摘要:
A composite part layup is cured using a set of tools adapted to hold the layup and which include at least one tool face contacting the layup. Means are provided for heating the tool face to cure the part layup, and for selectively cooling sections of the tool face.
摘要:
There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.
摘要:
Methods and systems for structural and component health monitoring are provided. A system includes a plurality of sensor systems positioned about an object to be monitored and a processing system communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of sensor systems wherein the processing system includes an ontology and reasoning module configured to model the object to be monitored, reason about the received sensor data associated with the object to be monitored and reason about the relationships between the received sensor data to fuse the data into contextual information for the overall object to be monitored and a contextual analyzer configured to transmit the received sensor data to said ontology and reasoning module and to store the information into a contextual information database.
摘要:
A susceptor connection system and an associated apparatus and method are provided. The susceptor connection system includes at least one shoe that can be urged against a peripheral edge portion of the susceptors by a compression device. In this regard, each shoe can urge the edge portions of the susceptors together to achieve electrical contact therebetween, e.g., so that an induced current can flow between the susceptors to heat the susceptors and a workpiece. In addition, each shoe can define a passage for circulating a coolant to cool the edge portions and thereby reduce the oxidation and contact resistance between the susceptors.
摘要:
An apparatus and a method for forming a localized joint in at least one structural member are provided. The apparatus includes a tool that corresponds to a joint portion of the structural member. An induction coil is disposed in the tool, and a power source is configured to energize the induction coil. A susceptor disposed between the tool and the structural member has a Curie temperature at which the susceptor becomes paramagnetic such that an electromagnetic field induced in the susceptor by the induction coil heats the susceptor to the Curie temperature for forming the joint.
摘要:
There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.
摘要:
An induction heating device for manufacturing a part by heating the part to a predetermined temperature. The induction heating device includes an induction coil connected to an electrical power supply for generating an electromagnetic flux field. A smart susceptor of the heating device is positioned in the electromagnetic flux field and includes a magnetically permeable material supported by a mesh structure. The magnetically permeable material generates heat in response to the flux field. The mesh structure provides support for the magnetically permeable material and closely conforms to the desired outer geometry of the part. The magnetically permeable material may be applied as a powder to the mesh using a hot spray gun, allowing tight conformance of the susceptor to the part geometry while avoiding forming limits of sheet metal susceptors.
摘要:
An induction heating system for fabricating a part by heating and forming the part. The induction heating system comprises a smart susceptor that includes a susceptor material that responds to an electromagnetic flux by generating heat and a cavity defined by the susceptor material that is configured to hold the part. An induction coil of the induction heating system is supplied with electrical power so as to generate the electromagnetic flux necessary for the susceptor to generate heat. A temperature controller includes a power supply that supplies electrical power to the induction coil. A controlling element of the temperature controller monitors trends in the electrical power supplied and changes the amount of electrical power being supplied so as to control the temperature of the part during fabrication.
摘要:
Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing; two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.
摘要:
Rib and spar webs are joined in a composite wingbox to eliminate fasteners by welding the webs along bond lines defined by overlapping sections of the webs. Heat to produce the weld is generally achieved resistively by connecting a multistrip susceptor positioned along the bond line to a current source, since the geometry makes it difficult to heat these web joints inductively. The wingbox is completed without fasteners by welding skins to the rib-spar wingbox.