U.S. Patent No. 8,083,984

Title:  Apparatus and Method for Close Tolerance Forming of Areas in Fiber Reinforced Resin Composite Components

Issue Date:  December 27, 2011

Applicant:  Short Brothers PLC

Abstract:  An apparatus and method for forming a fiber reinforced resin composite component by a resin transfer infusion (RTI) process in which a preform is laid up on a hard base tool and a bagging blanket is applied as a flexible upper tooling. Edge and/or other regions of the preform are superimposed by localized control plates which, together with spacer pins passing through the preform, serve to determine localized dimensional accuracy in the component without the need for hard upper tooling throughout.

Available at:  Patent No. 8,083,984

Downloadable copy:  [Patent No. 8,083,984 PDF]