The Boeing Company

Tara Kovacs Baker

William L Serencsits

Kay Youngdahl Blohowiak

Mark Richard Brei

Anthony M Westren

Holly J Thomas

Richard Charles Barclay

Ashley C Tracey

Tyler Jacob Zimmerman

Yuliya Shafranyuk

Disclosed herein is a tool for forming a composite part. The tool comprises a first layer, a second layer, spaced apart from the first layer, and a low-density core interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The low-density core has a density less than the first layer and the second layer and comprises a plurality of empty cells at least partially defined by the first layer and the second layer. The tool also comprises a heating source and one of: each one of the plurality of empty cells extends across a width or length of the first layer and the second layer; or adjacent ones of the plurality of empty cells are fluidically interconnected by a fluid port formed in the low-density core.

Tools for forming a composite part and associated methods

A tooling assembly for manufacturing a porous composite structure. The tooling assembly includes a first tooling member and a second tooling member. The first tooling member includes a first body that defines a first internal volume and a first inlet. The first inlet is fluidly coupled with the first internal volume. The first tooling member also includes a first tooling surface that defines a plurality of first perforations that are fluidly coupled with the first internal volume. The second tooling member includes a second body that defines a second internal volume and a second inlet. The second inlet is fluidly coupled with the second internal volume. The second tooling member also includes a second tooling surface that defines a plurality of second perforations that are fluidly coupled with the second internal volume.

Tooling assembly and associated system and method for manufacturing a porous composite structure

Provided are molds, comprising non-metal base portions and protective optical layers that cover and shield these base portions from laser ablation. For example, a protective optical layer may reflect a laser beam used for ablating the mold. Methods of forming these protective optical layers on non-metal base portions are also provided. In some embodiments, this protective optical layer is the outermost layer exposed to the environment. Alternatively, the protective optical layer may be covered by a release layer. The release layer may be retained or removed during laser ablation. In some embodiments, light emitted by a mold during laser ablation is analyzed to determine performance of its protective optical layer. This feedback may be used to control the laser ablation such as to control orientation of the laser beam relative to the mold.

Processing tool cleaning using laser ablation

Provided are methods for cleaning processing tools from residue using laser ablation. Also provided are processing tools comprising non-metal base portions and protective optical layers that cover and shield these base portions from laser ablation. For example, a protective optical layer may reflect a laser beam used for ablating the tool. Methods of forming these protective optical layers on non-metal base portions are also provided. In some embodiments, this protective optical layer is the outermost layer exposed to the environment. Alternatively, the protective optical layer may be covered by a release layer. The release layer may be retained or removed during laser ablation. In some embodiments, light emitted by a processing tool during laser ablation is analyzed to determine performance of its protective optical layer. This feedback may be used to control the laser ablation such as to control orientation of the laser beam relative to the processing tool.

Growing community of inventors

Charleston, SC, United States of America

Tara Kovacs Baker