US 11,691,356 B2
System and method for forming stacked materials
Chrishauna Nicole McCullough, Augusta, GA (US); Nolan Leander Cousineau, West Chester, OH (US); Simeon Paul Copple, Wilmington, OH (US); and Patrick Wayne Hollingsworth, North East, MD (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/169,623.
Prior Publication US 2022/0250339 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/56 (2006.01); B29C 70/34 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B29C 43/12 (2006.01); B29C 43/36 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/342 (2013.01) [B29C 70/56 (2013.01); B29C 43/12 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3655 (2013.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for forming stacked material, the system comprising:
a housing defining an interior space and comprising a bottom wall and a side wall coupled to the bottom wall;
a tool configured to shape the stacked material, the tool disposed within the interior space;
a membrane extending at least partially over the bottom wall and spaced a distance from the bottom wall, the membrane configured to move towards the bottom wall; and
an intensifier mechanism disposed in the interior space and configured to induce a force against a portion of the stacked material and against the tool as the membrane is moved towards the bottom wall,
wherein the intensifier mechanism comprises:
a support;
a first body coupled to the support; and
a second body having a main portion, a pivoting portion, and a joint, the main portion being coupled to the support, the joint movably coupling the main portion to the pivoting portion, and
wherein the joint is configured to allow the pivoting portion to pivot in relation to the main portion when the membrane moves towards the bottom wall, and wherein the joint is a universal joint that allows relative rotation between the main portion and the pivoting portion of the second body around two axes.