Composite mandrel for autoclave curing applications
First Claim
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1. A composite mandrel, comprising:
- a generally elongated mandrel body comprising;
a resilient mandrel core; and
an elastomeric mandrel outer layer disposed outside the resilient mandrel core, wherein a cross-sectional area and type of foam used for the resilient mandrel core is engineered to impart compression compliance under autoclave pressure to offset a combined thermal expansion behavior of the resilient mandrel core and the elastomeric mandrel outer layer.
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Abstract
A composite mandrel includes a generally elongated mandrel body comprising a resilient mandrel core and an elastomeric mandrel outer layer disposed outside the mandrel core. A method for fabricating a contoured stiffened composite panel is also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A composite mandrel, comprising:
a generally elongated mandrel body comprising; a resilient mandrel core; and an elastomeric mandrel outer layer disposed outside the resilient mandrel core, wherein a cross-sectional area and type of foam used for the resilient mandrel core is engineered to impart compression compliance under autoclave pressure to offset a combined thermal expansion behavior of the resilient mandrel core and the elastomeric mandrel outer layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A composite mandrel for fabricating an aircraft part, comprising:
a generally elongated one-piece mandrel body configured to provide structural support to a cavity of the aircraft part during a curing step in an autoclave and configured to be extracted from the cavity after the curing step, the generally elongated one-piece mandrel body comprising; a resilient mandrel core; and an elastomeric mandrel outer layer disposed outside and in contact with the resilient mandrel core. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A composite mandrel for fabricating an aircraft part, comprising:
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a generally elongated mandrel body configured to provide structural support to a cavity of the aircraft part during a curing step in an autoclave and configured to be extracted from the cavity after the curing step, the generally elongated mandrel body having a generally trapezoidal cross-section and comprising; a resilient foam mandrel core having a core base, a pair of core sides extending from said core base and a generally planar core top extending between said pair of core sides; and an elastic rubber mandrel outer layer disposed outside and in contact with the resilient foam mandrel core and having a mandrel base disposed adjacent to said core base of the resilient foam mandrel core;
a pair of mandrel sides disposed adjacent to said core sides, respectively, of the resilient foam mandrel core; and
a mandrel top surface disposed adjacent to said core top of the resilient foam mandrel core.
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Specification