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. 22, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2000
William J. Bryant, Wichita, KS (US);
William Tod Ross, Cheney, KS (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A reusable vacuum bag apparatus for use in a compaction operation by which composite parts are formed. The apparatus includes a flexible, inflatable support structure which is secured to a reusable flexible mat vacuum bag. When inflated, the support structure maintains the vacuum bag in the orientation it needs to assume when placed on a forming tool associated with a compaction apparatus. The support structure is formed by a plurality of intercoupled linear and curving tubing segments which form a grid-like support structure. The support structure is shaped in accordance with the configuration and contours of the reusable vacuum bag portion, which is in turn shaped in accordance with a forming tool. The support structure can be de-inflated, which allows the vacuum bag secured thereto to be stored in a compact arrangement when not in use. The hollow tubular support structure also provides a very light support framework which is much more easily manipulated and handled by a lay-up mechanic when positioning the apparatus on a forming tool.