The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 2021
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2016
Applicant:
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Inventor:
Justin H. Register, Charleston, SC (US);
Assignee:
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C 33/48 (2006.01); B32B 37/06 (2006.01); B32B 37/10 (2006.01); B32B 37/14 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C 33/485 (2013.01); B32B 37/06 (2013.01); B32B 37/10 (2013.01); B32B 37/14 (2013.01); B32B 2305/72 (2013.01);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for forming composite parts. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a forming tool. The forming tool includes a body, which includes an exterior that defines a shape for forming a laminate that will be cured into a composite part. The body also includes elements of phase change material that provide rigidity to the body below a threshold temperature, and that exhibit a phase change above the threshold temperature causing the body to become pliable. Further, the body includes flexible material that encloses the elements of phase change material.