The Boeing Company

The Beoing Company

Robert Arthur Kisch

Peter Vogeli

Kyle Jeffries

Matthew K Lum

Robert A Kramp

Brice Aaron Johnson

Michael Robert Chapman

Paul H Shelley, Jr

Donald A Anderson

Gregory James Werner

Paul Griffin Vahey

Robert Ray Wampler

Kenneth Paul Zaballos

Spencer G Nelson

Russell DeVlieg

Richard Calawa

James Blades Andersen

Dustin Schmidt

Peter D McCowin

Wei-Pai Tang

J Blades Andersen

Peter D Mccowin

A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.

Active cooling system for manufacturing composite structures

A void between two or more composite laminate parts is filled by a composite laminate filler that is laid up and integral with at least one of the parts.

Pre-filled radius layups

Apparatuses for creating layered tape composite structures include a frame, a source of first tape, and a first tape placement module configured to receive first tape and place the first tape on a layup surface as the frame translates along the layup surface. Some apparatuses further include a source of second tape, and a second tape placement module configured to receive second tape and place the second tape on the first tape as the frame moves along the layup surface. Methods for creating layered tape composite structures include supplying a first tape, and placing the first tape on a layup surface. Some methods further include supplying a second tape, and placing the second tape on the first tape on the layup surface.

Apparatuses and methods for creating layered tape composite structures

A multispectral imaging system and method and a system for composite layup are provided in order to detect foreign object debris during the fabrication of a composite structure. In the context of a method, a surface of a composite material is illuminated with near infrared light. The method also detects the near infrared light following interaction of the near infrared light with the composite material. Following detection, the method analyzes a spectrum of the near infrared light to detect foreign object debris upon the composite material. The method analyzes the spectrum of near infrared light by distinguishing between different types of foreign object debris as a result of comparing the spectrum of near infrared light to predefined spectral signatures of a plurality of different types of foreign object debris. The method may also determine the size and location of the foreign object debris.

Multispectral imaging system and method for detecting foreign object debris

A method is provided to compensate for misplacement of tows by a fiber placement machine automatically controlled by programmed instructions. The method includes laying down a test layup of fiber tows using the machine; scanning the test layup to determine the position of the test layup relative to reference standards; determining misplacements in the position of the test layup; and, modifying the programmed instructions to compensate for the misplacements.

Automated fiber placement compensation

A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius.

Methods for composite tape lamination over various angles between fibers and lines tangent to convex radii

Apparatus for producing a composite filler includes at least one die and a device for moving a stack of reinforced ply strips through the die. The die has peripheral die face adapted for forming the ply strip stack into a desired cross sectional shape. The cross section of the die face may vary around the periphery of the die.

Apparatus for producing composite fillers

Method of composite tape lamination over convex radii

Method and apparatus for producing composite fillers

An apparatus and associated method for removing backing film from tape during a fiber placement process. A passive (non-powered) take-up roller is used to wind up the backing film that has been separated from the tape.

Backing film removal for fiber placement machine

An automatic composite tape placement head includes a roller for compacting tape on a substrate, and a cutter adjacent the roller for cutting the tape at the roller.

Method and apparatus for placing short courses of composite tape

A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, WA, United States of America

Robert Arthur Kisch