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:
Feb. 13, 2024
Filed:
Nov. 10, 2021
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Daniel R. Smith, Mill Creek, WA (US);
Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US);
Byron James Autry, Charleston, SC (US);
James R. Kendall, Mount Pleasant, SC (US);
Raviendra Sidath Suriyaarachchi, Kirkland, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus involved in the process of hardening a composite part are disclosed herein. The methods include applying a preform to a mandrel, covering the preform with a caul plate, sealing the caul plate to the mandrel, pushing the caul plate toward the preform and the mandrel and hardening the preform into a composite part while the caul plate is held against the preform. The apparatus include a mandrel, a caul plate which defines a surface of a preform and where the caul plate may include a rigid material and seals disposed between the mandrel and the caul plate. In an additional aspect, the apparatus may include a sealed chamber with a mandrel and a caul plate and a circumferential seal between the mandrel and the caul plate.