Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.

Terrell R Holsinger

An apparatus ( ) for fabricating composite structures is provided that includes first and second tooling portions ( ) that are configured to support at least one layer ( ) of composite materials during curing to form a composite structure. The apparatus ( ) further includes a flexible hinge ( ) that is disposed between and couples the first and second tooling portions ( ). The flexible hinge ( ) couples the tooling portions ( ) such that they may be peeled away from the composite material after curing by bending the apparatus ( ) at the flexible hinge ( ).

Apparatus for fabricating composite structures

A method for fabricating composite structures is provided that includes providing a skin (,) that has at least one layer (,) of uncured composite material, and providing a flexible hinge tool (,) that has first and second tooling portions (,) coupled with a flexible hinge (,). The first and second tooling portions (,) of the hinge tool (,) each have a molding surface (,), and the tooling portions (,) are configured to form at least a portion of a stiffening member (,). The method further includes laying up at least one layer (,) of uncured composite material on the molding surfaces (,) to form the stiffening member (,). The flexible hinge tool (,) is positioned on the skin (,) such that the uncured composite material laid up on the first tooling portion (,) of the hinge tool (,) contacts the skin (,), and such that the uncured composite material on the second tooling portion (,) extends from the skin (,) to form an upstanding segment (,) of the stiffening member (,). The skin (,) and the uncured composite material on the flexible hinge tool (,) are simultaneously cured to form a stiffened composite structure. The flexible hinge tool (,) is removed by bending the tool (,) at the flexible hinge (,) such that the first portion (,) of the tool (,) peels away from the skin (,), and such that the second portion (,) of the tool (,) peels away from the upstanding segment (,) of the stiffening member (,).

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Hurst, TX, United States of America

Terrell R Holsinger