Apparatus for fabricating thermoplastic composite parts
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a sleeve located between an inclined die and a composite material that molds the composite material, the sleeve having a first sleeve face and a second sleeve face, wherein the second sleeve face forms an exterior surface of the sleeve and the first sleeve face forms an interior surface of the sleeve, the second sleeve face having features to mold the composite material, the first sleeve face comprising;
a first inclined surface of the first sleeve face, the first inclined surface having an angle greater than about 90 degrees relative to a substantially planar surface of the second sleeve face, the substantially planar surface being opposite a first sleeve surface of the first sleeve face, wherein the first inclined surface contacts the inclined die;
the inclined die having a first die face; and
a shim positioned between the first die face and the first sleeve face; and
a number of substantially rhombus-shaped connectors holding the sleeve in place relative to the inclined die by connecting the inclined sleeve to the inclined die.
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Abstract
A system and method for forming a composite part. The apparatus comprises a sleeve that molds a composite material. The sleeve has a first face and a second face. The second face has features to mold the composite material. The first face comprises a first inclined surface having an angle less than about 90 degrees and greater than about 0 degrees.
82 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a sleeve located between an inclined die and a composite material that molds the composite material, the sleeve having a first sleeve face and a second sleeve face, wherein the second sleeve face forms an exterior surface of the sleeve and the first sleeve face forms an interior surface of the sleeve, the second sleeve face having features to mold the composite material, the first sleeve face comprising; a first inclined surface of the first sleeve face, the first inclined surface having an angle greater than about 90 degrees relative to a substantially planar surface of the second sleeve face, the substantially planar surface being opposite a first sleeve surface of the first sleeve face, wherein the first inclined surface contacts the inclined die; the inclined die having a first die face; and a shim positioned between the first die face and the first sleeve face; and a number of substantially rhombus-shaped connectors holding the sleeve in place relative to the inclined die by connecting the inclined sleeve to the inclined die. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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an inclined die having a first die face; an inclined sleeve located between the inclined die and a composite charge having a first sleeve face in engageable alignment with the inclined die, wherein the first sleeve face forms an interior wall of the inclined sleeve; the first sleeve face comprising; a first inclined surface having an angle greater than about 90 degrees relative to a substantially planar surface of a second sleeve face, wherein the first inclined surface contacts the inclined die; a second inclined surface having an angle greater than about 90 degrees, relative to the substantially planar surface of the second sleeve face wherein the second inclined surface contacts the inclined die; wherein the second sleeve face forms an exterior surface of the inclined sleeve and, wherein the second sleeve face contacts the composite charge; and a shim positioned between the first die face and the first sleeve face of the inclined sleeve; and a number of substantially rhombus-shaped connectors holding the inclined sleeve in place relative to the inclined die by connecting the inclined sleeve to the inclined die. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a sleeve located between a continuous compression molding die and a composite charge, the sleeve having a first sleeve face and a second sleeve face, wherein the first sleeve face forms a cavity and, wherein the first sleeve face forms an interior surface of the sleeve and the second sleeve face forms an exterior surface of the sleeve, the second sleeve face comprising; a surface of the second sleeve face, the surface being opposite the first sleeve face, wherein the second sleeve face contacts the composite charge; the first sleeve face comprising; a first inclined surface of the first sleeve face, the first inclined surface having an angle greater than about 90 degrees relative to the surface of the second sleeve face, wherein the first inclined surface contacts the continuous compression molding die; and a second sleeve surface that is generally planar; the continuous compression molding die having a first face; and a shim positioned between the first face of the continuous compression molding die and the first sleeve face; and a number of substantially rhombus-shaped connectors holding the sleeve in place relative to the inclined die by connecting the sleeve to the inclined die. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification