The Boeing Company

Bryan K Bergsma

Matthew K Lum

Mark L Younie

Walter Forrest Frantz

W Forrest Frantz

Denis J Klein

Tom Courrier

John Hennessy

Thomas J Courrier

Joseph P Canavan

Harvey T Jones

Robert G Shaw, Ii

Dennis Klein

Robert G Ii Shaw

Denis Klein

Joe Canavan

Forrest W Frantz

Harvey Jones

There are provided apparatuses and related methods for preforming sheets to form preforms for forming ducts. The preforms can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape of the duct. For example, rollers, rods, tubes, or a funnel can be used to bend the sheet.

Preforming thermoplastic ducts

There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.

Thermoplastic sheet forming apparatus and method

Growing community of inventors

Spokane, WA, United States of America

Bryan K Bergsma