Reusable infusion bag
View Patent ↗A reusable apparatus and method for forming a composite part through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The reusable apparatus may be configured to vacuum seal a curable material, such as composite material, against a tool and disperse a permeating substance such as liquid resin through the curable material. The reusable apparatus may comprise a sheet of material such as rubber having a plurality of surface deviations facing the curable material and the tool. The surface deviations may provide paths for evenly distributed air flow as air is evacuated from between the sheet of material and the tool. Additionally, the surface deviations may allow the permeating substance to be evenly dispersed throughout the curable material. A vacuum outlet of the tool may be positioned between two sealing apparatuses to provide continuous vacuum suction proximate a perimeter of the sheet of material to prevent air from leaking in.
1. A reusable apparatus for vacuum sealing a curable material against a tool, wherein the tool has a permeating substance inlet and a permeating substance outlet, and dispersing a permeating substance through the curable material, the reusable apparatus comprising:
a first side configured to face away from the curable material;
a second side configured to face the curable material;
a peripheral edge extending between the first and second sides; and
a plurality of surface deviations formed on the second side and configured for directing a flow of the permeating substance evenly throughout the curable material, wherein the surface deviations comprise a first flow path area having a plurality of flow path protrusions configured to provide a plurality of flow paths therebetween for directing a flow of the permeating substance evenly throughout the curable material and an elongated groove substantially extending a width of the curable material and located to one side of the first flow path area, wherein the elongated groove is configured to be positioned proximate to the permeating substance inlet of the tool and configured to evenly disperse the permeating substance throughout the elongated groove and throughout a width of the first flow path area.
2. The reusable apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reusable apparatus is formed from a sheet of rubber or rubber-like material on which the surface deviations are formed.
3. The reusable apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sheet of material is at least one of rubber and silicone.
4. The reusable apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface deviations further comprise a dam protruding outward from the second side of the sheet of rubber material and partially surrounding the first flow path area and the elongated groove.
5. The reusable apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface deviations further comprise a second flow path area having a plurality of vacuum path protrusions configured for evenly compressing and sealing the second side of the sheet of material proximate the peripheral edge against the tool.
6. The reusable apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:
a first sealing apparatus outward of the second flow path area adjacent the peripheral edge; and
a second sealing apparatus inward of the second flow path area,
wherein the first and second sealing apparatuses are configured to seal the second side of the reusable apparatus to the tool, forming a complete boundary around the curable material.
7. The reusable apparatus of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second sealing apparatuses have a substantially crescent-shaped cross-section for creating a suction-cup-like seal with the tool when forced downward towards the tool.
8. The reusable apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is positioned between a permeating substance inlet and a permeating substance outlet of the tool, and the elongated trough is positioned proximate the permeating substance inlet of the tool.
9. The reusable apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second sealing apparatuses are configured to be positioned on either side of a sealing outlet of the tool and the sealing outlet is attached to a vacuum pump to maintain a vacuum suction of the first and second sealing apparatuses against the tool.
10. A sheet of rubber thin enough and flexible enough to substantially conform to a desired shape for vacuum sealing a curable material against a tool and dispersing a permeating substance through the curable material, wherein the tool has a permeating substance inlet and a permeating substance outlet, the sheet of rubber comprising:
a first side facing away from the curable material;
a second side adjacent to and facing the curable material;
a peripheral edge extending between the first and second sides;
a first flow path area integral with the second side comprising flow path deviations configured to provide a plurality of flow paths for evenly distributing the permeating substance throughout the curable material;
an elongated groove formed into the second side, substantially extending a width of the curable material, and located proximate the first flow path area, wherein the elongated groove is configured to be positioned proximate to the permeating substance inlet of the tool and configured to evenly disperse the permeating substance throughout the elongated groove and throughout a width of the first flow path area;
a dam integral to and protruding outward from the second side and partially surrounding the first flow path area and the elongated trough; and
a second flow path area comprising surface deviations configured to provide a plurality of flow paths for evenly suctioning the second side proximate the peripheral edge of the sheet of rubber material against the tool; and
a sealing apparatus for forming an air-tight seal between the second side and the tool, wherein the sealing apparatus comprises a continuous first sealing apparatus outward of the second flow path area, and a continuous second sealing apparatus inward of the second flow path area.
11. The reusable apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the sheet of rubber is configured such that when the elongated groove is positioned proximate the permeating substance inlet of the tool, the first flow path is positioned between the permeating substance inlet and the permeating substance outlet of the tool, and the first and second sealing apparatuses are positioned such that a sealing outlet of the tool is located therebetween to maintain vacuum suction of the sheet of rubber against the tool.
12. The reusable apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the sheet of rubber material is comprised of silicone.
13. The reusable apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the dam has an opening proximate a side of the first flow path area opposite the elongated groove such that the permeating substance can exit the first flow path area through the opening.
14. The reusable apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second sealing apparatuses are comprised of rubber, integral with the sheet of rubber material, and each have a substantially crescent-shaped cross-section for creating a suction-cup-like seal with the tool when forced downward towards the tool.