United Technologies Corporation

Thomas P Donovan, Sr

Robert A Lacko

Joseph A Valerio

Structural parts are produced from fiber composite preforms which are placed into a mold conforming to the shape of the desired part. A resin is then injected into the mold so as to fill the mold and encapsulate the fiber preform. The mold is evacuated prior to the injection step, and is rotated about a vertical axis during the injection step. The resin is maintained under pressure during the injection step, and the resin is hardened in the mold whereby net molded parts are formed.

Centrifugal resin transfer molding

A resin injection port has a tapered outer cylindrical surface, an inner resin passage which is also tapered, and one or more grooves in the outward end thereof to provide a keyway for locking the plastic in the end after cure. The port also has a flange, with a recess matable with a head of a retaining bolt through rotation such that the port is twisted into position for injection. This simultaneously compresses an O-ring which provides a tight seal between the port and the mold. The flange has cut-away portions which align with the bolt head prior to twisting into position. Additionally, the mold has at least one pin which engages a corresponding inner cam surface on the port. The inner cam surface travels over the pins as the flange is twisted to force the port to break the plastic, release and move away from the mold with a 1/4 turn. Utilizing such an injection port provides a means for quickly releasing an injection port from a mold without requiring slide hammers or other such devices.

Quick ports for molding

A preform assembly for use with a resin transfer molding apparatus. The preform assembly includes a dry fabric preform and a thin precured fiber-reinforced resin impregnated laminate, the preform being folded about and firmly fastened to said laminate to form a preform assembly having a stiffened and stabilized preform edge, wherein the edge aids in the insertion of the preform assembly into a mold cavity or channel of a resin transfer mold apparatus. Methods for making such preform assembly and composite article are also disclosed.

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West Haven, CT, United States of America

Thomas P Donovan, Sr