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:
Sep. 30, 2025
Filed:
May. 31, 2022
Spirit Aerosystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US);
Mark Anthony Wadsworth, Wichita, KS (US);
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US);
Abstract
A method for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes placing a thermoplastic substructure on an inner surface of a skin that is laid up on a shaping surface of a tool configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The method further includes applying at least one metal layer over the substructure and applying an insulation layer over edge portions of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure and applying a vacuum bag that at least partly encloses the skin, the substructure, and the metal layer. The method yet still further includes applying heat to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.