CORRUGATED SUBSTRUCTURE FORMING TOOL

Abstract

A process and apparatus for rapidly and accurately forming corrugated substructures of complex shapes utilizing composite material A plurality of movable elongated ribs are positioned on a base plate for lateral movement between an open position at which all of the ribs are physically separated and a closed position at which each of the ribs is engaged with its adjacent rib or ribs. The ribs are so formed that when they collectively assume the closed position, upper regions of the ribs remain spaced apart to define longitudinally extending channels. A pre-cut sheet of composite prepreg material is laid over the ribs so as to be coextensive with them. The ribs are then moved together mechanically or by means of vacuum drawing the sheet material into the channels or both. With the aid of elongated tooling bars placed on the outer surface of the sheet material and aligned with successive channel s, the sheet material is drawn into conforming relationship with the ribs. A frame fixture is then attached to encompass the outer periphery of the ribs to releasably hold the ribs in their collectively closed positions. So supported, the sheet material can be removed from the base plate, then cured so as to retain the corrugated shape imparted by the ribs acting collectively.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1VICTOR N. SAFFIRE