Patent ID: 9375908
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B29C,B32B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A flexible vacuum compaction device for compacting a charge of composite material on a supporting surface of a layup mandrel that is configured to receive the charge of composite material, wherein the device is configured to be operatively positioned relative to the supporting surface to define an enclosed volume, the device comprising: a flexible substrate that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation and a deployed conformation that is different from the stowed conformation, wherein the flexible substrate defines: a retention manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source to selectively apply the retention vacuum; an evacuation manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of evacuation conduits and the vacuum source to selectively apply an evacuation vacuum to the enclosed volume; and a sealing structure that is configured to form a fluid seal between the supporting surface and the flexible substrate when compressed therebetween.