Patent ID: 6245275
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for fabricating composite structures, comprising:providing a skin having at least one layer of uncured composite material;providing a flexible hinge tool having first and second tooling portions coupled with a flexible hinge, the first and second tooling portions each having a molding surface, and configured to form at least a portion of a stiffening member;laying up at least one layer of uncured composite material on the molding surfaces to form the stiffening member;positioning the flexible hinge tool on the skin such that the uncured composite material laid up on the first tooling portion of the hinge tool contacts the skin, and such that the uncured composite material on the second tooling portion extends from the skin to form an upstanding segment of the stiffening member;curing the skin and the uncured composite material on the flexible hinge tool simultaneously to form a stiffened composite structure; andremoving the flexible hinge tool by bending the tool at the flexible hinge such that the first portion of the tool peels away from the skin, and such that the second portion of the tool peels away from the upstanding segment of the stiffening member.