The Boeing Company

Theboeing Company

Jeffrey D Martin

Neal A Froeschner

Karen M Jost

Philip O Chrissos

Ronald J Byington

Keith Rupel

Jimmy S Piszar

Paul R Heumphreus

William J Harper

Edward H Wooldridge

Martha J Molander

Keith E Rupel

A radio frequency (RF) reflecting apparatus includes a curved reflecting element and resistive material coupled to the curved reflecting element proximate two or more edges of the curved reflecting element. The resistive material has a first portion with a first conductance and a second portion with a second conductance that differs from the first conductance. The RF reflecting apparatus also includes a frame coupled to the curved reflecting element and at least one wheel coupled to the frame. The at least one wheel is configured to enable to translation of the curved reflecting member.

RF reflector

An apparatus and methods for forming a composite part are provided. A method for forming a composite part may include placing initial composite material on a base tool, placing a tooling mandrel on the composite material, placing additional composite material over the tooling mandrel, covering at least a portion of the composite material that overlays the tooling mandrel with a composite forming tool, heating the composite material to at least partially cure the composite material, and permitting a first portion of the composite forming tool to change size during the heating of the composite material to a greater degree than a second portion of the composite forming tool. In this regard, the second portion of the composite forming tool is closer to the base tool than the first portion of the composite forming tool. A composite forming tool is provided that permits differential expansion of different portions of the tool.

Apparatus for forming hat stiffened composite parts using thermally expansive tooling cauls

An apparatus and methods for forming a composite part are provided. A method for forming a composite part may include placing initial composite material on a base tool, placing a tooling mandrel on the composite material, placing additional composite material over the tooling mandrel, covering at least a portion of the composite material that overlays the tooling mandrel with a composite forming tool, heating the composite material to at least partially cure the composite material, and permitting a first portion of the composite forming tool to change size during the heating of the composite material to a greater degree than a second portion of the composite forming tool. In this regard, the second portion of the composite forming tool is closer to the base tool than the first portion of the composite forming tool. A composite forming tool is also provided that permits differential expansion of different portions of the tool.

Apparatus and methods for forming hat stiffened composite parts using thermally expansive tooling cauls

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O'Fallon, MO, United States of America

Jeffrey D Martin