Detection, Monitoring, and Management of Gas Presence, Gas Flow and Gas Leaks in Composites Manufacturing

Abstract

Porosity causing gas-based defects are detected, located, identified, and/or characterized by the use of defect information generated from gas flow data corresponding to gas flow characteristics measured by one or more sensors on a composite part processing piece such as a mould or membrane used during a composite manufacturing process. The defect information is generated using techniques including one or more of profiling the gas flow data, fingerprinting, line leak detection, analytical triangulation.

Claims

1. A process for identifying a porosity causing gas defect during manufacturing a composite part, wherein during said process said part is engaged by a vacuum bag or mould, wherein said gas based defect includes one or more defects from the group comprising: a) previously entrapped gas entrapped between said part and said vacuum bag or mould, b) gas generated during a process cycle of said manufacturing of said part due to moisture off-gassing or volatile evolution due to the chemical changes in said part during a curing of said part, c) at least one gas leak, and wherein, a plurality of gas conduits are provided, said plurality of gas conduits cooperating in fluid communication with said vacuum bag or mould for flow of gas through said vacuum bag or mould and said plurality of gas conduits, and wherein said vacuum bag or mould is mounted so as to engage the part, and wherein a plurality of sensors are mounted in cooperation with said plurality of gas conduits, and wherein, said plurality of sensors, are mounted in an optimized location relative to said vacuum bag or mould so as to account for a geometry of said part, and wherein said sensors are in fluid communication with a volume between the part and said vacuum bag or mould, and wherein said plurality of sensors are adapted to detect and measure at least one characteristic of a gas flow as a result of said gas-based defect, wherein said at least one characteristic of said gas flow includes one or more characteristics from the group consisting of: mass flow rate, temperature, pressure, moisture content, the process comprising: d) evacuating said volume or during said vacuum process, e) detecting and measuring said at least one characteristic of said gas flow by said plurality of sensors during said evacuating of said volume, f) generating gas flow data corresponding to said detecting and measuring of said at least one characteristic of said gas flow, g) computing defect information corresponding to said gas based defect from said gas flow data, wherein said process includes providing said plurality of gas conduits spaced apart and mounted on, in fluid communication through, said vacuum bag or mould, and wherein said process further includes optimizing placement of said plurality of sensors relative to said part, and addition of further sensors of said plurality of sensors on areas of said part corresponding to increased likelihood of said gas based defects, according to the geometry of the part.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said defect information includes predicted leak locations.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said defect information includes a predicted leak type.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said fingerprinting includes recording said gas flow data and creating and maintaining a historical record of said gas flow data.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein said computing defect information includes determining leak locations correlated to a physical specification of said part for each unique said part.

6. The process of claim 4 wherein said computing includes computational fingerprinting.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein said computational fingerprinting includes, by use of a computer, creating a grid of virtual gas based defect locations employing a geometry of said part and locations of said sensors relative to said part, and for each said location calculating at least said gas flow rate profile for a predetermined flow rate of said gas leak to provide predicted said defect information and, using said computer, comparing to said historical records and determining a closest match and thereby a corresponding predicted gas based defect location.

8. The process of claim 4 wherein said fingerprinting includes test-based fingerprinting.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein said test based fingerprinting includes, by use of a computer, creating a grid of representative gas based defect locations employing a geometry of said part and locations of said sensors relative to said part, and for each said gas based defect creating a measurable said gas based defect and recording corresponding said gas flow data for each said defect to provide said historical record of said defect information for said part, and, using said computer, comparing said gas flow data and said defect information of said detected and measured at least one characteristic of said gas flow to said historical record for said part to determine a closest match and thereby a corresponding predicted gas based defect.

10. The process of claim 1 further comprising relaying feedback so as to include displaying said defect information to a user while the user is inspecting said part and said mould or membrane, and wherein said defect information includes a predicted location computed for said at least one gas based defect.

11. The process of claim 5 wherein said determining includes recording said gas flow rate profile as part of said historical record for said each unique part.

12. The process of claim 11 wherein said process is said vacuum process and includes recording said gas evacuation profile as part of said historical record for said each unique part.

13. The process of claim 1 wherein, when said plurality of sensors are in substantially a linear said array in correspondingly substantially linearly aligned locations, said line leak prediction includes fitting a curve to said gas flow data and said locations of said plurality of sensors, determining peaks in said curve and correlating said peaks to predicted locations of said at least one gas leak.

14. The process of claim 1 wherein said computing defect information includes analytical triangulation so as to determine combinations of pairs of sensors of said plurality of sensors by employing a geometry of said part and locations of said sensors relative to said part, and for each said pair of sensors determine corresponding triangle apexes for all triangles from each said pair of sensors wherein, for each said pair of sensors, a base leg of said triangle extends to and between said pair of sensors, and a remaining two legs of said triangle define an apex therebetween at the intersection thereof, and wherein said remaining two legs have first and second lengths respectively in proportion to corresponding first and second said gas flow rates at said pair of sensors respectively so as to determine for each said pair of sensors a corresponding set of said triangle apex's to thereby provide a corresponding apex set for said pair of sensors, for each said apex set determine either: a) a point of intersection between said apex sets, b) where there is no said point of intersection, a mid-point of a line joining points closest to one another between all of said apexes to provide possible leak locations.

15. The process of claim 14 further comprising computing the average of said possible leak locations to thereby predict a single leak location.

16. The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor includes at least one sensor from the group consisting of: mass flow sensors, radial flow direction sensors, pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity or moisture sensors, spectroscopic sensors.

17. The process of claim 16 wherein said process includes mounting said at least one sensor to a corresponding said at least one gas conduit.

18. The process of claim 16 wherein said at least one sensor includes at least mass flow sensors, pressure sensors and differential pressure sensors.

19. The process of claim 16 further comprising providing a sensor package and wherein said sensor package includes at least two of said at least one sensors within said package.

20. The process of claim 18 further comprising providing a sensor package and wherein said sensor package includes said mass flow sensors, said pressure sensors and said differential pressure sensors within said package.

21. The process of claim 17 wherein at least one of said at least one sensor is mounted in said volume.

22. The process of claim 21 further comprising providing breather material in said volume between said part and said vacuum bag or mould, wherein said breather material has substantially uniform permeability.

23. The process of claim 17 further comprising providing a flow bypass cooperating with at least one of said sensors to reduce a pressure drop across at least one of said sensors.

24. The process of claim 16 wherein said at least one sensor is mounted on or in at least one of the group comprising: said at least one gas conduits, gas ports, a gas breather, a mat having sensor flow passages, a manifold, a mould or tool.

25. The process of claim 23 wherein providing said bypass includes providing a bypass having a resilient flexible bypass valve member.

26. The process of claim 25 wherein said bypass valve member includes a reed means.

27. The process of claim 26 wherein said reed means is biased between open and closed positions, according to a pre-determined pressure threshold, by a gas pressure of said gas flow.

28. The process of claim 27 wherein said pressure threshold is a differential pressure threshold of a differential pressure across an associated sensor of said sensors.

29. The process of claim 27 wherein said bypass reed means is maintained in said closed position by a magnetic field.

31. The process of claim 30 wherein said biasing of said at least first and at least second of said conduits into said open-to-gas flow and said closed-to-gas flow conditions respectively is cycled through all of said gas conduits in a pattern of opening and closing of said gas conduits to said gas flow, wherein said pattern provides said opening and closing in substantially all permutations as between substantially all combinations of said opening and closing of said gas conduits.

32. The process of claim 31 wherein said pattern is predetermined.

33. The process of claim 1 wherein said plurality of gas conduits are located on said mould or membrane according to sensitivity information derived from said defect information, whereby a required number of said sensors is minimized, and sensitivity to said gas-based defects is maximized.

34. The process of claim 1 further comprising a flow bypass mounted in fluid communication with said at least one gas conduit, and separate from, so as to not be mounted to said at least one sensor.

35. The process of claim 26 wherein said reed means includes a curved reed, and wherein said curved reed is curved so as to elastically pre-load said reed when in said closed position.

36. The process of claim 29 wherein said reed means includes a curved reed, and wherein said curved reed is curved so as to elastically pre-load said reed when in said closed position.

37. The process of claim 17 wherein said gas flow sensors are adapted to measure said flow of gas both into and out of said volume.

38. The process of claim 16 wherein said at least one gas conduit includes a corresponding at least one inlet and/or outlet filter.

39. The process of claim 1 wherein during said leak detection said gas is other than air.

40. The process of claim 39 wherein said gas that is other than air is CO.sub.2.

41. The process of claim 39 wherein said gas is dry N.sub.2, and wherein said at least one sensor includes a moisture sensor so that said at least one characteristic of said gas flow includes moisture content.

42. The process of claim 1 further comprising providing a second vacuum system independent of said at least one gas conduit for said vacuum process, said second vacuum system mounted in a second, independent, fluid communication with said vacuum bag or mould, and further comprising the step of locally changing a pressure in said vacuum bag or mould so as to change a flow rate of said flow of gas through said at least one gas conduit and so as to said change said flow rate of said flow of gas interacting with said at least one sensor.

43. The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one gas conduit has a corresponding unique identifier for each conduit in said at least one gas conduit so as to correlate said gas flow data with said corresponding unique identifier.

44. The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one gas conduit has a corresponding at least one port, and wherein each port of said at least one port has a corresponding unique identifier so as to correlate said gas flow data with said corresponding unique identifier.

45. The process of claim 43 wherein said unique identifier identifies a unique location and is chosen from the group which includes: barcode, radio-frequency identification.

46. The process of claim 44 wherein said unique identifier identifies a unique location and is chosen from the group which includes: barcode, radio-frequency identification.

47. The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one gas conduit is adapted to carry power and/or data.

48. The process of claim 1 wherein said feedback, at least in part, is based on a spatial relationship between a user receiving said feedback and said mould or membrane.

49. The process of claim 17 wherein said spectroscopic sensors provide spectroscopic data for spectrographic analysis chosen from the group comprising: fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy.

50. The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one characteristic of said gas flow includes one or more characteristics from the group which further includes: a chemical content of at least one selectively detectable chemical, spectroscopically detectable content.

51. For use in the process of claim 1, at least one sensor from the group comprising: mass flow sensors, radial flow direction sensors, pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity or moisture sensors, spectroscopic sensors.

52. The sensor of claim 51 wherein said at least one sensor includes at least mass flow sensors, pressure sensors and differential pressure sensors.

53. The sensor of claim 52 further comprising providing a sensor package and wherein said sensor package includes at least two of said at least one sensors within said package.

54. The sensor of claim 52 further comprising providing a sensor package and wherein said sensor package includes said mass flow sensors, said pressure sensors and said differential pressure sensors within said package.

55. For use in the process of claim 1, a sensor flow bypass mounted in fluid communication with said at least one conduit, and separate from, so as to not be mounted to said at least one sensor.

56. The bypass of claim 55 wherein said bypass includes a reed means which is curved so as to elastically pre-load when in a closed position.

57. The sensor of claim 51 wherein said gas flow sensors are adapted to measure said flow of gas both into and out of said volume.

58. A method of identifying a porosity-causing gas-based defect in a composite part, wherein said gas based defect includes one or more defects from the group comprising: a) previously entrapped gas entrapped in the part or in a volume between said part and a vacuum bag or mould engaging said part, b) gas generated during a process cycle of said manufacturing of said part due to moisture off-gassing or volatile evolution due to the chemical changes in said part during a curing of said part, c) at least one gas leak, and wherein, said vacuum bag or mould and a gas conduit are provided, said gas conduit cooperating in fluid communication with said vacuum bag or mould for flow of gas therethrough and wherein at least one sensor is mounted in cooperation with said vacuum bag or mould so as to be in fluid communication with said volume, and wherein said at least one sensor is adapted to detect and measure at least one characteristic of a gas flow through said volume and said conduit as a result of said gas-based defect, wherein said at least one characteristic of said gas flow includes one or more characteristics from the group consisting of: mass flow rate, temperature, pressure, moisture content, the process comprising: d) evacuating said volume, e) detecting and measuring said at least one characteristic of said gas flow by said at least one sensor during said evacuating of said volume, f) generating gas flow data corresponding to said detecting and measuring of said at least one characteristic of said gas flow, g) computing defect information corresponding to at least said gas based defect from said gas flow data by a method chosen from the group consisting of: i. recording said gas flow data and creating and maintaining a historical record of said gas flow data, and correlating said gas flow data to said historical record, ii. recording said gas flow data to form a historical record and, by use of a computer, creating a grid of virtual gas based defect locations employing a geometry of said part and the location of said at least one sensor relative to said part, and calculating at least said gas flow rate profile to provide predicted said defect information and, using said computer, comparing to said historical record and determining a closest match, iii. recording said gas flow data to form a historical record and, by use of a computer, creating a grid of representative gas based defects employing a geometry of said part and the location of said at least one sensor relative to said part, and for each said gas based defect creating and recording corresponding said gas flow data for each said location to provide said historical record of said defect information for said part, and, using said computer, comparing said gas flow data and said defect information of said detected and measured at least one characteristic of said gas flow to said historical record for said part to determine a closest match,

59. The process of claim 58 wherein said defect information includes predicted leak locations of said at least one gas leak.

60. The process of claim 58 wherein said defect information includes a predicted leak type.

61. The process of claim 58 wherein said computing defect information includes determining leak locations correlated to a physical specification of said part for each unique said part.

62. The process of claim 58 wherein said computing defect information includes determining a corresponding predicted gas leak location.

63. The process of claim 101 wherein said computing defect information includes recording said gas flow rate profile as part of said historical record for said each unique part.

64. The process of claim 101 wherein said process is said vacuum process and wherein said computing defect information includes recording said gas evacuation profile as part of said historical record for said each unique part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] In the accompanying Figures like reference numerals denote corresponding parts in each view, and wherein:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of void generation and dissipation.

[0058] FIG. 1a is, in perspective view, an aircraft wing being manufactured by the composite manufacturing process.

[0059] FIG. 1b is the schematic of FIG. 1 showing the use of a secondary vacuum system.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a basic embodiment of a gas response measurement system.

[0061] FIG. 2a is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system used in conjunction with the system of FIG. 2.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a sensor package.

[0063] FIG. 3a is a block diagram of another embodiment of a sensor package.

[0064] FIG. 4 is, in perspective view, one embodiment of a smart manifold.

[0065] FIG. 5 illustrates the creation of a small pin hole leak on a simulated bag on a test bed.

[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates the immediate response from flow sensors (with bypass) during the evacuation of the test arrangement of FIG. 5.

[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates the indication from the flow sensors that the simulated bag of FIG. 5 is fully evacuated and no leaks are present.

[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates that the leak created in FIG. 5 is immediately sensed by the flow sensors.

[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates the prediction of the leak location in FIG. 5.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a graph of the effect of flow bypass on part pressure profile and speed of evacuation.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a graph of the effect of flow bypass on part pressure profile showing that without bypass the part pressure remains high in the presence of a large leak.

[0072] FIG. 12 is, in a cross sectional view, a schematic of a bypass having a reed valve.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a high temperature (and optionally high pressure) sensor package.

[0074] FIG. 14 is, in perspective view, an example of the use of a sensor package on an insert such as a bladder.

[0075] FIG. 15 is an example of the use of under-bag flow sensors.

[0076] FIG. 15a is an example of a vacuum port probe with directional radial flow sensors.

[0077] FIG. 16 is an example of sensors installed within the moulds or tooling.

[0078] FIG. 17 is a high level schematic of system operation illustrating software flow.

[0079] FIG. 18a is a schematic of system operation illustrating signal/data monitoring.

[0080] FIG. 18b is a schematic of system operation illustrating leak localization.

[0081] FIG. 19 is a schematic of system operation illustrating trend analysis and fingerprinting.

[0082] FIG. 20 is a schematic of system operation illustrating real time process simulation.

[0083] FIG. 21 is a schematic of system operation illustrating process control.

[0084] FIG. 22 is a schematic of system operation illustrating system architecture.

[0085] FIG. 23 is a schematic of computational fingerprinting.

[0086] FIG. 24 is a schematic of line leak prediction.

[0087] FIG. 25 is a schematic of analytical triangulation.

[0088] FIG. 26 is a schematic of test-based fingerprinting.

[0089] FIG. 27 is a schematic of leak identification optimization.

[0090] FIG. 28 is a schematic of leak fingerprint database optimization.

[0091] FIG. 29 is a schematic of vacuum line and flow sensor location optimization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0092] A schematic representation of void generation and dissipation is shown in FIG. 1. A vacuum bag or member 10 overlays a breather layer 12, which overlaps a release film 14. Release film 14 overlaps layers of pre-preg 16 which have been laid-up on tool or mould 18, As used herein, the term pre-preg refers to pre-impregnated composite fibres where a pre-cured or partially cured matrix bonding material, such as epoxy, is already present. These usually take the form of a weave or are uni-directional. Gas filled voids may be formed within pre-preg 16, caused by for example entrapped air 20a, volatiles or off-gasing 20b, or leaks 20c in bag 10, tool or mould 18, etc, Gas transport may be co-planar within or interleaved between the various layers as shown by arrows A, or may be orthogonal to the layers as shown by arrows B. Collectively the gas migrates to the vacuum source, indicated in FIG. 1 by arrow C leading to vacuum pump 22. Arrows D indicate void shrinkage or collapse.

[0093] FIG. 1a illustrates a worker 24 standing by a larger part 26; illustrated by way of example to be an aircraft wing, which is being formed by the composites manufacturing methods to which this specification is directed. Thus it will be understood that the parts 26 being formed may be very large and consequently have very large surface areas.

[0094] A diagrammatic layout of a basic embodiment of the hardware system according to aspects of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Each sensor package 28 is connected to a vacuum line or hose 30, for example is mounted in-line with a line or hose 30. Sensor package 28 may have a variety of individual sensors inside; for example: mass flow sensors, absolute pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, valve position sensors, chemical sensors, or spectroscopic sensors such as fourier transform infrared spectroscopic sensors or near-infrared spectroscopic sensors. Vacuum hoses 30 are connected to vacuum pumps 22.

[0095] As seen in FIG. 1b, in a further embodiment, a second vacuum system is provided which is independent of the gas conduits used for the primary vacuum process. The second vacuum system is mounted in a second, independent, fluid communication with the membrane 10a. The second vacuum system is used to locally reduce or increase, that is, to change the pressure in said membrane 10a so as to change the flow rate of the flow of gas through the gas conduits 30 for the primary vacuum process and thus so as to change the flow rate of the flow of gas interacting with the sensor. Thus, secondary membrane 10a is mounted locally over vacuum bag 10 and independently evacuated via secondary hose 30a by secondary vacuum pump 22a. Gas such as air between membrane 10 and 10a flows in direction E in the case where the pressure between membrane 10 and 10a is reduced to affect the rate of flow in direction C through hose 30.

[0096] As seen in FIG. 2a, each sensor package 28 communicates, via wired or wireless transmission, singly or as a group, with a back-end database 32 that stores all the information from the sensors. Two examples of sensor packages 28 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. Back-end database 32 is seen in FIG. 2a interrogated by one or more front-end applications for real-time information during the manufacturing process as well as for historical and data mining information, as hereinafter described, after a given part 26 is made. The front-end application can run on the same computer as the back end application and/or a front end computer 34 or multiple other computers. The front end application and the back end application may be separate applications, a single combined application, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, a roamer mobile computer 36 or other portable data processing device may be carried by one or more workers so that the worker(s) receive feedback or provide input to or to control the system as they work their way around a part 26 looking for leaks. Such a device may be a wireless device including but not limited to a cell phone, tablet, mobile computer, etc. to display data such as values, plots, diagrams, images sent by the system, to provide input to the system, and to control the behaviour of the system start/stop of data collection, to change system operating parameters, etc. The amount of interactivity between the system and the wireless device varies with the capability of both the device and the system.

[0097] Although the illustration in FIG. 2 shows the schematics with sensor packages 28 only on the vacuum hoses 30 and/or ports, sensor packages 28 may also be mounted in the breather 12, such as by means of a breather mat that has multiple passages, wherein flow sensors may be mounted in the passages. The mat is placed between the part and vacuum ports providing under-bag flow sensing. Alternatively, sensor package(s) 28 may be part of the tool or mould (so-called smart tooling), so that manifold style vacuum lines may be set up, or may be part of a smart manifold such as seen by way of example in FIG. 4. Smart tooling allows the moulds or tooling 18 to have multiple vacuum port locations while vacuum is pulled from one location. Furthermore, in parts with internal cavities or volumes such as bladders, the sensors packages may measure gas transport into these cavities.

[0098] As seen in FIG. 4, smart manifold 29 includes a housing 29a which may be compartmentalized pr modular for having sensor packages 18 associated with each flow inlet 29b. Hose 30 connect to inlets 29b. The sensor packages 28 may include inlet filters 29c and outlet filters 29d (seen in FIG. 3), sensors such as described herein below, including for example flow sensors, pressure sensors, etc., and may also advantageously include bypass valves as described below, data acquisition modules, communication modules and a battery or batteries to provide power to the modules. Flow from inlets 29c exits from one or more flow outlets 29e.

[0099] The location of one or more leaks may be identified by triangulating measured flow rates from different vacuum lines 30. This works very well for many geometries but in very complex shapes this is more difficult, and therefore the simple triangulation may be augmented by fingerprinting and learning methods, discussed below, where the system is trained for a particular part, including the bagging and other relevant details. As described below, this learning may be empirical (by introducing known leaks), analytical (by doing computer simulations) or a combination.

[0100] To provide additional leak localization capability, the positioning of the vacuum lines 30 may be optimized for this purpose, by placing strategically placed vacuum lines 30 with sensor packages 28 to identify leak locations more accurately. Given that often the leak problem is due to hoses and fittings, multiple sensor packages 28 may also be placed along a vacuum path, from part 26 to vacuum pump 22. In a system with multiple vacuum lines 30 equipped with sensor packages 28, vacuum lines 30 may be switched on or off individually or in groups, and the sensor data analyzed for patterns assisting in characterizing or localizing leaks.

[0101] An example of leak localization is described below using the test arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein a simulated vacuum bag 10 was sealed down onto a test bench (not shown). Vacuum hoses 30 were coupled to the four corners of the simulated vacuum bag 10 and a vacuum was applied to hoses 30. As seen in FIG. 6 the mass flow rate for each of the four hoses 30 was monitored and plotted as the volume between the simulated vacuum bag 10 and the test bench was evacuated. The flow-rate over time plot of FIG. 7 confirmed that there were no leaks, as the mass flow rate fell to zero and remained at zero. A pin hole was then made in the simulated vacuum bag 10 so as to create a pinhole leak 38 of approximately two inches of mercury pressure drop per minute. As seen in FIG. 8, pinhole leak 38 was immediately sensed by the flow sensors on each of the four hoses 30, with flow being indicated from all four vacuum lines 30 commencing at substantially the same time. FIG. 9 shows the results of the software (discussed below) predicting that the location of leak 38 was within area 38a. As may be seen, the predicted location of the leak was very close to the known location of the actual leak 38. With sufficient sensor packages 28 and vacuum lines 30, multiple simultaneous leaks may be identified and located.

[0102] In the leak detection method, in one embodiment the gas is other than air so as to perturb the gas flow data. For example the gas may be CO.sub.2 or dry N.sub.2. In the latter, the sensor(s) would include a moisture sensor.

[0103] The sensor packages 28 are unique as compared to the prior art of which applicant is aware in a number of ways:

[0104] With regard to the use of inline mass flow sensors 40, appropriately selected and calibrated mass flow sensors 40 may be accurately used in a quantitative manner at the low absolute pressures (high vacuums) and high temperatures typically used in composites manufacturing. This is particularly true for composite manufacturing processes other than vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM).

[0105] It is advantageous to include not only mass flow sensors 4Q, pressure sensors 42 and, optionally, temperature sensors 44, but also differential pressure sensors 46 to know how much resistance the sensor package 28 is introducing into the vacuum system. Block diagrams of two such sensor packages 28 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. The use of a differential pressure sensor 46 ensures that the mere presence of the sensor package 28 does not harm the part.

[0106] The gas flow characteristics measured by sensor packages 28 are used to generate the gas flow data, such as the shape of the curve or profile of the gas flow vs. time, or pressure vs. time, etc. graphs as seen for example in FIGS. 8 and 10 respectively. The profiles are fingerprints of a particular part 26 and can be used to identify, characterize, and rank the response of a given part 26, even before the part has been completely evacuated. Other data manipulation, including the integration of the gas flow history (with appropriate zeroing and base lining), may provide invaluable insight into the performance of the part during manufacturing.

[0107] Defect information may be used to identify not only gas based defects and leaks, but also features such as bag bridging, misalignment of moulds or tooling, caul plates, and other features, as well as excessive gaps and other unacceptable features.

[0108] Inline mass flow sensors 40 constrict the flow significantly, and therefore may create unacceptable pressure drops across the sensor at high flow rates. This has two distinct disadvantages: (a) longer evacuation times as illustrated in FIG. 10, and (b) unacceptable pressure increase across the sensor in the case of a leak as illustrated in FIG. 11. Therefore, a bypass which includes a bypass valve 48 such as seen in FIG. 12 may be advantageously employed in certain embodiments of sensor package 28. At high gas flow rates, the bypass valve 48 opens, and the pressure drop across the sensor package is acceptably small as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. Gas flow rates may still be measured by careful calibration and use of both the gas flow rate measurement and the differential pressure loss across the sensor package. At low gas flow rates the bypass valve 48 closes, and all of the gas flows through the gas mass flow sensor 40.

[0109] One bypass embodiment such as seen in FIG. 12, and which is not intended to be limiting, may use one or more magnets 50 or other source(s) of a magnetic field to preload a reed 52, shown in the open position, that, when in its closed position, closes the bypass valve 48. In the illustrated embodiment bypass valve 48 has a housing or body 54 having an inlet 54a and an outlet 54b. A conduit 54c extends between the inlet and outlet. Conduit 54c has magnets 50 mounted at the upstream side of conduit 54c. Reed 52 and flexible stopper 56 overlay the downstream end of conduit 54c so as to close conduit 54c when valve 48 is closed. Stopper 56 and/or reed 52 are made of or contain material which is magnetically attracted to magnets 50, so that when stopper 56 and reed 52 are in their closed position overlaying conduit 54c so as to close off flow therethrough, a threshold pressure must be reached in inlet 54a to overcome the magnetic latching of stopper 56 and reed 52 over conduit 54c. Once the magnetic latch is overcome by the pressure in inlet 54a reaching the threshold pressure for the latch to open, flexible reed 52 and stopper 56 abruptly swing or bend to their open position illustrated, that is, a substantially fully open position thereby allowing gas flow through conduit 54c. Thus, once the pressure increases to a critical value due to too much flow, reed 52 releases from magnet 50 and jumps to its open position, quickly dropping the pressure and resistance significantly. This is useful in a situation where there is a high flow rate from a leak, so that the sensor package does not introduce harm to the part by keeping the part pressure high. Additionally, although bulkier, it may be desirable to have active bypass control using solenoid valves (not shown). Other forms of bypass or bypass valves would also work as would be known to one skilled in the art.

[0110] In the bypass design of FIG. 12, the reed valve is sized to achieve the desired opening and closing behaviour. The crisp opening and closing of reed 52 is determined by the magnetic field and strength of the magnets 50, and by the flexibility of the reed. An electro magnet may also be used to allow the reed valve's behaviour to be actively controlled. Optionally, the reed may be elastically loaded when in it's closed, no flow condition, so as to snap open once released. Flow sensors, pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and/or a valve position sensor may be usefully included. Stop 56 is optional, and is used to limit the deflection of reed 52, Reed 52 is advantageously of light weight construction so as to minimize variation in valve behaviour with orientation due to gravity, so that valve performance is independent of the spatial orientation of the sensor package. Optionally, the reed's free end may be curved, for example to assist in loading reed 52 elastically when in its closed position.

[0111] By combining an appropriately calibrated moisture sensor 58 in either the same sensor package 28 or in a coupled package, the water vapour mass flow rate may be calculated at the same time as the total gas mass flow rate. The history of the water vapour mass flow rate may be manipulated in the same manner as the manipulation of the total gas mass flow rate discussed above. The combined analysis of total and water vapour mass flow rate may be used in decision making as described in the system level descriptions below. Instead of moisture sensors 58, other chemical sensors, typically micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) based, may also be used in similar fashion, providing additional data interpretation opportunities.

[0112] A high temperature, high pressure resistant sensor package 28 such as seen in FIG. 13 may be employed so that the measurements may be made during the manufacturing cycle, and not just during the bagging/preparation phase. The sensor packages 28 can be placed either outside the oven or autoclave, and thus see lower temperatures and/or pressure, or if suitably hardened, as for example in the embodiment of sensor package 28, may be placed inside the oven or autoclave, directly off the part 26, allowing for maximum accuracy and fidelity of information. One option is to insulate the signal conditioning from thermal effect by placing the signal conditioning outside the oven or autoclave. Another option is to use high temperature electronics.

[0113] In a moisture/gas flow design, a resistance or capacitance based humidity sensor may be mounted in line with the flow sensor.

[0114] In the high temperature (and optionally high pressure) sensor package 28 of FIG. 13, sensors are protected from high pressure by being placed inside a sealed unit, and/or are partially protected from high temperature by being placed inside an insulated unit 60. Electronics may be similarly protected, if necessary, from pressure and temperature.

[0115] As seen in FIG. 14, sensor packages 28 (shown in dotted outline), such as high temperature sensor packages 28; if placed within the oven or autoclave during cure may be attached directly to inserts such as bladders 62. A mass flow sensor 40, and its associated wiring 40a, is shown mounted in-line on tubing 64. Tubing 64 is sized to assist in providing laminar flow. Tubing 64 is mounted to port 62a on bladder 62.

[0116] As seen in FIG. 15, individual flow sensors in the form of local flow sensors 72b mounted on flow belts 72 may be placed under the vacuum bag 10 (or inside the closed cavity as the case may be) to identify source and direction of gas flow. Thus as may be seen, bagging material 10 overlays a part 66 on tool or mould 18 and is sealed to tool or mould 18 by a bead of sealant 68, Vacuum is applied via vacuum hoses 30 attached to vacuum ports 70. A breather 12 and flow belts 72 are interleaved between bagging material 10 and tool or mould 18. Wiring 72a extends from flow belts 72 through bagging material 10.

[0117] As seen in FIG. 15a, another option is to integrate flow sensors 40 with the vacuum port 70. Thus, directional radial flow sensors 40b, which may identify the direction from which the gas flow originates, are mounted into a vacuum port housing 70a, A vacuum port chuck 70b mounts onto housing 70a so as to support a vacuum hose 30 mounted thereon and so as to seal bagging material 10 therebetween.

[0118] Flow sensors 40 mounted in sensor packages 28, may as seen in FIG. 16 be installed directly on, or within, the tool or mould 18 for ease of use. Thus as may be seen, again bagging material 10 overlays a part 66 on tool or mould 18 and is sealed to tool or mould 18 by a bead of sealant 68. Vacuum ports 18a are formed in tool or mould 18. Sensor packages 28 are mounted in fluid communication with vacuum ports 18a. A manifold 74 is mounted to sensor packages 28 so as to connect sensor packages 28 and vacuum ports 18a with vacuum line 30.

Software

[0119] By way of overview, one example, which is not intended to be limiting, of a high level system level software flow is shown schematically in FIG. 17, signal/data monitoring and leak localization is shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b respectively, trend analysis and fingerprinting in FIG. 19, real time process simulation (of particular value when the system is used during the cure process with elevated temperature and pressure) in FIG. 20, and process control (where the process can be modified to minimize the effect of any leak or other deviation from the normal manufacturing process) in FIG. 21. The system architecture is shown in greater schematic detail in FIG. 22.

[0120] In FIG. 17, system level software flow 300 includes, in order of operation, secure login 302 which provides access to main menu 304. Main menu 304 provides access to system configuration 306, historical activities 308, or new activity 310. Historical activities 308 gives access to historical data actions 312 which itself provides for reporting 314 or data export 316. New activity 310 gives access to activity configuration 318, which gives access to activities 320. Activities 320 gives access to signal or data monitoring 322, leak localization 324, trend analysis or fingerprinting 326, real-time process simulation 328, or process control 330.

[0121] As seen in FIG. 18a, the signal/data monitoring 322 may include live and historical sensor data 402 to provide feedback 404 which may include plots, maps, schematics, images, sound, haptics, etc. These are used in the determining step 406 to interrogate, analyze, probe, interact, cross-plot, etcetera, the data from step 404.

[0122] The feedback as described throughout this specification may, at least in part, be based on, or correspond to, the spatial relationship between the user/worker/inspector/receiving the feedback and the membrane or mould as the case may be.

[0123] As seen in FIG. 18b, leak localization 324 may include using live flow and pressure data 408, and the geometry and sensor location information 410 to predict in step 412 the locations of one or more leaks in one or more dimensions. Feedback is provided in step 414 using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etcetera or any combinations thereof to show the predicted leak locations.

[0124] As seen in FIG. 19, trend analysis and finger printing 326 may include live (that is, real-time) flow, pressure, etc. data 502, geometry and sensor location data 504, and historical data 506 from similar activities. The data is analyzed in step 508 to combine historical data and live data to develop trends and fingerprints for classes of analyses, such as finite element analysis. Feedback is provided in step 510 of live data, historical envelopes, trends, fingerprints, etc. using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc. or any combination thereof.

[0125] As seen in FIG. 20, real-time process simulation 328 may include live temperature, pressure, etc. data 602, geometry and sensor location data 604, and/or material data files 606. The data is analyzed in step 608 to automatically predict material property evolution, for example the evolution of the degree of cure, viscosity, etc. Feedback is provided in step 610 of live data, predicted material properties using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc. or any combinations thereof to show the evolution of the material properties.

[0126] As seen in FIG. 21, process control 330 may include live flow, pressure, temperature, etc. data 702, geometry and sensor location data 704, process control parameters 706 and real time process simulation 328 so as to provide automated control of actuators and other process control devices in step 708 based on measurement devices, trend analyses and process simulation. Feedback is provided in step 710 of the process control state, actuator status, process control values, etc. using schematics, tables, sounds, images, animations, projections, haptics, etc. or any combinations thereof.

[0127] As seen in FIG. 22, system architecture 800 includes back end 802. Back end 802 includes back end database 32. Back end database 32 communicates via appropriate communications protocols as would be known by one skilled in the art, with a dispatcher or multiple dispatchers 804 and with multiple front ends 806, Front ends 806 may include front ends 34 or 36 illustrated in FIG. 2a. Dispatchers 804 communicate with electronic packages 808 which receive data from sensor packages 810, which may include sensor packages 28.

[0128] The system level architecture described may include: [0129] 1) Use of flow and other data from multiple sensor packages, dimensions, and materials to predict the location of a leak. [0130] 2) Instantaneous feedback to the users of the system, using static and roaming devices and computers including visual, audio, tactile, or other sensory feedback, and may also include: [0131] a. the ability of the users to add comments to the system indicating what they are doing, [0132] b. the ability of the system to interface with other data acquisition and control systems performing other factory tasks (e.g. autoclave or oven controller). [0133] 3. Prediction of the type of leak(s) based on the flow behavior or signature, for example, in the bagging material, in the tool or moulds, in the mould or tool seal(s), in the bladder, etc. [0134] 4. Use of accumulated data from previously tested parts that allow the integrated and otherwise reduced data from a range of sensor packages to be used to characterize the evacuation behaviour of a given part against the database, leading to correlations with quality, herein referred to as one form of fingerprinting.

[0135] As illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 23, computational fingerprinting 900 includes collecting geometry and sensor location data 902, and material information 904, and processing that information to create a grid of representative virtual leak locations in step 906. In step 908 for each virtual leak location the flow values are calculated at sensor locations for a known virtual leak rate using a computational method such as finite element analysis. In step 910 the flow value at the virtual leak and virtual sensors are calculated and stored as a fingerprint. At step 912, steps 908 and 910 are iterated in loop 914 until each leak location has been simulated. Once each leak location has been simulated, live flow data 916 is used in comparison step 918 to find the closest fingerprint that corresponds to the currently measured flow data collected in step 916, so as to identify the expected leak location by the matching of the live flow data to the closest corresponding fingerprint. Feedback is provided in step 920 using plots, maps, schematics, images, animation, projections, sounds, haptics, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0136] Line leak prediction 1000 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 24. Live flow data is collected in step 1002. Sensor location data is collected in step 1004. In step 1006 curves are fitted to the live flow data and sensor location data from steps 1002 and 1004 respectively. In step 1008 the peaks of the curves fitted in step 1006 are identified and used to predict leak locations, Feedback is provided in step 1010 using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0137] Analytical triangulation 1100 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 25. Analytical triangulation includes collecting live flow data in step 1102 and collecting geometry and sensor location data in step 1104. In step 1106 all possible pairs of sensors are determined from the data from step 1104. In step 1108, for each pair of sensors determined in step 1106, the apex of all possible triangles (so-called apex sets) are determined by setting the ratio of the sides of the triangles to be the same as the ratio of the measured flows from step 1102, In step 1110, for each pair of apex sets the point of intersection is determined, or where there is no intersection, the mid point of the line joining the points of closest approach is determined so as to indicate possible leak locations. In step 1112 the average of the possible leak locations determined in step 1110 is used to predict a single leak location. The error from the scatter of possible leak locations determined in step 1110 is estimated in step 1114. In step 1116 feedback is provided using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0138] Test-based fingerprinting 1200 is illustrated FIG. 26, Actual geometry and sensor location data from step 1202 is used in step 1204 to lay up and bag a representative part 26 so as to create in step 1206 a grid of representative leak locations. In step 1208 a small but measurable leak is created at each representative leak location from step 1206. The measured leak and flow sensor data from the small leaks created in step 1208 are recorded and stored in step 1210 so as to create a fingerprint. In step 1212, the representative leak created in step 1208 is sealed and if all of the representative leak locations created in step 1206 have not been tested then loop 1214 iterates the testing to step 1208 for the creation of the next small but measurable leak at the next representative leak location from the grid of representative of leak locations created in step 1206, Live flow data collected in step 1216 is used in step 1218 once all of the testing iterations of steps 1208-1214 have been completed, so as to compare the data from step 1216 with the fingerprints recorded and stored in step 1210 so as to determine in step 1218 which is the closest fingerprint that corresponds to the currently measured flow data and thereby identify the expected leak location, Feedback is provided in step 1220 using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc. or combinations thereof.

[0139] Leak identification optimization 1300 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 27. Geometry and vacuum lines and flow sensors data is collected in step 1302 and used in step 1304 to create permutations of vacuum line valve conditions. In step 1306, for each permutation in step 1304 the conditions for each valve are set. If for a particular permutation, the valve condition, as determined in step 1308, is closed, then the vacuum/pressure is measured in step 1310, and if the valve condition is open, gas is drawn in step 1312. Following steps either 1310 or 1312, the flow sensor data is recorded and stored in step 1314. If, as determined in step 1316, all of the permutations created in step 1304 have not been tested, then loop 1318 returns to step 1306 so as to set the condition for each valve in the next permutation according to the permutations created in step 1304. Data from a previously established leak fingerprint data base, such as described above, is retrieved in step 1320 and, when in step 1316 it is determined that all of the permutations have been tested, then in step 1322 the flow sensor data recorded and stored in step 1314 is compared to the data retrieved in step 1320 so as to find the closest fingerprint that corresponds to the aggregate flow data to identify the expected leak location, Feedback is provided in step 1324 using plots, maps, schematics, images, animations, projections, sounds, haptics, etc. or combinations thereof.

[0140] Leak fingerprint database optimization 1400 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 28. Geometry and vacuum lines and flow sensors data is collected in step 1402 and used to created permutations of vacuum line valve conditions in step 1404. For each permutation, the condition for each valve is set in step 1406. The valve condition for each permutation is determined in step 1408, and if the valve condition for that permutation is closed then vacuum/pressure is measured in step 1410. If the valve condition is vented then a controlled leak (for example, a small, measurable leak) is identified in step 1412. If the valve condition is open then gas is drawn in step 1414. In step 1416, the flow sensor data is recorded and stored. In step 1418 it is determined whether each permutation created in step 104 has been tested, and if not, loop 1420 returns to step 1406 so as to set the condition for each valve for the next permutation in the permutations created in step 1404. If in step 1408 it is determined that each of the permutations has been tested then a leak fingerprint database is created or augmented in step 1422.

[0141] Vacuum line and flow sensor location optimization 1500 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 29. Geometry and vacuum line and flow sensor data is gathered in step 1502. In step 1504 the fingerprint database is analyzed so as to examine the sensitivity of flow sensor and vacuum line locations. In step 1506 the vacuum lines and flow sensors are identified that can be removed with minimal impact on the effectiveness of the system. In step 1508, the regions are identified where the addition of vacuum lines and flow sensors may increase the effectiveness of the system.

[0142] Instead of pulling vacuum on all vacuum lines at the same time, the system may (automatically) turn individual vacuum lines on or off, thus each vacuum line may either draw gas out, or become a dead end, measuring the local vacuum level/pressure. By working through all combinations and permutations of vacuum lines being on or off, significant additional information may be generated about the location of the leak or off-gassing. This information may be used in any one, or a combination of, the methods described previously for localization/triangulation/fingerprinting.

[0143] Gas paths throughout a complex part may be characterized. Instead of having two options for each vacuum line (open vacuum pump or closed), each vacuum line may either be drawing vacuum, closed, or vented to the atmosphere (thus allowing air to come in). By then evaluating all combinations, the local gas permeability's of the assembly may be evaluated, and used to calibrate the localization/triangulation/fingerprinting methods previously described.

[0144] Currently, to applicant's knowledge the positioning of vacuum lines is based on experience and common sense, with no optimization. In a further aspect of the present invention the information gathered previously (by any of the methods, but in particular the analytical triangulation or computational fingerprinting) may be used to identify the sensitivity of the system to the number and positioning of the flow sensors. Optimization may be general, as in being sensitive to any leak or off-gassing event, or specific, responding to the leaks or off-gassing events that are more critical for a given part (for example ensuring that leaks are least likely to occur in a complex zone of a part where repair is difficult or impossible). By optimizing, the number of vacuum lines and sensors needed is minimized, and the sensitivity of the detection for a given number of lines and sensors is maximized. The optimization will be part shape and size dependent, including details of moulds or tooling, caul plates, inserts, and bagging.

[0145] In a further embodiment each gas conduit or gas port has a corresponding unique identifier so as to correlate the gas flow data with said corresponding unique identifier. The unique identifier may identify a unique location and may be chosen from the group which includes, for example, barcode, or radio-frequency identification.

[0146] In a further embodiment at least one gas conduit may be adapted to carry power and/or data.

[0147] In the above description of the system, including in the description of the software processing information needed by the system (for example the sensor data), as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the meaningful and efficient way to determine the output from the system, for example the feedback described above, is by the use of a digital processor such as a computer. In particular in order to obtain feedback in real time, or in a useful time to enhance production efficiency and productivity, a digital processor is used to transform the sensor data for example into feedback that locates gas-based defects identified herein.

[0148] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.