Allen E. Trudeau - Milford CT Jeffry C. Purse - Branford CT
Assignee:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Strattford CT
International Classification:
G06F 1900
US Classification:
702 33, 702150, 428689
Abstract:
A fiber orientation verification system includes a sensor and an indicator to identify the fiber orientation within each sequentially laid composite material layer. The indicator projects visible indicator lines upon the lay-up surface which are indicative of a desired orientation for the composite material layer. The sensor and the indicator communicate with a computer module which contains a database including a detailed sequence to assure that each layer is proper placed. The operator is thereby provided with an exact location to lay-up each composite material layer and the proper fiber orientation of that layer. Continued verification is thus provided to the operator.
Allen E. Trudeau - Milford CT Steven J. Bullied - Cheshire CT
Assignee:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Stratford CT
International Classification:
B25J 1506
US Classification:
294 65
Abstract:
A transfer device for picking up and placing resin preimpregnated composite plies. The transfer device includes a movable transfer head with a plurality of transfer feet movably mounted within it. Each transfer foot includes a support cage with a plurality of spaced posts extending between upper and lower ends. A mounting plate is located on the support cage. A pickup foot extends from the lower end of the support cage and has a channel formed through it which communicates with an opening in the lower end of the support cage. The pickup foot includes a tip end adapted to contact the resin preimpregnated composite ply. A valve is mounted within the support cage and includes a valve member located adjacent to the opening in the lower end of the support cage. The valve member is movable between a closed position and an open position. A spring surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the transfer foot and biases the transfer foot into the transfer head.
Parallel Processor Control Of Composite Material Handling
A main controller (55) causes a vision controller (36) to determine the exact location of plies (24) for a composite article in response to images from video cameras (35). The main controller then causes a robot controller (40) to direct a robot (42-46) to pick up the plies and move to a neutral position. The main controller causes the vision controller to determine that the plies were in fact picked up. If so, the main controller causes the robot controller to direct the robot to move the plies to the mold while the vision controller looks for the next ply to be picked up, in overlapped fashion. Failure to properly locate the plies and failure to verify that the plies were picked up causes an automatic retry to locate the plies or verify ply pick up.
Method For Manufacture Of A Fiber Reinforced Composite Spar For Rotary Wing Aircraft
Nicholas Iszczyszyn - Stratford CT Allen E. Trudeau - Milford CT David A. Kovalsky - Huntington CT
Assignee:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Stratford CT
International Classification:
B29C 3332 B29C 4310 B29C 7034
US Classification:
264258
Abstract:
A method for manufacture of a fiber reinforced composite spar for a helicopter rotor blade including upper and lower sidewall regions and forward and aft conic regions. Constant width crossplies and unidirectional plies are stacked and arranged to form crossply and unidirectional laminates. The composite spar is manufactured via a vacuum forming technique which includes forming the composite laminates directly over an inflatable mandrel assembly. Regarding the latter method, a spar forming apparatus is used to position and manipulate the mandrel assembly as composite laminates are laid. The spar forming apparatus includes first and second pedestal supports being suitably configured so as to facilitate formation of the butt joints in the conic regions of the composite spar. The pedestal supports are movable from a first orientation to facilitate lay-up of composite laminates over the mandrel assembly, to a second orientation to facilitate transfer of the mandrel assembly from one to the other of the pedestal supports. The spar forming apparatus further includes an electromagnetic coil system comprising at least one electrically activated coil and a controllable power source.
Integrated, Automted Composite Material Manufacturing System For Pre-Cure Processing Of Preimpregnated Composite Materials
An integrated, automated composite material manufacturing system for pre-cure processing of preimpregnated composite materials, and particularly, for one-sided preimpregnated composite materials. The system includes a computer control subsystem for controlling and synchronizing the pre-cure processing operations, a material cutting station for controlled cutting of preimpregnated composite materials into individual composite plies of predetermined size and shape based upon composite ply configurations stored in the computer control subsystem means, a ply unloading subsystem for providing automatic pickup, transfer and placement operations to unload the individual composite plies utilizing a multiplicity of bi-functional transfer feet that are automatically, selectively activated to form a predetermined combination operative to engage and retain and disengage and release the tacky surface of individual composite plies, a ply transfer subsystem automatically operative to transfer composite plies between the unloading subsystem and the ply inverting subsystem, a ply inverting subsystem for rotating individual composite plies to place the non-tacky surface up, a ply transfer/layup subsystem to transfer composite plies to a composite article mold having a mold surface and to layup the transferred composite plies on the mold surface, and a ply conforming subsystem for conforming said layed up composite plies with the mold surface.
A bi-functional transfer foot that is structurally configured and operative to provide automated handling of preimpregnated composite materials. The transfer foot includes a valve member having a knock-off stem movably mounted in a housing, a solenoid valve and fluid line interconnection to vacuum and pressure sources, and a control subsystem for regulating the operation of the transfer foot. The transfer foot is bi-functional for "ON" and "OFF" operation. A control signal issued by the control subsystem turns the transfer foot "ON" wherein vacuum forces causes a first displacement of the valve member within the housing to provide a vacuum force for engaging and retaining the tacky surface of preimpregnated composite plies. Termination of the control signal causes the solenoid valve to exert biasing forces to return the transfer foot to the "OFF" state wherein the transfer foot utilizes pressure forces to cause a second displacement of the valve member within the housing that provides a mechanical force via the knock-off stem to disengage and release the tacky surface of preimpregnated composite plies. Individual transfer feet may be automatically, selectively, activated to form predetermined combinations to match the wide variety of sizes and shapes or patterns of preimpregnated composite materials that may be pre-cure processed via automated composite material manufacturing systems.
Methods Of Making Composites Using Single Sided Resin Impregnated Fabric Plies
Allen E. Trudeau - Ansonia CT Joseph D. Mogilewsky - Huntington CT
Assignee:
United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:
B32B 2704 B32C 4334 B32C 7046
US Classification:
428260
Abstract:
A process handling resin preimpregnated fabric plies that assures release of the plies from surfaces. The process includes applying pressure to a substantially dry side of a resin impregnated fabric ply with a surface, thereby facilitating release of the ply from the surface.
A bonding preparation patch for application to a resin treated surface is provided. The patch includes a strip having first and second portions, each of which has corresponding first and second sides. The strip is formed of resin porous material and is foldable such that the respective first sides of the first and second portions face each other. The patch further includes a resin barrier interposable between corresponding portions of the respective first sides and a tape including at least one adhesive side, which is securable relative to the first portion and disposable in contact with the second side of the second portion.