Mapping tow splices in composite structures
First Claim
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1. A method of mapping a location of splices in a plurality of tows used to layup a laminated composite structure, comprising:
- placing tows on a tool by using an automatic fiber placement machine comprising a compaction roller, such that placing tows comprises simultaneously placing the plurality of the tows on the tool as a band;
sensing, using a sensing device, a location of each splice as the plurality of tows are being simultaneously placed as the band during the layup;
generating, using a software program in a computer, a data file from a geometric database of the composite structure;
using the computer with a program code for;
receiving the data file from the geometric database, determining the location of the splices within the composite structure, the location being a three dimensional (3-D) location, receiving an inspection parameter, and generating a pass/fail status for the plurality of tows based upon the inspection parameter; and
,using the data file to generate a 3-D display showing the 3-D location of the splices in the composite structure.
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Abstract
The three dimensional (3-D) locations of splices in pre-preg tows placed by an automatic fiber placement machine to form a laminated composite structure are mapped to allow visualization of alignment patterns in the splices.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of mapping a location of splices in a plurality of tows used to layup a laminated composite structure, comprising:
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placing tows on a tool by using an automatic fiber placement machine comprising a compaction roller, such that placing tows comprises simultaneously placing the plurality of the tows on the tool as a band; sensing, using a sensing device, a location of each splice as the plurality of tows are being simultaneously placed as the band during the layup; generating, using a software program in a computer, a data file from a geometric database of the composite structure; using the computer with a program code for;
receiving the data file from the geometric database, determining the location of the splices within the composite structure, the location being a three dimensional (3-D) location, receiving an inspection parameter, and generating a pass/fail status for the plurality of tows based upon the inspection parameter; and
,using the data file to generate a 3-D display showing the 3-D location of the splices in the composite structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of laying up a composite structure, comprising:
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placing tows on a tool using an automatic placement machine comprising a compaction roller, said placing comprising simultaneously placing a plurality of the tows on the tool as a band; generating, using a software program in a computer, a data file from a geometric database of the composite structure; sensing, using a sensing device, splices in each of the tows as the tows of the band are placed on the tool; recording, using the computer, a location of each splice as the splice is sensed; using the computer with a program code for;
receiving the data file from the geometric database, determining a location of the splices within the composite structure, receiving an inspection parameter, and generating a pass/fail status for the plurality of tows based upon the inspection parameter; andgenerating, for a user interface, an image of the structure showing the locations of the splices in the composite structure based on the recorded locations of the splices. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of laying up a composite aircraft structure, comprising:
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simultaneously placing bands of composite pre-preg tows on a tool using an automatic placement machine, comprising a compaction roller; using a computer coupled with a sensor for sensing features on each of the tows in the band indicating a presence of a splice on the tow immediately after the tow has been placed on the tool by the placement machine; using the computer for recording the location of each detected feature within each ply of a lay-up; using the computer for retrieving geometric information from a geometric database of the composite structure; using a recorded locations of each splice and the geometric information to generate a data file representing a 3-D location of splices within the composite structure; and using the data file to generate a 3-D image of the structure showing a location of the splices within the structure.
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Specification