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.:

US 8012286 B1

Date of Patent:

Sep. 06, 2011

Filed:

Nov. 19, 2009

Apparatus and method for making a tubular composite barrel

Applicants:

Steve Stubner, Bonita, CA (US);

Joseph Irrgang, San Diego, CA (US);

Steve Holt, Chula Vista, CA (US);

Alan Douglas, Chula Vista, CA (US);

Inventors:

Steve Stubner, Bonita, CA (US);

Joseph Irrgang, San Diego, CA (US);

Steve Holt, Chula Vista, CA (US);

Alan Douglas, Chula Vista, CA (US);

Assignee:

Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US);

Attorney:

Womble Carlyle

Primary Examiner:

Philip Tucker

Assistant Examiner:

Brian R Slawski

Int. Cl.

CPC ...

B29D 22/00 (2006.01); B29C 53/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 45/40 (2006.01); B65C 3/16 (2006.01); B32B 27/00 (2006.01); B28B 3/00 (2006.01); B28B 1/00 (2006.01); B28B 5/00 (2006.01); B28B 7/00 (2006.01); B28B 7/10 (2006.01); B28B 13/00 (2006.01); B28B 21/00 (2006.01); B28B 7/28 (2006.01); A01J 21/00 (2006.01); A01J 25/12 (2006.01); A21C 3/00 (2006.01); A21C 11/00 (2006.01); A23G 1/20 (2006.01); A23G 3/00 (2006.01); A23P 1/00 (2006.01); B41B 11/54 (2006.01);

U.S. Cl.

CPC ...

Abstract

A 360° tool for making a one-piece composite tubular structure, such as a skin of an acoustic liner, is adjustable between a molding position and a non-molding position. The tool includes a base, a fixed segment mounted to the base, first and second doors hingedly connected on either side of the fixed sector, and third door hingedly connected to the second door. The third door has a circumferential extent that is less than one-fourth that of either the first or second door. Sealing members are provided between the doors. Collectively, the fixed sector, and the first, second and third doors have a predetermined shaped surface that corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. After composite material is applied on the outer surfaces of the fixed sector and the doors, a vacuum bag is formed to surround the composite material and also the joint areas on the inner surface of the tool. The entire tool may be placed in an autoclave for curing. The tool may also be used for the layup and bonding of an acoustic core sandwiched between pre-cured skins.

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