US Patent Issued to Northrop Grumman Systems on April 29 for "Methods of forming a mandrel for forming composite structures, methods of forming composite structures, and related tools" (Utah Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 9 -- United States Patent no. 12,285,903, issued on April 29, was assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. (Falls Church, Va.).

"Methods of forming a mandrel for forming composite structures, methods of forming composite structures, and related tools" was invented by Benjamin W. Garcia (Tremonton, Utah), Jacob M. Ketcham (North Salt Lake, Utah), Jared S. Noorda (Mountain Green, Utah), Carl B. Madsen (Park City, Utah) and David R. Machac (Ogden, Utah).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A tool for forming a composite structure may include two or more segments formed from a polymer material. The tool may further include a crush insert disposed between the two or more segments....