Patrick J Shephard

US Patent:

20180304606, Oct 25, 2018

Filed:

Apr 19, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/491101

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Brad A. Coxon - Everett WA, US
Gabriel Zane Forston - Lake Stevens WA, US
Jake Adam Reeves - Newcastle WA, US
Khanh Mai Pham - Renton WA, US
Stephen Lee Metschan - Black Diamond WA, US
Patrick Shephard - Woodinville WA, US
John Dempsey Morris - Seattle WA, US
Steven Philip Hansen - Everett WA, US
Brian Dodgson - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

B32B 37/10
B32B 5/10
B32B 27/38
B32B 37/06
B32B 37/00
B29C 65/02
B29C 65/00

Abstract:

Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.