Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Chi Hsien Sheu

Denise M Shimazu

Carl Andrew Reis

Robert W Koon

Christopher H Husmann

Brent R Meredith

George V Case

David Michael Kane

According to one embodiment of the invention, a co-cured vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding manufacturing method includes providing a tool base, disposing a prepreg skin panel outwardly from the tool base, disposing one or more tooling details outwardly from the prepreg skin panel, and disposing one or more preforms proximate the one or more tooling details. The one or more preforms are either dry or binderized. The method further includes disposing a high permeability medium between the one or more tooling details and the one or more preforms, enclosing the prepreg skin panel, the one or more tooling details, the one or more preforms, and the high permeability medium with at least one vacuum bag, pulling a vacuum on the vacuum bag, infusing the one or more preforms with a resin, and curing the one or more preforms and the prepreg skin panel.

Co-cured vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding manufacturing method

According to one embodiment of the invention, a co-cured resin transfer molding manufacturing method includes providing a tool having one or more tooling details and disposing one or more preforms proximate the one or more tooling details. The one or more preforms are either dry or binderized. The method further includes disposing a high permeability medium outwardly from the one or more tooling details, disposing a prepreg skin panel outwardly from the high permeability medium, disposing the one or more tooling details and the prepreg skin panel within the tool, injecting a resin into the one or more preforms, and curing the one or more preforms and the prepreg skin panel.

Co-cured resin transfer molding manufacturing method

A pressure regulated structure includes a first layer, a second layer, a non-metallic honeycomb assembly, and a vent. The honeycomb assembly is between the first layer and the second layer and includes a plurality of walls forming cells, at least some of the walls including laser-formed apertures to allow fluid communication between cells. The vent is fluidly coupled to the honeycomb assembly, wherein fluid in the cells of the honeycomb assembly may be removed through the vent to decrease pressure in the structure.

Pressure regulated structure

A method for the manufacture of low cost 'oriented' composite molding compounds using discontinuous fibers embedded in a resin matrix. The method involves the steps of aligning discontinuous fibers by use of a strong electric field while simultaneously inserting the fibers onto a polymer substrate comprised of an uncured resin matrix. A preferred embodiment includes the incorporation of a mesh or a glass capillary array located parallel and adjacent to the polymer substrate to further ensure fiber alignment. After the fibers are attached to the uncured resin matrix, the aligned fibers are forced to lie down parallel along the surface of the polymer substrate by mechanically forcing the fibers flat. The newly formed reinforced polymer films may then be stacked with the fibers of each ply oriented to achieve the desired mechanical properties, and then cured to produce an improved composite laminate which can be machined to form a high strength shaped member.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Chi Hsien Sheu