Martin R Mclaughlin

US Patent:

58634525, Jan 26, 1999

Filed:

Apr 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/837402

Inventors:

Robert L. Harshberger - Lakewood CA
Keith A. Olsen - Lakewood CA
John E. Potter - Camarillo CA
Martin J. McLaughlin - Los Angeles CA
Stephen P. Grossman - El Segundo CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B22D 1900
B22C 908

US Classification:

249 83

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for making a fiber reinforced composite wherein fiber reinforcement material is disposed in a molding cavity formed between a substantially rigid molding tool and a compliant molding tool in a pressurizable chamber of a pressure vessel, such as an autoclave. Uncured polymer resin is introduced under pressure to the molding cavity by a resin pump disposed in the chamber or external thereof so as to initially infiltrate the fiber reinforcement material with the resin. The chamber is gas pressurized to provide isostatic pressure on the rigid and compliant tools during resin infiltration of the fiber reinforcement material. The resin-infiltrated fiber reinforcement material then is heated in the chamber to cure the resin matrix. Large surface area composites of the aerospace skin structure type can be made using the present invention.