Patent ID: 9120246
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L,B31D,B32B

Abstract:
1. A method of making a composite core, the method comprising: providing a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel comprising: placing a composite material around each mandrel; placing the plurality of mandrels in a tool, the tool being configured to constrain the plurality of mandrels as the mandrels experience a thermal expansion; heating the mandrels so that the mandrels thermally expand, thereby applying a pressure to the composite material during a cure cycle, the step of heating the mandrels including increasing a temperature of the mandrels for a duration, the increase in temperature during the duration causing a first pressure plateau as the flat walled leg portions of the hollow portion collapse and second pressure plateau as a diameter of the interior portion collapses; and cooling and separating the mandrels from the composite core.