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:
Jan. 18, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 10, 2008
Peter M. Wegner, Tijeras, NM (US);
Jeffrey M. Ganley, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Brice A. Johnson, Federal Way, WA (US);
Barry P. Van West, Bellevue, WA (US);
Peter M. Wegner, Tijeras, NM (US);
Jeffrey M. Ganley, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Brice A. Johnson, Federal Way, WA (US);
Barry P. Van West, Bellevue, WA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A method for fabricating a grid-stiffened structure from fiber-reinforced composite materials. Ribs are formed on a smooth hard base tool. Expansion blocks are placed in the shallow cavities formed by the ribs and the base tool, and held in place by one of several means while a skin is placed over the ribs, expansion blocks, and base tool. The assembly is then placed in a vacuum bag and autoclave cured. After cooling, the formed structure is separated from the base tool and the expansion blocks are removed from the cavities. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, and is intended to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.