US 11,772,339 B2
Three-dimensional printing of composite repair patches and structures
Jeong-Beom Ihn, Bellevue, WA (US); Sung-Hoon Ahn, Seongnam (KR); Gil-Yong Lee, Seoul (KR); Hyung-Soo Kim, Seoul (KR); Min-Soo Kim, Seoul (KR); Ho-Jin Kim, Seoul (KR); and Soo-Hong Min, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US); and Seoul National University R&DB Foundation, Seoul (KR)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/152,926.
Application 17/152,926 is a division of application No. 15/915,139, filed on Mar. 8, 2018, granted, now 10,933,600.
Prior Publication US 2021/0138747 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 73/12 (2006.01); B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/165 (2017.01); B29C 70/38 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29C 70/78 (2006.01); B29C 73/10 (2006.01); B29C 70/68 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B29K 63/00 (2006.01); B29K 307/04 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01); B29K 105/06 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 73/12 (2013.01) [B29C 64/165 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/321 (2017.08); B29C 70/384 (2013.01); B29C 70/545 (2013.01); B29C 70/683 (2013.01); B29C 70/78 (2013.01); B29C 73/10 (2013.01); B29K 2063/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/06 (2013.01); B29K 2307/04 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for adding composite material to a composite structure, comprising:
a mixer for mixing liquid ingredients contained therein;
tubing having one end in fluid communication with the mixer for receiving a liquid mixture from the mixer;
a fiber roll having a fiber roving wound thereon; and
a printer head, wherein the printer head comprises:
a printing roller;
a fiber guide configured to guide successive portions of fiber roving from the fiber roll toward the printing roller;
a fitting in fluid communication with another end of the tubing for receiving liquid mixture therefrom and having an opening adjacent to the printing roller that enables liquid mixture to flow onto the printing roller;
front and back plates fixedly coupled to each other, the printing roller and fiber guide being disposed between the front and back plates, the printing roller being translatable and rotatable relative to the front and back plates, and the fiber guide being affixed to the front and back plates; and
a first compliant linear guide coupled to the front and back plates, wherein the first compliant linear guide comprises:
a base fixedly coupled to the front and back plates;
a carriage translatably coupled to the base;
a compression spring arranged between the base and the carriage to urge the carriage to translate away from the base;
a pair of roller support arms affixed to and projecting in parallel away from the carriage; and
a first axle having opposite ends affixed to the roller support arms, the printing roller being rotatably coupled to the first axle, and
wherein the carriage comprises a pair of dovetail channels formed on opposing sides of the carriage, and the first compliant linear guide further comprises a pair of dovetail rails affixed to and projecting in parallel away from the base and respectively slidably coupled to the pair of dovetail channels.