Mandrel forming for discrete wing skin stiffeners
First Claim
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1. A method for forming panel stiffeners, comprising:
- inserting one or more flexible mandrels into each of one or more channels of a tool having a three-dimensional contour, the one or more flexible mandrels being composed of silicone rubber;
hardening the flexible mandrels while inserted in the one or more channels of the tool; and
forming stiffeners using the hardened one or more mandrels.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a stiffener may be formed by inserting a plurality of flexible mandrels into a channel of a tool having a three-dimensional contour, placing a vacuum bag over the flexible mandrels and the tool, with the mandrels disposed between the vacuum bag and the tool, and applying vacuum pressure between the vacuum bag and the tool. A hardening substance may be inserted into each of the plurality of flexible mandrels and then may be hardened while the plurality of mandrels are inserted in the one or more channels of the tool. Finally, the mandrels may be wrapped with a stiffener material with stiffeners being formed from the stiffener material.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for forming panel stiffeners, comprising:
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inserting one or more flexible mandrels into each of one or more channels of a tool having a three-dimensional contour, the one or more flexible mandrels being composed of silicone rubber; hardening the flexible mandrels while inserted in the one or more channels of the tool; and forming stiffeners using the hardened one or more mandrels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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4. A method for forming panel stiffeners, comprising:
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inserting one or more flexible mandrels into each of one or more channels of a tool having a three-dimensional contour, wherein the tool is composed of foam; hardening the flexible mandrels while inserted in the one or more channels of the tool; and forming stiffeners using the hardened one or more mandrels. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification