Patent ID: 11865803
Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 15:
16. A tooling assembly for forming a composite part, the tooling assembly comprising:
an elongated conveying apparatus;
a forming tool configured to support a plurality of plies used to form the composite part, the forming tool movably supported by the elongated conveying apparatus;
a plurality of spheres made of a rigid material, wherein the plurality of spheres includes at least one of a plurality of particles each having a sphericity of at least 0.50, a plurality of grains each having a sphericity of at least 0.50, or a plurality of aggregate materials each having a sphericity of at least 0.50; and
a pressure vessel disposed along the elongated conveying apparatus and comprising:
an entrance opening provided at an upstream end of the pressure vessel configured to receive the forming tool as the forming tool is conveyed along the elongated conveying surface,
an exit opening provided at a downstream end of the pressure vessel configured to permit the forming tool to exit the pressure vessel after it is conveyed through the pressure vessel,
an interior chamber between the entrance opening and the exit opening, wherein the plurality of spheres are located within the interior chamber, wherein the plurality of spheres are configured to press against the plurality of plies as the forming tool is conveyed through the pressure vessel, and
a diaphragm configured to expand and restrict as a compressed gas enters and exits the diaphragm, and wherein the diaphragm is configured to push the plurality of spheres thereby causing the plurality of spheres to increase the pressure with which the plurality of spheres push against the plurality of plies.