Patent ID: 8356989

Claim:
A double vacuum chamber resin infusion device configured for vacuum assisted resin infusion of a preform comprising: a mold configured to support the preform; an inner bag sealed to the mold, wherein the inner bag comprises a first flexible high elongation bag, wherein high elongation comprises elongation of 500 percent and higher, wherein the inner bag sealed to the mold comprises a first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum chamber encloses the preform; an outer bag sealed to the mold, wherein the outer bag comprises a second flexible high elongation bag, wherein the outer bag encloses the inner bag, and wherein the outer bag sealed to the mold comprises a second vacuum chamber, wherein the second vacuum chamber sealed with respect to the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first and second vacuum chambers each have a separate vacuum integrity with no intercommunication therebetween, each of the first and second vacuum chambers capable of containing respectively different vacuum pressures, wherein the first and the second vacuum chambers are configured to maintain the respectively different vacuum pressures in the first and second vacuum chambers during infusion of resin, and wherein the first and the second vacuum chambers are configured to exert a compressive force on the preform during infusion of resin and curing of resin, wherein the compressive force comprises a caul effect; at least one vacuum pump coupled to the first vacuum chamber and the second vacuum chamber and configured to evacuate the second vacuum chamber to a vacuum level less than the vacuum level in the first vacuum chamber; and a resin source coupled to the first vacuum chamber, wherein the resin source is configured to infuse the resin into the preform.