Bulk Resin Infusion System Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

1 . A mandrel comprising:
 a preform receiving zone; and   a resin receiving zone adjacent to the preform receiving zone.   
   
   
       2 . The mandrel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sealing zone to receive a sealant.   
   
   
       3 . The mandrel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an exit port for fluid connection to a vacuum source.   
   
   
       4 . The mandrel according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a choke zone to reduce the likelihood of the resin being drawn into the exit port.   
   
   
       5 . A device for infusing a layup, comprising:
 a mandrel to receive the layup, the mandrel comprising:
 a preform receiving zone; and 
 a resin receiving zone adjacent to the preform receiving zone; and 
   a bagging film to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.   
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a sealant to seal the bagging film to the mandrel.   
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a sealing zone to receive the sealant.   
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an exit port for fluid connection to a vacuum source.   
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a choke zone to reduce the likelihood of the resin being forced into the exit port.   
   
   
       10 . A system for fabricating a composite item, comprising:
 a layer of preform corresponding to the composite item;   a supply of resin sufficient to infuse the preform;   a mandrel comprising:
 a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform; and 
 a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin, the resin receiving zone being adjacent to the preform receiving zone; and 
   a bagging film to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.   
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sealant to seal the bagging film to the mandrel.   
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a sealing zone to receive the sealant.   
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an exit port for fluid connection to a vacuum source.   
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a choke zone to reduce the likelihood of the resin being drawn into the exit port.   
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a heater to heat the supply of resin, wherein heating the resin initially reduces a viscosity of the supply of resin and wherein further heating increases the viscosity of the supply of resin.   
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the heater is an oven. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the heater is an autoclave. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the heater is an electric device in thermal contact with the mandrel. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a vacuum generator to generate a pressure differential across the bagging film, wherein the pressure differential provides a compressive force to urge the resin into the preform.   
   
   
       20 - 25 . (canceled)