Fabricating shaped laminated transparencies

摘要

The present invention relates to the simultaneous shaping and lamination of lightweight laminated transparencies, particularly those that are suitable for use in aircraft. The plies of an assembly to be shaped and laminated are assembled with additional elements to form a flexible cell of air impervious material. The cell includes an air impervious flexible wall defining a peripheral space around the assembly and porous material in the space. The cell containing the assembly is mounted over a vacuum mold and heated to sag the cell and its assembly to the contour of the mold while evacuating the cell while the cell and said assembly are exposed to atmospheric pressure. The cell is cooled while still under evacuation until the shape of the assembly is set, then is separated from the vacuum mold. The resulting assembly thus shaped and laminated is separated from the cell.