James E Kendall

US Patent:

20220176653, Jun 9, 2022

Filed:

Nov 23, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/456268

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
James R. Kendall - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Paul D. Shaw - Charleston SC, US
Sergio Urzainqui - Torres de Elorz, ES

International Classification:

B29C 70/38
B29C 70/54

Abstract:

A self-threading lamination head has a material supply drum, a backing layer collection drum, and a material threading system. The material supply drum supports a material roll of layup material backed by a backing layer. The material threading system includes at least one threading belt located on one side of the lamination head. The threading belt is supported by belt rollers driven by a belt drive motor. A belt-mounted layer engagement device is coupled to the threading belt for engaging a backing layer leading edge portion. The backing layer collection drum collects the backing layer as the lamination head applies the layup material onto a substrate. The belt drive motor drives the threading belt over the belt rollers and causes the belt-mounted layer engagement device to thread the backing layer through the lamination head, and position the backing layer leading edge portion proximate the backing layer collection drum.

US Patent:

20220176656, Jun 9, 2022

Filed:

Nov 23, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/456248

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi - Kirkland WA, US
James R. Kendall - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Paul D. Shaw - Charleston SC, US
Sergio Urzainqui - Torres de Elorz, ES
Manuel Motilva - Pamplona, ES

International Classification:

B29C 70/54
B29C 70/38

Abstract:

A lamination head for laying up a composite laminate includes a material supply drum supporting roll of layup material backed by a backing layer, a first and second separation device respectively having a first and second horn, and a first and second compaction device. When the first separation device is extended, the first horn is in close proximity to the first compaction device, causing a layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the first compaction device as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel. When the second separation device is extended, the second horn is in close proximity to the second compaction device, causing the layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the second compaction device as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel.

US Patent:

20210260795, Aug 26, 2021

Filed:

Feb 26, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/802297

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Kurtis S. Willden - Kent WA, US
Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi - Kirkland WA, US
Paul D. Shaw - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
James R. Kendall - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B29C 33/50
B29C 70/44
B29C 33/30

Abstract:

Described are methods and systems for manufacturing curved composite stringers. Such composite stringers may have in-plane and/or out-of-plane bends, which are formed while shaping composite charges. Specifically, a composite charge is shaped using a pallet, comprising a plurality of independent pallet portions, rotatably coupled to each other. A hat portion is formed when a part of this charge is conformed to a cavity in the pallet. The pallet portions are rotated relative to each other while forming the hat portion and/or when the hat portion already conforms to the cavity. In some examples, the die is bent together with the charge, when the pallet portions are rotated. This rotation produces one or more of in-plane and/or out-of-plane bends. In some examples, flange portions of the composite charge are positioned in a temporary orientation, e.g., to enable bending of the charge and reduce wrinkles.