Patent ID: 11938689
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An apparatus for processing a composite structure, the apparatus comprising:
a first processing-tool and a second processing-tool that are movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a layup mandrel that supports the composite structure during layup and during processing,
wherein:
in the open position, the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are separated from each other;
in the closed position, the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are in contact with and sealed to each other and are in contact with and sealed to the layup mandrel, which is located between the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool, such that the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool form an outer shell wall of a vessel and the layup mandrel forms an inner shell wall of the vessel and a positive pressure is applied to the composite structure against the layup mandrel.