Low volume autoclave having configurable shape

Abstract

An autoclave may be reconfigured to accommodate differently shaped parts by relatively rotating portions of the autoclave.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 opening an autoclave by separating a first portion of the autoclave and a second portion of the autoclave;   moving a part into the autoclave;   thereafter closing the autoclave and rotationally locking the autoclave;   processing the part using the autoclave;   thereafter rotationally unlocking the autoclave while the first portion and the second portion remain connected; and   thereafter opening the autoclave by separating the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 before opening the autoclave, determining a geometric envelope of the part; and   configuring the autoclave to match the geometric envelope by rotating at least one of the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 installing an end cover at an extremity of the autoclave.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 attaching at least one brace to at least one of the first portion or the second portion.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the part has a first shape, and the method further comprising:
 after opening the autoclave, removing the part; and   reconfiguring the autoclave to accept a second part of a second shape different than the first shape, wherein reconfiguring comprises rotating at least one of the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 configuring a shape of the autoclave to accommodate a number of differently shaped parts.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 rotating the first portion and the second portion of the autoclave relative to each other so that a first longitudinal axis of the first portion and a second longitudinal axis of the second portion are unaligned.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled by an adjustable joint. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the adjustable joint is configured to rotationally unlock while a portion of the first portion and the second portion remain connected and in contact. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one part of the number of differently shaped parts is cured in the autoclave while the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are unaligned. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 determining a geometric envelope of a number of differently shaped parts;   configuring a shape of an autoclave to accommodate a part of the number of differently shaped parts, wherein the configuring comprises matching the geometric envelope by rotating at least one of a first portion of the autoclave and a second portion of the autoclave;   opening the autoclave by separating the first portion and the second portion;   moving the part into the autoclave;   thereafter closing the autoclave and rotationally locking the autoclave;   curing the part using the autoclave;   after curing, rotationally unlocking the autoclave while the first portion and the second portion remain connected; and   after unlocking, opening the autoclave by separating the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 installing an end cover at an extremity of the autoclave.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 attaching at least one brace to at least one of the first portion or the second portion.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the part has a first shape, and the method further comprising:
 after opening the autoclave, removing the part; and   reconfiguring the autoclave to accept a second part of a second shape different than the first shape, wherein reconfiguring comprises rotating at least one of the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 rotating the first portion and the second portion of the autoclave relative to each other so that a first longitudinal axis of the first portion and a second longitudinal axis of the second portion are unaligned.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled by an adjustable joint. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the adjustable joint is configured to rotationally unlock while a portion of the first portion and the second portion remain connected and in contact. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein one part of the number of differently shaped parts is cured in the autoclave while a first longitudinal axis of the first portion and a second longitudinal axis of the second portion are unaligned. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 determining a geometric envelope of a number of differently shaped parts;   configuring a shape of an autoclave to accommodate a part of the number of differently shaped parts, wherein the configuring comprises matching the geometric envelope by rotating at least one of a first portion of the autoclave and a second portion of the autoclave;   opening the autoclave by separating the first portion and the second portion;   attaching at least one brace to at least one of the first portion or the second portion;   moving the part into the autoclave;   thereafter closing the autoclave and rotationally locking the autoclave;   curing the part using the autoclave;   after curing, rotationally unlocking the autoclave while the first portion and the second portion remain connected; and   after unlocking, opening the autoclave by separating the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the part has a first shape, and the method further comprising:
 after opening the autoclave, removing the part;   reconfiguring the autoclave to accept a second part of a second shape different than the first shape, wherein reconfiguring comprises rotating at least one of the first portion and the second portion; and   rotating the first portion and the second portion relative to each other so that a first longitudinal axis of the first portion and a second longitudinal axis of the second portion are unaligned, wherein:
 the first portion and the second portion are coupled by an adjustable joint; and 
 the adjustable joint is configured to rotationally unlock while a portion of the first portion and the second portion remain connected and in contact.