Composite Fabrication with Controlled Heating and Cooling
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Summary
Problems
Current composite fabrication techniques face limitations in achieving controlled cool-down, maintaining dimensional accuracy, and optimizing resin system performance, particularly in high-production-rate applications where rapid heating and consolidation are required.
Innovation solutions
A composite fabrication apparatus comprising a pair of movable tooling dies with contoured surfaces, induction coils for thermal control, and a cooling system, allowing for precise heating and cooling of molding compounds to form and consolidate composite sheets efficiently.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If heated dies are used for composite fabrication, then heating capability is improved, but controlled cool-down capability deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
The tooling system is segmented into separate heating and cooling functional zones. Heating is achieved through induction coils coupled with die susceptors in specific regions, while independent cooling channels provide controlled cool-down in other regions. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential operation of heating and cooling functions without interference.
Principle concept:
If heated dies are used for composite fabrication, then heating capability is improved, but controlled cool-down capability deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
Die susceptors are introduced as intermediary elements between the induction coils and the composite workpiece. These susceptors efficiently transfer electromagnetic energy to thermal energy locally, enabling precise heating control. The cooling medium serves as an intermediary heat sink, absorbing excess heat and enabling controlled cool-down rates independent of the heating system.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A composite fabrication apparatus comprising a pair of movable tooling dies with contoured surfaces, induction coils for thermal control, and a cooling system, allowing for precise heating and cooling of molding compounds to form and consolidate composite sheets efficiently.
Abstract
A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a thermal control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.