Patent ID: 6991449
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for de-bulking a composite material preform laid up in a mold, the apparatus comprising: a vacuum bag adapted to seal said perform to said mold, said vacuum bag having means for drawing a vacuum from between said vacuum bag and the mold; a flexible cover adapted to fit over the mold, vacuum bag and preform and attach to the sides of mold, said cover having an inlet port located in the cover such that when the cover is fitted over the mold, and said vacuum bag and preform, said inlet port is positioned over the preform; sealing means for sealing the peripheral portions of said cover to the sides of the mold forming a chamber over the preform and vacuum bag; and pump means having an inlet and an outlet coupled to the inlet port of said cover, said pump means for pumping heated air into said chamber, said pump means including: