Forming presses and methods for forming joggled, stiffened composite structures
First Claim
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1. A forming press for forming a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge, the forming press comprising:
- a joggled die with a die face that has a die face longitudinal ridge and a die face joggle that crosses the die face longitudinal ridge;
a conforming die with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers and a die support that operatively supports the die fingers, wherein each die finger includes a pair of laterally-spaced die members that is configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, each die member configured to tilt longitudinally, and each die member biased toward the joggled die; and
a support frame that supports the joggled die and the conforming die;
wherein the forming press is configured to accept a multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die, and to form a composite structure by pressing the multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for forming a joggle and a longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge are disclosed. Charges may be formed in a forming press that comprises a joggled die, with a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge, and a conforming die, with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers. The die fingers include pairs of die members configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, with each die member configured to tilt longitudinally.
9 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A forming press for forming a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge, the forming press comprising:
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a joggled die with a die face that has a die face longitudinal ridge and a die face joggle that crosses the die face longitudinal ridge; a conforming die with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers and a die support that operatively supports the die fingers, wherein each die finger includes a pair of laterally-spaced die members that is configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, each die member configured to tilt longitudinally, and each die member biased toward the joggled die; and a support frame that supports the joggled die and the conforming die; wherein the forming press is configured to accept a multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die, and to form a composite structure by pressing the multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A forming press for concurrently forming a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge, the forming press comprising:
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a joggled die with a die face that has a die face longitudinal ridge and a die face joggle that crosses the die face longitudinal ridge; a conforming die with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers and a die support that operatively supports the die fingers, wherein each die finger includes a pair of laterally-spaced die members that is configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, each die member configured to tilt longitudinally, and each die member biased toward the joggled die, and wherein, for each die finger, the die members of the pair of die members are biased toward each other and the die members are further away from each other in the open position than in the closed position; and a support frame that supports the joggled die and the conforming die; wherein the forming press is configured to accept a multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die, and to form a composite structure by pressing the multi-ply composite charge between the joggled die and the conforming die; wherein the forming press is configured to apply tension to the multi-ply composite charge in proximity of the die face joggle and in proximity of the die face longitudinal ridge. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A conforming die member assembly, comprising:
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a die member with a die face and a joggled die guide tapering from the die face, wherein the die face is configured to hold a multi-ply composite charge with vacuum force; a die base elastically coupled to the die member, opposite the die face, with a spring that biases the die member and the die base away from one another; and an alignment mechanism that extends along a transverse axis between the die member and the die base and that is coupled to the die member and the die base; wherein the die member is configured to tilt, relative to the die base, around a lateral axis, perpendicular to the transverse axis, and to translate, relative to the die base, along an axis parallel to the transverse axis, and wherein the die member is configured to tilt, relative to the die base, at an angle having an absolute value of less than 5°
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Specification