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. 05, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2005
Donald A. Anderson, Bellevue, WA (US);
Ronald W. Brown, Des Moines, WA (US);
Brad L. Kirkwood, Kent, WA (US);
Marc R. Matsen, Seattle, WA (US);
Douglas A. Mccarville, Auburn, WA (US);
Stephen G. Moore, Seattle, WA (US);
Donald A. Anderson, Bellevue, WA (US);
Ronald W. Brown, Des Moines, WA (US);
Brad L. Kirkwood, Kent, WA (US);
Marc R. Matsen, Seattle, WA (US);
Douglas A. McCarville, Auburn, WA (US);
Stephen G. Moore, Seattle, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.