US 11,999,086 B2
System for forming a composite part
Mark Anthony Wadsworth, Sedan, KS (US)
Assigned to Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed by Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/487,090.
Prior Publication US 2023/0100049 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 45/14 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 45/14065 (2013.01) [B29C 45/14311 (2013.01); B29C 2045/14327 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for forming a composite part comprising:
a mold including:
a first mold portion including a first molding surface;
a second mold portion including a second molding surface; and
at least one laminate sheet opening between the first mold portion and the second mold portion when the mold is in a closed, molding configuration,
wherein, when the mold is in the closed, molding configuration, the first molding surface and the second molding surface collectively at least partially form an internal cavity inward of the at least one laminate sheet opening and defining an outer contour of the composite part being formed;
an injection molding nozzle positioned to inject resin into the internal cavity during the forming of the composite part; and
a laminate sheet supporting frame located outside of the mold and proximate to the at least one laminate sheet opening, wherein the laminate sheet supporting frame is attachable to at least one laminate sheet such that a portion of the at least one laminate sheet is passable through the at least one laminate sheet opening from the outside of the mold to the internal cavity when the mold is in the closed, molding configuration, wherein the laminate sheet supporting frame includes at least one tensioner attachable to the at least one laminate sheet and elongatable when the at least one laminate sheet is fed into the mold.