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:
Nov. 26, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 25, 2011
Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Hohenkammer, DE;
Bruno Betoni Parodi, Rio de Janeiro, BR;
Julian Thomas O'flynn, Munich, DE;
Thomas Kluge, Lenggries, DE;
Thomas Koerwien, Hoehenkirchen-siegertsbrunn, DE;
Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Hohenkammer, DE;
Bruno Betoni Parodi, Rio de Janeiro, BR;
Julian Thomas O'Flynn, Munich, DE;
Thomas Kluge, Lenggries, DE;
Thomas Koerwien, Hoehenkirchen-siegertsbrunn, DE;
General Electric Company, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Abstract
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods for molding and curing of composite articles are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a molding apparatus including an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support and a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support. In one embodiment, the mold includes an inner surface, the inner surface further including a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber. In one embodiment, a prepreg is further disposed within the molding chamber, wherein the prepreg is disposed on the first surface of the elastic layer. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer, thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article. In one embodiment, the method further includes curing the molded composite article in the molding chamber to form a cured composite article. An apparatus for molding and curing of composite articles is also provided.