US 11,780,184 B2
Methods and apparatus for securing an autoclave bag to a composite fixture
Douglas George Bradbury, Evendale, OH (US); Daniel P. Ivkovich, Evendale, OH (US); and Nolan Leander Cousineau, Evendale, OH (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Apr. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/245,524.
Prior Publication US 2022/0347946 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29C 70/34 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/544 (2021.05) [B29C 70/342 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7504 (2013.01); F23R 2900/00018 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a detachable flange sealing device including:
a forward flange including a first indented groove at a first end; and
an aft flange including a second indented groove at a second end; and
a composite fixture including:
a forward groove in a first protrusion from an exterior surface of the composite fixture at a forward end, wherein, when the detachable flange sealing device is positioned on the composite fixture, the forward groove is to locate and seal with the forward flange of the detachable flange sealing device to affix an autoclave bag;
an aft groove in a second protrusion from the exterior surface of the composite fixture at an aft end, wherein, when the detachable flange sealing device is positioned on the composite fixture, the aft groove is to locate and seal with the aft flange of the detachable flange sealing device to affix the autoclave bag; and
an aft locating ring located on an aft edge of the composite fixture to position the autoclave bag.