The Boeing Company

Patrick J Shephard

Daniel M Rotter

Brad Andrew Coxon

John Dempsey Morris

Stephen Lee Metschan

Khanh Mai Pham

Gabriel Zane Forston

Jake Adam Reeves

Brian Dodgson

Steven Philip Hansen

Nicholas W Deyo

Darren L Syverson

Aleksandr A Khomyak

Martin P Fritzgerald

Erik M Brazil

Harrison B Lockhart, Iii

Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.

Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures

An example system for processing composite material includes a cure tool, a source of pressurized gas, and a vacuum bag forming an enclosed volume between the cure tool and the vacuum bag. The system further includes composite material positioned on the cure tool within the enclosed volume. The source of pressurized gas is configured to inflate the vacuum bag, thereby moving a portion of the vacuum bag away from the cure tool and the composite material. An example method includes placing composite material onto a cure tool, placing a vacuum bag over the composite material and the cure tool to form an enclosed volume between the cure tool and the vacuum bag, processing the composite material while the composite material is within the enclosed volume, and inflating the vacuum bag to move a portion of the vacuum bag away from the cure tool and the composite material.

System and method for processing composite material

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Patrick J Shephard