Resin transfer molding systems and control logic for manufacturing fiber-reinforced composite parts

Patent · Tue Sep 28 04:00:00 EDT 2021

OSTI ID:1840487

Rodgers, William R.; Aitharaju, Venkateshwar R.

Presented are manufacturing control systems for fabricating composite-material structures, methods for making/operating such systems, and resin transfer molding techniques for ameliorating race-tracking effects in fiber-reinforced polymer panels. A method for forming a composite-material construction includes confirming, via a system electronic control unit (ECU), that a fiber-based preform is placed in a mold cavity and that opposing mold segments of the molding apparatus are sealed together. A filler, such as a compressible bladder, a cluster of spring-biased pins, or a spray-chopped fiber bed, is introduced into a void between the fiber-based preform and a tool face of one mold segment to thereby eliminate an unwanted resin race track. The system ECU commands a resin pump to inject resin through a primary gate of the molding apparatus and into the mold cavity to thereby impregnate the fiber-based preform with the resin. One or more vents operate to evacuate air from the mold.

• Research Organization: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EE0006826
• Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit, MI)
• Patent Number(s): 11,130,295
• Application Number: 16/257,801
• OSTI ID: 1840487
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English