Improvements in or relating to the art of moulding, for example, as applied to the production of skins for aerofoil structures

摘要

612,203. Moulding skins for aerofoil structures &c. GORDON, J. E., EVANS, C. G., PHILLIPS, L. N., BROADSMITH, N. E., McMULLEN, P. L., QUINT, B. S. C., BURGESS, D. G., and WHITCUT, H. M. Sept. 11, 1946. No. 24458/47. Divided out of 612,202. [Class 87 (ii)] The space between a mould surface 10 and a rubber bag 28 is evacuated of air, whereby a sheet 24 of thermosetting material such as resinated asbestos sheet is pressed against the surface 10. A layer of porous material is disposed between the rubber bag and the sheet of thermosetting material, this layer comprising two sheets 26, 27 of cellular material such as glass fibre cloth enclosing an electrical resistance network 25. The free edges of the bag 28 and porous layer are led up over angle members 29, 30, placed on top of the mould, and are sealed by clamps 31, 32. Air is sucked from the porous layer by a vacuum pump via pipes 37, 38 and gauze blocks 33, 34 located in the angle members. Whilst pressure is applied by the atmosphere to the thermosetting material, the latter is heated by energising the network 25 and other networks 16, 19 embedded in the mould. The moulded article may be removed by springing it out of the mould or sliding it sideways (towards or away from the observer).