US 12,434,447 B2
Apparatus and method for processing a composite structure
James R. Kendall, Mount Pleasant, SC (US); and Byron James Autry, Charleston, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/522,999.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,160, filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0152951 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/443 (2013.01) [B29C 70/446 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of processing a composite structure, the method comprising:
positioning a first processing-tool of a tooling assembly and a second processing-tool of the tooling assembly from an open position, in which the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are spaced apart, to a closed position, in which the first processing-tool and the second processing-tool are in contact with and sealed to each other and are in contact with and sealed to a rigid portion of a mandrel-tool, supporting the composite structure, to form a vessel that surrounds the composite structure; and
processing the composite structure.