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:
Apr. 14, 2025
Filed:
Jul. 22, 2021
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Andrew E. Modin, Charleston, SC (US);
Dorekia Martin, Ladson, SC (US);
Richard E. Heath, Mt. Pleasant, SC (US);
Eric C. Anderson, St. Charles, MO (US);
Caleb J. Handolescu, Ladson, SC (US);
Richard Alexander Prause, Charleston, SC (US);
Michael C. Hargrove, Goose Creek, SC (US);
Justin H. Register, Charleston, SC (US);
The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US);
Abstract
A method of forming a composite part from a mufti-ply prepreg composite charge comprises reducing pressure inside a bladder, located in a chamber that is at atmospheric pressure, below the atmospheric pressure. The method also comprises placing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having a first shape, in the chamber and reducing pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure. The method additionally comprises, while maintaining pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure, expanding the bladder within the chamber by increasing pressure inside the bladder to the atmospheric pressure, so that the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is compressed between the bladder and a forming tool, which is located inside the chamber, and the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is configured by the forming tool to a second shape, different from the first shape. The method also comprises curing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having the second shape.