US 12,337,551 B2
Automated fiber placement roller
Julie Frances Murphy, Puyallup, WA (US); Adam La Gorce, Maple Valley, WA (US); Kevin F. Malik, Seattle, WA (US); Alexandra K. Dillon, Seattle, WA (US); and Richard V. Phillips, Preston, ID (US)
Assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 11, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/399,876.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/106,786, filed on Oct. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0126531 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/00 (2006.01); B29C 70/38 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/384 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated fiber placement roller comprising:
a flexible rim member arranged about a central axis and having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the central axis is closer to the inner side than to the outer side;
a hub member arranged substantially concentric with the flexible rim member about the central axis, wherein the hub member defines an opening to receive a shaft of an automated fiber placement machine;
a plurality of curved interconnect members extending between the hub member and the flexible rim member, wherein each of the plurality of curved interconnect members is elastically deformable to accommodate deformation of the flexible rim member; and
one or more roller skin layers coupled to the outer side of the flexible rim member; and
wherein portions of each of the flexible rim member, the hub member, and the plurality of curved interconnect members are metallic, and wherein portions of each of the flexible rim member, the hub member, and the plurality of curved interconnect members are polymeric.