The Boeing Company

Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

Other

William Joseph Bryant

Christopher John Morrow

William Tod Ross

Matthew Ryan Schroeder

Trevor Scott Angell

Kenneth I Fried

An apparatus and method configured for manufacturing an aircraft part from formable material. The apparatus may include one or more rigid forming components onto which the formable material is placed and between which non-flange portions of the formable material may be compressed, and at least one inflatable component that, when expanded by inflation, presses flange portions of the formable material against at least one of the rigid forming components. The inflation component(s) may be arranged in any configuration for forming the formable material into C-shaped channels, single L-shaped channels, or opposing Z-shaped channels. Once pressed between the rigid forming components and/or the inflated inflatable components, the formable material may be heated for forming according to the particular formable material used.

Apparatus and method for stabilizing a formable material while forming

A system for processing a composite material may comprise a chamber, a mandrel, an upper ramp, and an upper diaphragm. The chamber generally provides structural support while a vacuum is applied to the system and may have a six-sided generally rectangular box shape. The mandrel generally provides support for the composite material, and may be located within the chamber. The upper ramp generally provides a path for the upper diaphragm to follow under vacuum, and may be located adjacent to the mandrel and tilted at approximately 45 degrees downward thereto. The upper diaphragm may be placed over an opening along one side of the chamber. During processing, a vacuum may be applied to chamber and the upper diaphragm may be pulled inward through the opening to press the composite material against the mandrel.

System for processing composite materials

An improved chorded zither is disclosed herein which may be characterized in that it comprises a novel adjustably positionable chord bar assembly (which assembly enables the playing of every key in the normal chromatic scale of 12 keys). In a preferred embodiment, the inventive chord bar assembly comprises a slidable chord bar rack operably connected to a plurality of chord bars, with the chord bar rack being interposed between the top surface of a body and a plurality of strings (associated with a stringed musical instrument). The plurality of chord bars is positioned above chord bar rack and perpendicular relative to the plurality of tensioned strings. The chord bar assembly is configured to be adjustably positionable between at least a set up key position, a sharpened key position, and a flatted key position.

Sliding mechanism for chorded zither

A reusable vacuum bag apparatus for use in a compaction operation by which composite parts are formed. The apparatus includes a flexible, inflatable support structure which is secured to a reusable flexible mat vacuum bag. When inflated, the support structure maintains the vacuum bag in the orientation it needs to assume when placed on a forming tool associated with a compaction apparatus. The support structure is formed by a plurality of intercoupled linear and curving tubing segments which form a grid-like support structure. The support structure is shaped in accordance with the configuration and contours of the reusable vacuum bag portion, which is in turn shaped in accordance with a forming tool. The support structure can be de-inflated, which allows the vacuum bag secured thereto to be stored in a compact arrangement when not in use. The hollow tubular support structure also provides a very light support framework which is much more easily manipulated and handled by a lay-up mechanic when positioning the apparatus on a forming tool.

Flexible inflatable support structure for use with a reusable compaction bag

A vacuum bag assembly used in making laminated articles having layers of composite materials and thermosetting resins that are formed and adhesively bonded together. The assembly includes a forming tool on which the composite materials and the thermosetting resins may be positioned. The composite materials have edges well spaced from edges of the forming tool. A vacuum bag is positioned over the composite material and the forming tool. The vacuum bag includes a flexible mat, having an irregular surface contiguous with the composite materials. The flexible mat also has edges well spaced from the edges of the forming tool. The vacuum bag also has a continuous flexible suction channel having an inner arch-like surface and an outer arch-like surface positioned between the edges of the flexible mat and the edges of the forming tool. The suction channel is attached to the flexible mat by a flexible connecting flange. Further, the flexible connecting flange, the outer surface of said suction channel, the edges of the flexible mat and the forming tool define the walls of an airspace positioned in between the flexible mat and the suction channel. The airspace is in pneumatic communication with the irregular surface of the flexible mat.

Growing community of inventors

Wichita, KS, United States of America

William Joseph Bryant