Disclosed is a collapsible heated elastomeric bladder tool for repairing damage to composite structures. The elastomeric bladder tool can be used to repair composite structures in difficult to reach areas, such as under stringers used to stiffen large structures. The elastomeric bladder tool can be inserted into the damaged cavity such as a stringer to support uncured plies during the repair on either surface of the cavity. Integrated heating elements within the elastomeric bladder tool provide heat to cure the plies. The elastomeric bladder tool features a collapsed cross section that facilitates installation and extraction.

A repair tool for applying a coating patch includes a heating element, a flexible bladder disposed adjacent the heating element, and an inflexible shell disposed about the flexible bladder. The inflexible shell defines a negative space corresponding to a plurality of sides of an aircraft component. A controller is communicatively coupled to the heating element and the bladder, and is configured to control a temperature of the heating element and a pressure of the flexible bladder.

A repair tool for applying a coating patch includes a heating element, a flexible bladder disposed adjacent the heating element, and an inflexible shell disposed about the flexible bladder. The inflexible shell defines a negative space corresponding to a plurality of sides of an aircraft component. A controller is communicatively coupled to the heating element and the bladder, and is configured to control a temperature of the heating element and a pressure of the flexible bladder.

A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

The present disclosure relates to a method of repairing a damaged portion of a perforated skin of a panel using a doubler made of composite material which is designed to be applied to the damaged portion of the perforated skin. The method includes at least one step in which a sealing film is applied to the damaged portion of the perforated skin in order to temporarily seal the perforations in the skin, and a step in which the doubler is produced over the previously deposited sealing film.

The present disclosure relates to a method of repairing a damaged portion of a perforated skin of a panel using a doubler made of composite material which is designed to be applied to the damaged portion of the perforated skin. The method includes at least one step in which a sealing film is applied to the damaged portion of the perforated skin in order to temporarily seal the perforations in the skin, and a step in which the doubler is produced over the previously deposited sealing film.

An inverted double dome double vacuum debulk tool having separable upper and lower chamber portions which can be assembled to form a vacuum chamber. In accordance with some embodiments, the top and bottom halves each comprise a circular cylindrical sidewall closed at one end by an inverted dome. The domes may be hemispherical or semi-elliptical with convex sides facing the chamber interior space. A base plate on which the composite patch rests is removable from the vacuum chamber. Various fittings pass electrical power and vacuum into the tool and sensor outputs out of the tool.

A system for curing polymer matrix composite parts out of autoclave in manufacturing and repairing processes including: (i) an inner vacuum bag (3) placed over the lay-up to be cured located over a working area (15, 18) with the edges of the inner vacuum bag (3) joined to the working area by first sealing elements (8); (ii) a Perforated bulkhead (4) located over the inner vacuum bag (3), (iii) an Outer vacuum bag (2) over a perforated bulkhead (4) and over the edges of the inner vacuum bag with the edges of the outer vacuum bag (2) joined to the working area (15, 18) by second sealing elements (1), (iv) a vacuum device (5, 7, 6) and (v) a heating source (9, 20).

A system for curing polymer matrix composite parts out of autoclave in manufacturing and repairing processes including: (i) an inner vacuum bag (3) placed over the lay-up to be cured located over a working area (15, 18) with the edges of the inner vacuum bag (3) joined to the working area by first sealing elements (8); (ii) a Perforated bulkhead (4) located over the inner vacuum bag (3), (iii) an Outer vacuum bag (2) over a perforated bulkhead (4) and over the edges of the inner vacuum bag with the edges of the outer vacuum bag (2) joined to the working area (15, 18) by second sealing elements (1), (iv) a vacuum device (5, 7, 6) and (v) a heating source (9, 20).