US 11,840,025 B2
Thermoplastic composite induction welding tooling for ribs
Francis J. Samalot, St. Louis, MO (US); and Michael P. Matlack, St. Charles, MO (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/491,447.
Prior Publication US 2023/0095229 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29C 65/32 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/7802 (2013.01) [B29C 65/32 (2013.01); B29C 65/7841 (2013.01); B29C 66/71 (2013.01); B29C 66/8242 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermoplastic welding assembly for joining a plurality of thermoplastic support components to a thermoplastic component, comprising:
a frame having a plurality of welding slots;
a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink positioned within one of the welding slots;
a plurality of individually actuatable pressurizers, each pressurizer comprising:
an alignment actuator configured to move one thermoplastic support component of the plurality of thermoplastic support components into alignment with one welding slot, and
a clamping actuator configured to move the one thermoplastic support component into contact with the thermoplastic component; and
at least one welding probe for welding the plurality of thermoplastic support components to the thermoplastic component through the welding slots.