US 11,938,689 B2
Apparatus and method for processing a composite structure
James R. Kendall, Mount Pleasant, SC (US); and Byron James Autry, Charleston, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/522,987.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,133, filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0152950 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/443 (2013.01) [B29C 70/446 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for processing a composite structure, the apparatus comprising:
a first processing-tool and a second processing-tool that are movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a layup mandrel that supports the composite structure during layup and during processing,
wherein:
in the open position, the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are separated from each other;
in the closed position, the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are in contact with and sealed to each other and are in contact with and sealed to the layup mandrel, which is located between the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool, such that the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool form an outer shell wall of a vessel and the layup mandrel forms an inner shell wall of the vessel and a positive pressure is applied to the composite structure against the layup mandrel.