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. 16, 2018
Filed:
Sep. 18, 2015
General Electric Company, Schentectady, NY (US);
Mark Ernest Vermilyea, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Nicholas Joseph Kray, Mason, OH (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A fiber placement system is provided that can include a compaction roller defining a plurality of openings between a roller outer surface and a roller inner surface. The plurality of openings are in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A cover can be included in or on the compaction roller so as to block airflow through a portion of the openings. The fiber placement system can also include a head including a frame and at least one supply spool mounted on the frame. The supply spool is supported on a hub for rotation, and the compaction roller is aligned to receive one or more fiber tows from the at least one supply spool. Methods are also provided for laying a prepreg tow material using automated fiber placement.