Composite stringer assembly machine
First Claim
1. A machine for use in forming an I-shaped composite stringer from two C-shaped channel charges, said machine comprising:
- (a) frame;
(b) a first elongate platform mounted on said frame from supporting a pair of mandrels about which C-shaped charges have been draped, said mandrels being positioned such that said C-shaped charges lie back with respect to one another; and
(c) a positioning a compacting mechanism mounted on said frame for positioning and compacting said C-shaped channel charges; and
(d) a second elongated platform positioned adjacent said first elongate platform and a rotation mechanism for moving a pair of mandrels and C-shaped charges supported by said elongate platform from said elongate platform to said second elongate platform and in the process rotates said mandrels and said C-shaped charges through 180 degrees.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine (34) for use in assembling a stringer (32) from two C-shaped charges (22), each channel charge being draped about a mandrel (20), is disclosed. The machine includes a framework (36) having a first platform (40) for supporting the mandrels and C-shaped charges such that the C-shaped charges are back to back. A U-shaped anvil (48), connected to the framework, is rotatable between an engaged position overlying the mandrels and the C-shaped charges, and a disengaged position away from the mandrels and C-shaped charges. The anvil (48) includes a side bladder (58) for compacting the C-shaped charges against one another by pressing the mandrels and C-shaped charges together and against a wall of the anvil opposite to the side bladder, and a top bladder (62) for aligning the mandrels and C-shaped charges by compressing the mandrels and C-shaped charges against the platform. The machine further includes a rotation mechanism for moving the mandrels and C-shaped charges from the first platform to a second platform and rotating the mandrels and C-shaped charges through 180 degrees as they are moved to invert the mandrels and the C-shaped charges draped over the mandrels. Also included with the machine are alignment devices (42) for aligning the ends of the mandrels and the C-shaped charges with one another.
133 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A machine for use in forming an I-shaped composite stringer from two C-shaped channel charges, said machine comprising:
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(a) frame; (b) a first elongate platform mounted on said frame from supporting a pair of mandrels about which C-shaped charges have been draped, said mandrels being positioned such that said C-shaped charges lie back with respect to one another; and (c) a positioning a compacting mechanism mounted on said frame for positioning and compacting said C-shaped channel charges; and (d) a second elongated platform positioned adjacent said first elongate platform and a rotation mechanism for moving a pair of mandrels and C-shaped charges supported by said elongate platform from said elongate platform to said second elongate platform and in the process rotates said mandrels and said C-shaped charges through 180 degrees. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification