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. 09, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1994
Bernd Raeckers, Bremen, DE;
Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH, Hamburg, DE;
Abstract
Fiber reinforced structural components, such as panels with honeycomb cores sandwiched between at least two outer skin layers are dried to remove moisture that may have entered into the interior of the structure. For this purpose the component is cooled in a cooling environment below the freezing point to about -5.degree. to -20.degree. C. and then exposed to a reduced pressure of less than 0.5 mbar. Under these drying conditions moisture is driven out of the component by sublimation so that the moisture does not pass through the liquid phase. The drying time may be reduced by a temperature increase to 80.degree.-100.degree. C. while maintaining the low pressure. The freezing increases the capillary action for the moisture removal. However, for an increased efficiency in the moisture removal small diameter holes, e.g. 0.1 mm bores, may be drilled into the component to facilitate the moisture escape. After drying is complete the holes are closed again e.g. by laminating further cover sheets to the component. Drying time may be reduced by a temperature increase to 80.degree.-100.degree. C. while maintaining the low pressure.