Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100271405 | Method and System for Transforming a CAD Model of an Object Between Engineering States - In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for transforming a CAD model of an object between engineering states includes generating a first reference geometry to represent a first engineering state. A parametric CAD model of the object may be generated to represent the object in the first engineering state by constructing the parametric CAD model as having dependence on the first reference geometry. A second reference geometry may be generated to represent a second engineering state. The parametric CAD model may be regenerated to represent the object in the second engineering state by replacing the first reference geometry with the second reference geometry. | 10-28-2010 |
20090035406 | COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION CONTROL STRUCTURE - The present invention is directed to the incorporation of a substructure into tooling for constructing composite structures in order to control thermal expansion of the tooling during aerospace manufacturing processes. Substructure, such as headers and/or gussets is added to the tooling to constrain the growth of the laminate expansion and/or control the diametric growth of the tool during the curing cycle. The thickness of the face-sheet of the tooling also may be reduced in order to further reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the tooling. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033040 | AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT MANDREL JOINT CONFIGURATION - The present invention provides an automated fiber joint placement machine mandrel configuration where the lap joint is preferably parallel to the mold surface. Accordingly, the user may shim the mandrel segments without otherwise affecting the integrity of the seal. A lap joint is preferably utilized wherein mandrel segments are split at the stringer centerline through the middle of the hat or through the cap of the stringer. The lap joint is preferably designed such that the face sheets of the mandrel segments preferably lie flat on top of one another when placed in contact. The seal plane is thus protected. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033013 | MULTI-PIECE AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT MANDREL AUTOMATED CLAMPING AND INDEXING SYSTEM - The present invention provides an automated mandrel clamping and indexing mechanism for a multi-piece AFP mandrel wherein a clamping mechanism is used in order to secure mandrel segments together as well as to join mandrel segments to end rings. The clamping mechanism is preferably integrated with an indexing mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention such that mandrel segments will preferably remain securely connected and aligned until air is applied to the clamping and indexing mechanism in order to unclamp the secured mandrel segments and remove the part being manufactured. The clamping and indexing mechanism preferably withstands the autoclave heat and pressure that is typically experienced during the curing part of the manufacturing process. | 02-05-2009 |