Patent ID: 8808612
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A method for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold, the mold comprising a tool surface, a plurality of resin injection ports, at least one vent, and a flexible film covering the preform and sealed to the tool surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting resin through the plurality of resin injection ports; (b) detecting a plurality of resin flow fronts emanating from the resin injection ports; (c) predicting an effect of sealing a vacuum induced preform relaxation (VIPR) chamber over the flexible film based on the detected plurality of resin flow fronts, the predicting comprising simulating a future resin flow front based on a potential location for the VIPR chamber, and selecting a location for deploying the VIPR chamber based on the predicted effect; and (d) deploying the VIPR chamber in a sealed relationship with the flexible film in the selected location and introducing vacuum into the VIPR chamber.