The Boeing Company

Edward Heath

Andrew Elmer Modin

Raviendra Sidath Suriyaarachchi

Paul D Shaw

Samuel James Knutson

Within examples, elastomeric apparatuses for use in manufacture of a composite component, and methods for altering a surface rigidity of an elastomeric apparatus for use in manufacture of a composite component are described. In one example, an elastomeric apparatus comprises an elastomer housing, and a plurality of magnets within the elastomer housing at predetermined positions to provide surface rigidity to the elastomer housing based on one or more alignments of certain magnets of the plurality of magnets due to magnetic forces. An increase in temperature causes a loss in one or more of the magnetic forces of one or more of the plurality of magnets resulting in a reduction of stiffness of the elastomer housing at corresponding predetermined positions.

Bladder that changes stiffness based on temperature effects for manufacture of composite components

Within examples, methods and systems for a multi-state bladder or elastomeric apparatus for manufacture of composite material are provided. The elastomeric apparatus includes a housing having a flexible surface state and a rigid surface state, a rod within the housing extending along a length of the housing, and a plurality of components mounted to the rod, such that in an engaged position of the rod the plurality of components cause the housing to have the rigid surface state, and in a disengaged position of the rod the plurality of components enable the housing to have the flexible surface state.

Multi-state bladder for manufacture of composite material

Within examples, methods and systems for a multi-state bladder or elastomeric apparatus for manufacture of composite material are provided. In one example, the elastomeric apparatus comprises an elastomer housing, and magnetic components within the elastomer housing such that application of a magnetic field to the elastomer apparatus changes a rigidity state of the elastomer housing to a secondary state. The secondary state is supportive of a surface compaction applied to the elastomer housing. The elastomeric apparatus may also include rods within the housing extending along the housing, and the magnetic components are mounted to the rods in a rotatable manner. The magnetic components can react to a magnetic field in a way that aligns the magnetic components by rotating on the rods to cause the housing to have a rigid surface state, and to cause the housing to have a flexible surface state in absence of the magnetic field.

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Mount Pleasant, SC, United States of America

Edward Heath