Amazon patents tool to smooth curved carbon fiber parts
Amazon has patented a jig that helps create smooth, curved carbon fiber components. The device uses a mold, a flat plate, and a compression mechanism to press the material evenly while it hardens, preventing wrinkles.
In the filing’s own words
Described are apparatuses, assemblies, and processes to create a carbon fiber part with a smooth convex surface using an interior mold. An uncured part may be formed by wrapping fiber and resin around a mandrel (interior mold). One or more caul plate and optional shims may be placed over the uncured part in alignment with features that correspond between the caul plate(s) and the mandrel. The assembly may be enclosed in a vacuum bag and consolidated. The assembly may be placed on a jig base. A compression member may be coupled to the jig base to contain the assembly therebetween. The compression member may exert a force onto the caul plate to compress the uncured part against the mandrel during a curing process, thereby creating a smooth surface finish of the resulting cured part that is free from substantial undesirable warping or wrinkles about the surface.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An apparatus, comprising: a mandrel configured to receive prepreg wrapped around the mandrel to form a part, the mandrel having a first surface with a curved surface feature; a caul plate including a profile that is substantially similar to at least a portion of the first surface, the caul plate configured to be removably coupled over the prepreg proximate to the first surface; a jig base to securely receive at least the mandrel and caul plate; a compression member coupled to the jig base to contain the caul plate and the mandrel therebetween and to apply a force against the caul plate and toward the mandrel; and a pair of biasing members that include a restraining feature to securely couple the compression member in a secure position, the pair of biasing members configured to deflect away from one another during insertion of the compression member toward the jig base until a surface of the compression member aligns with the restraining feature of the pair of biasing members at the secure position thereby restraining the compression member in the secure position with the restraining feature.
Facts
- Company
- Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
- Official title
- Autoclave curing jig
- Patent number
- US12741432B1
- Application number
- 18753328
- Filed
- Jun 25, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
B29C 70/549 Operations & transportB29C 70/44 Operations & transportB29L 2031/3076 Operations & transportSummaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.