초록 ▼

Fiber-reinforced resin deposits or other materials are consolidated in a noncontact-frictionless manner through the use of a pressurized plenum chamber (20) of a fluid bearing (10). The fluid bearing (10) is flexible and floats relative to the material (16) to be consolidated so that ply drop-offs a

Fiber-reinforced resin deposits or other materials are consolidated in a noncontact-frictionless manner through the use of a pressurized plenum chamber (20) of a fluid bearing (10). The fluid bearing (10) is flexible and floats relative to the material (16) to be consolidated so that ply drop-offs and other variations in the thickness or surface contour of the material are easily accommodated. While within the plenum chamber, the material is locally heated by radiant energy from a source (30) positioned within the chamber. This localized heating enables the material to solidify in cooler zones of the plenum chamber under a uniform pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface, comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated; means for inflating said cushion and pressurizing said plenum chamber with fluid to float said fluid bearing in proximate r

Apparatus for consolidating materials on a work surface, comprising: a fluid bearing having a flexible, inflatable cushion, said cushion forming a plenum chamber when inflated; means for inflating said cushion and pressurizing said plenum chamber with fluid to float said fluid bearing in proximate relationship to a work surface and material to be consolidated thereon; means for applying a load to said fluid bearing so as to develop a predetermined pressure in said plenum chamber; positioning means for positioning said fluid bearing so that said inflatable cushion is spaced from said material and said plenum chamber is superposed relative to said material and said work surface to apply the pressure in said plenum chamber to said material; and heating means for heating said material while the pressure in said plenum chamber is applied thereto.