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:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
May. 15, 1997
Bradley J Blonigen, Wichita, KS (US);
William T Ross, Cheney, KS (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A method of shaping a layer of settable material such as honeycomb core (24) including placing the core on a flexible support (38); translating the flexible support (38) and core into an oven (28); heating the core to a desired forming temperature in the oven; translating the flexible support (38) and core (24) horizontally from the oven into a forming area (26); lowering a contoured upper die (32) onto the core (24); tensioning the flexible support (38); pressing the core between the tensioned flexible support and the upper die so that the core (24) is forced to conform to the shape of the die (32); cooling the core to set temperature; and raising the die (32) to remove the finished shaped core, is provided. Additionally, a shaping apparatus (22) located in a forming area (26) adjacent an oven (28), for shaping a settable material such as honeycomb core (24) is provided, including: an upper die (32); first and second tensioning assemblies (70), (72) each including a torque supply system; first and second guide assemblies (50), (52) for translating the tensioning assemblies into and out of the oven (28); at least one flexible support (38) wrapped around and between the tensioning assemblies (70), (72) upon which the core may be placed; a regulation system for equalizing tension about the core during pressing; and optional support rollers (166) for focusing the flexible support (38) against the upper die (32) during pressing. A tensioning assembly including a roller (76) and a torque supply system having an air motor (84), is provided. Alternatively, a tensioning assembly including a number of short rollers (92) each powered by a torque supply system having an air motor (108); and a like number of tensioning sub-assemblies (90) each having multiple flexible belts (96) attached thereto, is provided.