TRANSPARENT PRESSURE BLADDER

摘要

An inflatable bladder (22) system for applying generally uniform pressure to parts being welded to insure proper contact at the welding interface (20) includes a first sheet (26) that is generally transparent to electromagnetic radiation to allow such radiation to pass therethrough. This electromagnetic radiation (12) serves to heat the parts to a temperature sufficient to create the weld. The inflatable bladder (22) also includes a second sheet (28) that is also generally transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The second sheet (28) is coupled to the first sheet (26) to create a sealed volume therebetween. Fluid (32) is selectively introduced into the sealed volume in order to expand the bladder into engagement with the parts being welded to exert a generally uniform pressure thereon.