave applied to the fluid reservoir 32 causes the fluid to flow 45 from the internal volume 56 of the fluid reservoir 32 through the bladder ventilation hole 44 into the bladder 30, thereby pressurizing internally the bladder 30. This pressurization of the bladder 30 causes a force 55 to be applied to the composite load 20 which reacts to the pressure of the PA autoclave applied to the composite load 20. When the cure is complete, the pressure of the PA autoclave is removed from the vacuum bag 22 and thus removed from the fluid reservoir 32. The resulting reduction in fluid pressure within the fluid reservoir 32 allows fluid to flow from the bladder 58 through the vent hole 44 from vol to the fluid reservoir 32.
    [0067] [00067] As previously discussed, the fluid reservoir 32 can be permanently sealed to the bladder 30, thus freeing itself from the need to put a sealant around the vent hole 44 (FIG. 8) every time the bladder 30 is installed on a composite load 20. The permanent seal of the fluid reservoir 32 to the bladder 30, therefore, can eliminate leakage around the vent hole 44 into the composite load 20. In the event of a leak in the bladder 30 or in the fluid reservoir 32, fluid leakage into the composite load 20 is limited to the total volume of the bladder 30 and the fluid reservoir 32, since the bladder system 25 (FIG. 1) is a closed system and does not allow air from the autoclave to enter the composite load cavity 28 (FIG. 4).
    [0068] [00068] An alternative embodiment of the described non-ventilated bladder system is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the bladder 30 includes an internal partition 35 that separates the inner chamber 65 from the bladder 30 from the fluid supplied by the fluid reservoir 32. The partition 35 is produced from a flexible material and can be integrally formed with the bladder 30 The bladder chamber 65 is filled with a flowable filler material 66 which has a relatively low CTE (thermal expansion coefficient) and a density selected to provide the bladder 30 with a desired level of rigidity. One side 75 of the partition 35 is exposed to the fluid supplied by the fluid reservoir 32. The fluid from the reservoir 56, which is forced against the bladder 30 through the pressure of the PA autoclave, exerts the pressure of fluid PF (FIG. 12) against partition 35, causing partition 35 to flex inward to the position 35a shown in FIG. 12 thereby pressurizing the filler material 66. Pressurizing the pre-filler material 66 results in an outward pressure 68 that is exerted against the composite load 20.
    [0069] [00069] Referring now to FIG. 13, in the case of a leak in the non-ventilated bladder system 25 described above, the volume of air inside the autoclave 26 (FIG. 1) does not reach the composite load 20, because the bladder system 25 is sealed under the bag vacuum 24. Preferably, the total amount of fluid possibly reaching the composite load 20 in the event of a leak from the bladder 30 or fluid reservoir 32 (FIGS. 10-12) is limited to the interior volume of the reservoir fluid 56 plus the volume of the bladder chamber 65.
    [0070] [00070] Attention is now turned to FIG. 14 which broadly illustrates the steps of an autoclave healing method using the non-ventilated bladder system 25 described above. Starting at step 70, a composite resin load 20 is placed in a suitable tool, which can be a curing tool. In 72, a flexible inflatable bladder 30 is installed in an internal cavity 28 of the load 20. In 74, the flexible bladder 30 is coupled to a flexible fluid reservoir 32 that contains a quantity of fluid. In 76, the composite load 20 together with the fluid reservoir 32 is covered with a flexible bag 24, such as a vacuum bag that is then sealed to the curing tool 22. In 78, the pressure of the autoclave PA is applied to the bag 24 in order to compress the fluid reservoir 32 and force the fluid from the reservoir 32 into the bladder 30, thereby pressurizing the bladder 30 to react the forces applied to the composite load 20 through pressure of the autoclave. Optionally, in step 80, an internal partition 35 inside the bladder 30 can be used to transmit the pressure to the bladder 30 using the fluid pressure generated by the fluid reservoir 32. Also, optionally, in step 82 Following curing and removal of the vacuum bag 24, the pressure within the fluid reservoir 32 can be relieved to assist in the removal of the bladder by coupling the fluid reservoir 32 to a suitable vacuum source.
    [0071] [00071] An alternative method of curing a composite part load 20 is shown in FIG. 15. In 84, a composite part load 20 is placed on a tool 22, and in 86, a bladder 30 is installed in a cavity 28 of the composite part load 20. Bladder 60 is coupled to a fluid reservoir 32 in step 88. Next, as shown in step 90, a flexible bag 24 is sealed along the composite part load 20 and fluid reservoir 32. In step 92, flexible bag 24 is used to transmit pressure from the autoclave to the fluid reservoir 32 to force the fluid from the reservoir 32 into the bladder 60.
    [0072] [00072] The description modalities can find use in a variety of potential applications, particularly in the transport industry, which include, for example, aerospace, marine, automotive and other applications where autoclave curing composite parts can be used. Thus, referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the modalities of the description can be used in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 94, as shown in FIG. 16 and an aircraft 96, as shown in FIG. 16. Aircraft applications of the described modalities may include, for example, without limitation, curing of more rigid elements, such as, without limitation, beams, longions and long lines, to name just a few. During pre-production, the exemplary method 94 may include the specification and design 98 of aircraft 96 and the acquisition of material 100. During production, component manufacturing and subassembly 102 and system integration 104 of aircraft 96 occur. Subsequently, aircraft 96 may undergo certification and delivery 96 in order to be put into service 108. While in service by a customer, aircraft 96 is scheduled for routine maintenance and service 110, which may also include modification, reconfiguration, restoration , and so on.
    [0073] [00073] Each of the method 94 processes can be executed or carried out by a system integrator, third parties and / or an operator (for example, a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include without limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major system subcontractors; third parties may include, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors and suppliers; and an operator can be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.
    [0074] [00074] As shown in FIG. 17, aircraft 96 produced by exemplary method 94 can include an airplane structure 112 with a plurality of systems 114 and an interior 116. Examples of high-level systems 114 include one or more between a propulsion system 18, an electrical system 120, a hydraulic system 122 and an environmental system 124. Any number of other systems can be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the description can be applied to other industries, such as the marine and automotive industries.
    [0075] [00075] The systems and methods incorporated in this document can be used during any one or more of the stages of the production and service method 94. For example, the components or sub-components that correspond to the production process 102 can be manufactured or manufactured in a manner similar to the components or sub-assemblies produced while aircraft 96 is in service. Also, one or more types of apparatus, method modalities, or a combination of these can be used during the production stages 102 and 104, for example, substantially promoting the assembly or reduction of the cost of an aircraft 96. Similarly, one or more apparatus modalities, method modalities, or a combination thereof may be used while aircraft 96 is in service, for example, and without limitation, in maintenance and service 110.
    [0076] [00076] The description of the different advantageous modalities has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the modalities in the manner described. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, different advantageous modalities can provide different advantages when compared to other advantageous modalities. The selected modality or modalities are chosen and described in order to better explain the principles of the modalities, their practical application, and to allow others skilled in the art to understand the description for various modalities with various modifications, as they are suitable for use particularly contemplated.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [0001]
    Apparatus for use in autoclave curing (26) of a composite load (20) that has an internal cavity (28), characterized by the fact that it comprises: a flexible bladder (30) adapted to be placed in the cavity to apply pressure on the composite load (20) during curing; a fluid reservoir (32) for pressurizing the bladder (30), the reservoir (32) and the bladder (30) being coupled together in a closed system (25); and a flexible bag (24) sealed along the flexible bladder (30) and the fluid reservoir (32) in which the flexible bag (24) is in contact face to face with the fluid reservoir (32).
    [0002]
    Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the flexible bag (24) transmits pressure from the autoclave (26) to the fluid reservoir (32).
    [0003]
    Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: a curing tool (22) adapted to have the composite load (20) located there, and wherein the fluid reservoir (32) is located on the curing tool (22) and the flexible bag (24) is sealed to the cured tool (22).
    [0004]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluid reservoir (32) is flexible.
    [0005]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that: the bladder (30) includes a ventilation hole (44), and a portion (32) of the fluid reservoir (32) is connected to the bladder (30) and includes a fluid outlet (41) coupled to the ventilation hole in the bladder (30).
    [0006]
    Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the reservoir (32) includes a vacuum port (60) adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source (64) to selectively relieve pressure within the reservoir of fluid (32).
    [0007]
    Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the bladder (30) includes: a partition (35) that forms an inner chamber (65) within the bladder (30), and a filling material (66) that fills the inner chamber (65) and that has a density that is sufficient to harden the bladder (30) when the bladder (30) is pressurized by the fluid from the fluid reservoir (32).
    [0008]
    Apparatus, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that: the partition (35) includes a flexible side that is exposed to the fluid from the fluid in the fluid reservoir (32), and the flexible side flexes to apply pressure to the filling material (66) when the fluid reservoir (32) pressurizes the bladder (30).
    [0009]
    Autoclave curing method (26) of a composite load (20) that has an internal cavity (28), characterized by the fact that it comprises: placing (70) the composite load (20) on a tool (22); installing (72) a bladder (30) into the cavity; coupling (74) the bladder (30) to a fluid reservoir (32); seal (76) a flexible bag (24) along the composite load (20) and the reservoir (32) in contact face to face with the fluid reservoir (32); and use (78) the flexible bag (24) to transmit the pressure from the autoclave (26) to the reservoir (32) to force the fluid from the reservoir (32) into the bladder (30).
    [0010]
    Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the coupling (74) of the bladder (30) to the reservoir (32) includes connecting the bladder (30) to the reservoir (32) before the bladder (30) is installed in the cavity.
    [0011]
    Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that sealing (76) the bag (24) includes sealing the bag (24) to the tool (22).
    [0012]
    Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: harden the bladder (30) by filling the bladder (30) with a filling material (66), and separate the filling material (66) from the fluid by placing (80) a divider (35) in the bladder (30).
    [0013]
    Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: use a vacuum to extract the flexible bag (24) down against the sides of the reservoir (32).
    [0014]
    Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: removing the flexible bag (24) from the composite load (20) and the reservoir (32) after the composite load (20) has been cured; and relieve pressure inside the bladder (30) by loading the reservoir (32) to a vacuum source (64) after the flexible bag (24) has been removed (82).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    JP2014012399A|2014-01-23|
    BR102013014257A2|2015-06-23|
    CN103481433B|2017-03-01|
    US9381704B2|2016-07-05|
    CN103481433A|2014-01-01|
    US20130327477A1|2013-12-12|
    EP2671709A1|2013-12-11|
    ES2564140T3|2016-03-18|
    RU2660136C9|2018-11-29|
    CA2812376C|2015-06-23|
    EP2671709B1|2016-02-03|
    KR20130138099A|2013-12-18|
    RU2660136C2|2018-07-05|
    CA2812376A1|2013-12-08|
    US20160311179A1|2016-10-27|
    US10040256B2|2018-08-07|
    RU2013125720A|2014-12-10|
    JP6170346B2|2017-07-26|
    KR102052923B1|2019-12-11|
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    法律状态:
    2015-06-23| B03A| Publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention [chapter 3.1 patent gazette]|
    2018-03-06| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2018-03-13| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2018-03-20| B06I| Publication of requirement cancelled [chapter 6.9 patent gazette]|Free format text: ANULADA A PUBLICACAO CODIGO 6.6.1 NA RPI NO 2462 DE 13/03/2018 POR TER SIDO INDEVIDA. |
    2020-03-17| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-08-11| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-01| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 07/06/2013, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/491,698|2012-06-08|
    US13/491,698|US9381704B2|2012-06-08|2012-06-08|Non-vented bladder system for curing composite parts|
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