Smart susceptor induction heating apparatus and methods for forming parts with non-planar shapes

    公开(公告)号:US11440224B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-13

    申请号:US16201553

    申请日:2018-11-27

    Abstract: Heating apparatus and methods for forming a part with a non-planar shape include a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface. A tool, also formed of a thermally conductive material, has a base surface configured to engage the table surface of the table and a tooling surface opposite the base surface, wherein the tooling surface has a contoured shape that is non-planar. A heating blanket is provided above the table and defines a heating surface. The tooling surface of the tool is configured to engage a first surface of the part and the heating surface of the heating blanket is configured to engage a second surface of the part opposite the first surface of the part. The table and the heating blanket are heated to a processing temperature so that the part at least partially conforms to the tooling surface of the tool.

    Systems for manufacturing modular rotor blades

    公开(公告)号:US11186045B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-11-30

    申请号:US16948286

    申请日:2020-09-11

    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a rotor blade comprises a first tooling, positioned at a factory location and configured to assemble a first blade module, comprising a first-module skin and a first-module spar, each comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a first reinforcement material. The system also comprises a second tooling, configured to assemble a second blade module, comprising a second-module skin and a second-module spar, each comprising a second thermoplastic polymer and a second reinforcement material. The system further comprises a first support, positioned at a field location and configured to receive the first blade module, and a second support, positioned at the field location and configured to receive the second blade module. The system also comprises a spar welding assembly, positioned at the field location and configured to join the first-module spar with the second-module spar.

    Thermoplastic welding apparatus and related methods

    公开(公告)号:US11077625B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-03

    申请号:US15411589

    申请日:2017-01-20

    Abstract: Thermoplastic welding apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example method includes providing a smart susceptor between composite parts that are to be joined via thermoplastic welding. The example method includes positioning the composite parts and the smart susceptor on a tooling surface within a cavity of a tooling apparatus and applying a seal to the composite parts and the tooling surface to form a vacuum chamber between the composite parts and the tooling surface at a welding joint of the composite parts; producing a magnetic field at the welding joint. The example method includes providing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber during a welding operation.

    Assembly and Method to Repair Thermoplastic Composites

    公开(公告)号:US20210129464A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-05-06

    申请号:US16675788

    申请日:2019-11-06

    Abstract: An assembly to repair a thermoplastic composite. The assembly includes a heating device positioned on opposing sides of the thermoplastic composite. The heating device includes one or more susceptor with a Curie temperature to heat the thermoplastic composite. A pressure device applies a compressive force to the heating device. A pressure distribution device is positioned between the heating device and the thermoplastic composite. The pressure distribution device distributes the compressive force from the pressure device over areas of the opposing sides of thermoplastic composite.

    INDUCTION HEATING CELLS WITH CAULS OVER MANDRELS METHODS OF USING THEREOF

    公开(公告)号:US20200238578A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-07-30

    申请号:US16843596

    申请日:2020-04-08

    Abstract: Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.

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