US 12,297,572 B2
Systems and methods for self-cleaning needles for through thickness reinforcement of resin-infused fabrics
Katherine E. Waugh, San Diego, CA (US); Christopher C. Koroly, Spring Valley, CA (US); and Vijay V. Pujar, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to ROHR, INC., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed by Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/165,271.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/421,096, filed on Oct. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0141573 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. D04H 18/02 (2012.01); B08B 1/12 (2024.01); B08B 1/20 (2024.01)
CPC D04H 18/02 (2013.01) [B08B 1/12 (2024.01); B08B 1/20 (2024.01); D10B 2505/02 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end effector for the through thickness reinforcement of a fibrous preform, the end effector comprising:
a body;
a presser foot mounted to the body and moveable with respect to the body, the presser foot defines a cavity;
a needle mounted to the body and moveable with respect to the body between a first extended position, wherein the needle extends from the cavity, and a first retracted position, wherein the needle retracts into the cavity; and
a needle cleaning material coupled to the presser foot.