Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

Other

Stichting Tprc

Kerrick Robert Dando

Rahbar Nasserrafi

Mark Anthony Wadsworth

Gerald E Hicks

Neal Richard Dando

Ulrich Sachs

M Jonell Kerkhoff

Andrea Christine Meyer

Thibault Hernandez

Gerald Eugene Hicks, Jr

Theodore Joseph Eilert

Shawn Douglas Vierthaler

A method of forming a metal matrix composite component includes positioning a preform including an electrically non-conductive fibrous material in a shaping tool. The fibrous material is pre-coated. The method includes flowing a molten metal comprising zinc into the shaping tool so that at least a portion of the preform is enveloped by the molten metal to form the metal matrix composite component; and cooling the metal matrix composite component.

Method to produce low-cost metal matrix composites for industrial, sports, and commercial applications

A method of manufacturing a complex-shaped composite part, including the steps of applying a metallic sheath around a composite laminate workpiece and applying an electric current through the metallic sheath to heat the workpiece. The metallic sheath may be sealed around the composite laminate workpiece, with air or atmosphere evacuated therefrom. The method also includes shaping the workpiece in the metallic sheath into a complex-shaped composite part while it is being heated. The shaping can be performed between two ceramic dies or using other techniques for forming complex shapes and curvatures into the workpiece. The method then may include cooling the complex-shaped composite part and removing the metallic sheath from the complex-shaped composite part. This method minimizes cycle times and reduces breakage of fiber reinforcement of the composite laminate. The method also helps avoid tearing, buckling, or wrinkling of the workpiece during formation via the structural support provided.

Method of forming composites by joule heating of enveloping metallic sheets

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components by positioning and moving a heated plate between the components to melt their respective faying surfaces, and as the plate moves, pressing the components together so that the melted faying surfaces bond together as they cool and re-solidify, thereby creating a composite structure. The plate has a heated portion which is positioned between and heated to melt a portion of the first and second faying surfaces. A manipulator mechanism moves the plate along an interface from between the portion to between a series of subsequent portions of the first and second faying surfaces, thereby welding the thermoplastic components along the entire interface to create the composite structure. An injection device may also move behind the plate and reciprocally inject a polymer between the first and second faying surfaces to provide toughness and crack arresting properties.

System and method for welding thermoplastic components to create composite structure

A method of manufacturing metal matrix composite (MMC) parts, including the steps of applying a metallic sheath around a bundle of MMC laminates, heating the bundle of MMC laminates in the metallic sheath at a curing or fusing temperature to consolidate the bundle of MMC laminates into a single cured or fused part, and then cooling the cured or fused part. The bundle of MMC laminates may be formed by removing surface contamination from the dry reinforcement fibers, creating a plurality of individual MMC laminates by plating dry reinforcement fibers with electroless nickel, and/or electrodeposited nickel or cobalt, and stacking each of the plurality of individual MMC laminates into a bundle. Autocatalytic and/or electroplating may be used as the primary means to incorporate fiber reinforcement into the metal matrix composite by covering and bonding fiber reinforcement into MMC laminates/plies and/or 3-D woven parts.

Method for manufacturing metal matrix composite parts

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

Resistance welding methods and apparatus

A system and method for thermoplastic composite welding comprising a cooling means and a heat source. The cooling means cools a heat-side laminate so as to create a thermal gradient in the heat-side laminate. The heat source heats the heat-side laminate after the cooling step is initiated but before the thermal gradient dissipates so that a first side of the heat-side laminate closer to the heat source does not deform as faying surfaces of the heat-side laminate and another laminate farther away from the heat source are welded together.

System and method for thermoplastic welding using an induced thermal gradient

There is disclosed a manual assist for opening a window, door or other mechanism that slides in a preset track. The manual assist comprises an elongated, preferably contoured handle; a wedge near one end of the handle; and a base pivotally mounted to the handle near the wedge end. Preferably, this manual assist may be hung near a window using a Velcro&#xae; strip pair, aperture or hook when not in use.

Growing community of inventors

Wichita, KS, United States of America

Kerrick Robert Dando