Forming apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A method for forming a composite workpiece, the method comprising:
- engaging first and second co-operable dies to form a die cavity;
providing the workpiece at least partially in the die cavity;
positioning at least one elastomeric bladder in the die cavity proximate to the workpiece;
pressurizing an inflatable cavity seal disposed at an interface of the dies to thereby hermetically seal the die cavity;
inducing a current within at least a portion of at least one susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece to a forming temperature;
injecting a pressurized fluid into the bladder and thereby expanding the bladder to form the workpiece to a predetermined configuration; and
circulating a coolant fluid through the die cavity and thereby cooling the workpiece subsequent to said injecting step.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.
46 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for forming a composite workpiece, the method comprising:
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engaging first and second co-operable dies to form a die cavity;
providing the workpiece at least partially in the die cavity;
positioning at least one elastomeric bladder in the die cavity proximate to the workpiece;
pressurizing an inflatable cavity seal disposed at an interface of the dies to thereby hermetically seal the die cavity;
inducing a current within at least a portion of at least one susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece to a forming temperature;
injecting a pressurized fluid into the bladder and thereby expanding the bladder to form the workpiece to a predetermined configuration; and
circulating a coolant fluid through the die cavity and thereby cooling the workpiece subsequent to said injecting step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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10. A method according to claim further comprising inflating a susceptor engagement seal disposed at an interface of first and second portions of the at least one susceptor and thereby electrically engaging the first and second portions.
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16. A method for forming a composite workpiece, the method comprising:
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providing the workpiece at least partially in a die cavity;
positioning at least one elastomeric bladder in the die cavity proximate to the workpiece;
inducing a current within at least a portion of at least one susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece to a forming temperature;
injecting a pressurized fluid into the bladder and thereby expanding the bladder to form the workpiece to a predetermined configuration against a surface of the die cavity; and
circulating a coolant fluid through the die cavity and thereby cooling the workpiece subsequent to said injecting step. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for forming a composite workpiece the method comprising:
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providing the workpiece at least partially in a die cavity and disposing a foil around the workpiece;
positioning at least one elastomeric bladder in the die cavity proximate to the workpiece;
inducing a current within at least a portion of at least one susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece to a forming temperature;
injecting a pressurized fluid into the bladder and thereby expanding the bladder to form the workpiece to a predetermined configuration; and
circulating a coolant fluid through the die cavity and thereby cooling the workpiece subsequent to said injecting step. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification