초록 ▼

A method for making a honeycomb core composite article includes forming a honeycomb core (24) and a precured composite skin (20) having a core edge (32) and a restraint edge (30), respectively. The precured composite skin (20) is placed in combination with a rigid mold member having a mold surface (

A method for making a honeycomb core composite article includes forming a honeycomb core (24) and a precured composite skin (20) having a core edge (32) and a restraint edge (30), respectively. The precured composite skin (20) is placed in combination with a rigid mold member having a mold surface (12s) and the honeycomb core (24) is mated with the precured composite skin (20) to form a mated subassembly (36). An uncured composite skin (22) is laid over the mated subassembly (36) such that a peripheral portion (44) of the uncured composite skin (22) extends beyond the restraint edge (30) by a distance X and such that the peripheral portion (44) is in superposed abutting engagement with the mold surface (12s). The honeycomb core (24), the precured composite skin (20) and the uncured composite skin (22) define a composite lay-up (10) over which a vacuum bag (14) is disposed. The resultant mold cavity (60) is evacuated to urge the vacuum bag (14) against the uncured composite skin (22) thereby effecting engagement of the peripheral portion (44) with the restraint edge (30) and the mold surface (12s). The composite lay-up (10) is then cured to form the completed honeycomb core composite article. The method produces a honeycomb core composite article wherein the honeycomb core (24) thereof is accurately located and substantially distortion-free.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for making a honeycomb core composite article comprising the steps of:forming a honeycomb core (24) having a core edge (32);forming a precured composite skin (20) having a restraint edge (30);placing said precured composite skin (20) in combination with a rigid m

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for making a honeycomb core composite article comprising the steps of:forming a honeycomb core (24) having a core edge (32);forming a precured composite skin (20) having a restraint edge (30);placing said precured composite skin (20) in combination with a rigid mold member (12) having a mold surface (12s);mating said honeycomb core (24) to said precured composite skin (20) thereby forming a mated subassembly (36) wherein said restraint edge (30) extends beyond said core edge (32);laying-up an uncured composite skin (22) over said mated subassembly (36) so that a peripheral portion (44) of the uncured composite skin (22) extends beyond said restraint edge (30) by a distance X and, furthermore, so that said peripheral portion (44) is in superposed abutting engagement with said mold surface (12s), and wherein said honeycomb core (24), said precured composite skin (20) and said uncured composite skin (22) in combination define a composite lay-up (10);disposing a vacuum bag (14) over said composite lay-up (10) thereby forming a mold cavity (60) between said mold surface (12s) and said vacuum bag (14);evacuating said mold cavity (60) to urge said vacuum bag (14) against said uncured composite skin (22) for compacting the same against said mated subassembly (36), said vacuum bag (14) effecting engagement of said peripheral portion (44) with said restraint edge (30) and said mold surface (12s) for preventing lateral displacement of said uncured composite skin (22); and,curing said composite lay-up (10) to form the honeycomb core composite article.