Abstract: An improved system for attaching balance weights to a wheel utilizes a balancing flange which extends radially inwardly from a wheel rim for mounting the balance weights. The system is particularly suited for use with full face wheels of the type wherein a full face cast or forged disk is joined to a partial wheel rim. The balancing flange may be suitably formed on the outboard portion of the partial wheel rim, and then butted against and welded to an axially extending annular flange formed on the inboard surface of the wheel disk. Balance weights may then be clipped to the flange at specified locations to balance the wheel and a tire mounted thereon. As the balance weights will not be visible from the outboard surface of the wheel, the cosmetic appearance of the wheel is not impaired. Preferably, the balancing flange is positioned in or near the plane of rotation of the center of mass of the wheel and tire assembly such that the balance weights do not create a force couple acting on the wheel.

Abstract: A fixture for mounting a vehicle wheel upon a lathe. The fixture includes a support structure which carries a plurality of movable arms. The arms extend axially within the wheel rim and through the wheel pilot hole. The arms have jaws formed on their ends. The arms are movable to cause the jaws to clamp the wheel hub against the support structure. Because the arms clamp the wheel hub, the entire outside surface of the wheel rim is exposed for machining, allowing machining of both tire bead seats during the same machining operation.

Abstract: An improved aluminum full face vehicle wheel is disclosed wherein the associated rim includes a uniquely shaped outboard tire bead seat which facilitates the welding of the rim to the associated wheel disc. In particular, the rim includes an axially extending outboard tire bead seat which terminates at a axial endmost surface. The axial endmost surface includes a radially extending first end surface, and a non-radially extending chamfered second end surface. When the axial endmost surface of the rim is positioned against an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc, the radially extending first end surface of the rim abuts the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc, and the non-radially extending chamfered second end surface of the rim is spaced from the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc to form a generally annular groove. The groove receives a weld to join the rim and the disc together and produce the finished aluminum full face vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An improved central tire inflation system wherein positive air pressure is used to control the air pressure in the associated vehicle tire includes a vehicle wheel assembly having a tire mounted thereon and defining a pressurized tire air chamber, and a positive pressure air source. A normally closed inflation valve is connected between the tire air chamber and the positive pressure air source, and a normally closed deflation valve is connected between the tire air chamber and the atmosphere. A control valve selectively actuated by a central control unit is provided to operatively connect the inflation valve and the deflation valve to the positive pressure air source. The system further includes a sensor for measuring the tire pressure in the tire air chamber. The sensor is operative to generate a signal corresponding to the air pressure in the tire air chamber to the central control unit.

Abstract: A full face wheel assembly comprises a full face disc and a rim. The disc is preferably cast from aluminum whereas the rim is rolled from aluminum strip stock. The full face disc comprises an outboard bead seat flange, an outboard bead seat and an outboard well side wall. The disc may also include lightener pockets or a continuous re-entrant channel adjacent the outboard bead seat. The rim comprises an inboard bead seat flange, an inboard bead seat, an inboard leg, and a deep well. The disc and rim are welded together in the deep well or bead seat regions by gas metal arc welding, electron beam welding or other suitable welding technique.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a metal component uses a first heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature for solution heat treatment. The heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations to effect solution heat treatment of the component. Following quenching, a second heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature artificially ages the component.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle wheel wherein the inboard and outboard tire bead seat retaining flanges are precisely oriented and located relative to an inboard mounting surface of the disc, and the inboard and outboard tire bead seat surfaces are precisely oriented and located relative to a wheel axis includes the steps of steps of: (a) providing a rim defining a rim axis and including at least an inboard portion and an outboard portion; (b) providing a disc defining a disc axis and including at least an inner annular wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion, the wheel mounting portion defining an inboard mounting surface and having a centrally located pilot hole formed therethrough; (c) positioning the rim and disc together in generally coaxial relationship; (d) simultaneously with step (c), joining the outer annular portion of the disc to the rim by welding to produce a partially-formed wheel assembly defining a wheel axis; (e) subsequent to step (d), forming an inboard tire bead seat

Abstract: A method for attaching a metal wheel disc to a wheel rim formed from a metal which is dissimilar to the wheel disc metal. A layer of metal which is compatible for welding to the metal forming the wheel disc is thermally sprayed onto an outboard portion of the wheel rim to form a weld anchor. The wheel disc is positioned adjacent to the sprayed metal layer and welded thereto. The wheel disc also can be cast or forged over the sprayed metal layer with the wheel disc bonding to the sprayed metal layer to form a secure air-tight seal between the wheel disc and the wheel rim. Alternately, a metal filler compatible with both the metals forming the wheel disc and wheel rim is thermally sprayed onto the wheel rim and the wheel disc brazed thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having an annular clearance groove formed in an inboard surface of a center hub. A plurality of stud holes extend through the hub to the clearance groove. The stud holes receive wheel studs when the wheel is attached to a vehicle. The clearance groove receives any tinnerman nuts which are attached to the wheel studs.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover retention system wherein the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the associated wheel includes a unique construction for securing a wheel cover to the wheel. In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. A relatively thin wheel cover (which may or may not conform to the exact contour of the disc) covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel disc surface. In particular, the wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove.

Abstract: An improved full face fabricated vehicle wheel is disclosed wherein the rim includes a uniquely shaped outboard tire bead seat which facilitates the welding of the rim to the associated wheel disc. In particular, the outboard tire bead seat includes a first section and a second section. The first section defines a first axial outer surface, and the second section defines a second axial outer surface and an axial endmost surface. The second axial outer surface of the second section is spaced radially inwardly relative to the first axial outer surface of the first section. When the axial endmost surface of the second section of the rim is positioned against an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc, a recess is formed between the second axial outer surface and the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The recess defines an axially extending annular groove which receives a weld to join the rim and disc together and produce the full face fabricated wheel.

Abstract: An improved aluminum full face vehicle wheel is disclosed wherein the associated rim includes a uniquely shaped outboard tire bead seat which facilitates the welding of the rim to the associated wheel disc. In particular, the rim includes an axially extending outboard tire bead seat which terminates an axial endmost surface. The axial endmost surface includes a radially extending first end surface, and a non-radially extending chamfered second end surface. When the axial endmost surface of the rim is positioned against an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc, the radially extending first end surface of the rim abuts the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc, and the non-radially extending chamfered second end surface of the rim is spaced from the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc to form a generally annular groove. The groove receives a weld to join the rim and the disc together and produce the finished aluminum full face vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A light weight cast metal wheel having a disk-shaped wheel disk formed across an annular wheel rim and including a reinforcing layer of a metal matrix composite extending radially across the wheel disk. The reinforcing layer also can extend axially across a portion of the wheel rim. The metal matrix composite layer is formed by securing a preform formed from a reinforcing material within the wheel mold prior to casting the wheel. The use of a preform assures that the resulting reinforcing layer is uniform.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a wheel mold that has a top segment having a plurality of openings formed therethrough. Movable cores are carried in the top segment openings. A mechanism is mounted on the top segment to alternately extend the cores into the mold cavity and retract the cores into the openings. To form a wheel, the movable cores are extended and molten metal is introduced into the mold cavity. The movable cores form recesses in the resulting wheel casting. After casting has cooled sufficiently, the movable cores are retracted from the recesses allowing the top segment to be withdrawn from the wheel casting. The casting is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A bimetal full face wheel having an improved structure for attaching a preformed partial wheel rim to a full face cast wheel disk. The improved structure includes a weld anchor having a cylindrical sleeve with a flange extending radially outwardly from one end thereof. The flange is secured to an inboard surface of the wheel disk rim. The wheel rim includes a cylindrical outboard end which is pressed over the anchor sleeve. The outboard end of the wheel rim is welded to the weld anchor.

Abstract: A full face wheel assembly comprises a full face disc and a rim. The disc is preferably cast from aluminum whereas the rim is rolled from aluminum strip stock. The full face disc comprises an outboard bead seat flange, an outboard bead seat and an outboard well side wall. The disc may also include lightener pockets or a continuous re-entrant channel adjacent the outboard bead seat. The rim comprises an inboard bead seat flange, an inboard bead seat, an inboard leg, and a deep well. The disc and rim are welded together in the deep well or bead seat regions by gas metal arc welding, electron beam welding or other suitable welding technique.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a full face fabricated vehicle wheel is disclosed, wherein a full face disc is formed by combining stamping and flow spinning operations.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.