Computer controlled flow manipulation for vacuum infusion processes
First Claim
1. A method for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold, the mold comprising a tool surface, a plurality of resin injection ports, at least one vent, and a flexible film covering the preform and sealed to the tool surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) injecting resin through the plurality of resin injection ports;
(b) detecting a plurality of resin flow fronts emanating from the resin injection ports;
(c) predicting an effect of sealing a vacuum induced preform relaxation (VIPR) chamber over the flexible film based on the detected plurality of resin flow fronts, the predicting comprising simulating a future resin flow front based on a potential location for the VIPR chamber, and selecting a location for deploying the VIPR chamber based on the predicted effect; and
(d) deploying the VIPR chamber in a sealed relationship with the flexible film in the selected location and introducing vacuum into the VIPR chamber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold. The methods comprise increasing permeability in a selected region, such as by deploying a VIPR chamber in a location corresponding to the resin injection port corresponding to the resin flow front furthest from the mold vent or a location identified by predictive modeling as best to achieve a desired flow front geometry. Suitable apparatus comprise a VIPR chamber, an image detector for detecting resin flow fronts, a processor programmed to identify a desired location to deploy the VIPR chamber, and an automatic positioner for moving the VIPR chamber to the identified location.
46 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold, the mold comprising a tool surface, a plurality of resin injection ports, at least one vent, and a flexible film covering the preform and sealed to the tool surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) injecting resin through the plurality of resin injection ports; (b) detecting a plurality of resin flow fronts emanating from the resin injection ports; (c) predicting an effect of sealing a vacuum induced preform relaxation (VIPR) chamber over the flexible film based on the detected plurality of resin flow fronts, the predicting comprising simulating a future resin flow front based on a potential location for the VIPR chamber, and selecting a location for deploying the VIPR chamber based on the predicted effect; and (d) deploying the VIPR chamber in a sealed relationship with the flexible film in the selected location and introducing vacuum into the VIPR chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
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6. A method of vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold, the mold comprising a tool surface, a plurality of resin injection ports, at least one vent, and a flexible film covering the preform and sealed to the tool surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) injecting resin through the plurality of resin injection ports; (b) detecting a plurality of resin flow fronts emanating from the resin injection ports; (c) using a processor programmed with a predictive model to predict an effect of sealing a vacuum induced preform relaxation (VIPR) chamber over the flexible film in each of a plurality of locations based on the detected plurality of resin flow fronts, the predicting comprising simulating a future resin flow front based on a potential location for the VIPR chamber, and selecting a location for deploying the VIPR chamber from the plurality of locations based on the predicted effect; and (d) deploying the VIPR chamber in the selected location and introducing a vacuum into the VIPR chamber. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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11. A method for vacuum infusing resin into a preform within a mold, the mold comprising a tool surface, a plurality of resin injection ports, at least one vent, and a flexible film covering the preform and sealed to the tool surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) injecting resin through the plurality of resin injection ports; (b) detecting a plurality of resin flow fronts emanating from the resin injection ports; (c) using a processor programmed with a predictive model to predict an effect of increasing permeability in each of a plurality of locations based on the detected plurality of resin flow fronts, the predicting comprising simulating a future resin flow front based on a potential location for increasing resin permeability, and selecting a region based on the predicted effect; (d) locally increasing resin permeability in the identified region. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification