US 11,904,510 B2
Continuous compression molding machines and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material
Trevor David Charest, St. Louis, MO (US); Aaron Ross Cowin, Dardenne Prairie, MO (US); Gregory James Schoepen Hickman, Charleston, SC (US); Justin Joseph Schell, St. Charles, MO (US); and Randall Dow Wilkerson, O'Fallon, MO (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/669,200.
Prior Publication US 2023/0249384 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 43/26 (2006.01); B29C 43/44 (2006.01); B29C 43/52 (2006.01); B29C 70/50 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 43/265 (2013.01) [B29C 43/44 (2013.01); B29C 43/52 (2013.01); B29C 70/50 (2013.01); B29K 2995/004 (2013.01); B29K 2995/0039 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material, the method comprising:
providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM), which includes a thermoplastic material, to a continuous compression molding machine (CCMM); and
during the providing:
(i) heating the TMCM, within a heat zone of the CCMM, to an initial temperature that is above a melt temperature of the thermoplastic material;
(ii) cooling and consolidating the TMCM, within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, to a subsequent temperature;
(iii) relaxing stress within the TMCM, within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, at a stress relaxation temperature;
(iv) demolding the TMCM from a mold of the CCMM within a demold zone of the CCMM and at a demold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material; and
(v) periodically compressing the TMCM, with the mold of the CCMM, to form the TMCM to a desired shape for the consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material.