By Kinetic Energy Of Fluid Or Field Patents (Class 72/56)
  • Patent number: 6408512
    Abstract: A method of correcting deformed turbine components (1) in an incompressible medium (4) is achieved via means of a pressure wave (6). The turbine component (1) is rigidly fixed to a matrix (3) containing a specified mold (2) and is put into the incompressible medium (4). The method may advantageously work at ambient temperature. It is quick, reproducible and cost-effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Boegli, Markus Schmid, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 6401507
    Abstract: A die button flush mounted in the cavity surface of a lower one of two hydroforming dies has a backup plunger received therein that forms a part of this surface when the plunger is in a hydroforming position. A slug ejector received in the lower die also forms a part of this surface and with a tubular part enclosed in the cavity formed by the dies, hydroforming fluid under pressure is supplied to the interior of the part and also to separately act on the plunger. The fluid pressure moves and holds the plunger in its hydroforming position while forming the part to the die cavity surface. The fluid pressure on the plunger is then exhausted allowing the fluid pressure in the part to stretch a portion of the part into the die button while also forcing the plunger to a position that limits this stretching to prevent piercing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Mark Krcek, Romuald Gmurowski, Bruce Steven Shimanovski, Mircea M Ghiran
  • Publication number: 20020014101
    Abstract: In the process for the monolithic molding of superplastic material, generation of wrinkles on the molded product can be prevented by avoiding local expansion generated in the no-bonding regions of both of three or more metal plates when the metal plates are monolithically molded by means of superplastic molding. The process is characterized in that auxiliary plates for molding are placed on both sides of the superposed plates through the no-bonding regions, these plates are set in the molding die, and a pressure lower than applied to the non-bonding regions is applied to spaces between inner wall of the molding die and the auxiliary plates to control movement of the top and bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Shinichi Yajima
  • Patent number: 6343496
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a contoured design confirguration in the wall of an open ended container workpiece employs plural molds on a rotating turret an which a plurality of molds are provided with each mold having an inwardly facing wall having the desired configuration. The workpiece is delivered from a pneumatic conveyor and vacuum star wheel into an open mold which then closes and the interior of the workpiece is pressurized with air. A rotary wand moves into the workpiece and discharges high velocity rotating liquid jets against the inner wall surface of the workpiece to forcefully move the wall outwardly into conforming contact with the inner wall surface of the mold to effect permanent reshaping of the workpiece into the desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Hanna, Otis Willoughby, Greg Robinson
  • Patent number: 6264880
    Abstract: Fluid-forming compositions in a container attached to enclosed adjacent sheets are heated to relatively high temperatures to generate fluids (gases) that effect inflation of the sheets. Fluid rates to the enclosed space between the sheets can be regulated by the canal from the container. Inflated articles can be produced by a continuous, rather than batch-type, process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John W. Elmer, Robert L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 6250122
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reshaping a container body (e.g., a metal, drawn and ironed container body) utilizing a floating mechanism for imparting an axial load is disclosed. In one embodiment, a container may have a substantially cylindrical sidewall with an inner surface and outer surface, where a shape defining means has a contoured surface positionable with respect to a container sidewall. When a floating mechanism imparts an axial load, a fluid seal is maintained allowing sidewall deformation by means of a directed pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Robinson, Otis Willoughby, Howard Curtis Chasteen
  • Patent number: 6229125
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for pulse magnetic forming of a tubular workpiece is provided. The apparatus forms functionally a single wind coil and is particularly suitable for joining or welding of a tube onto another tube or a cylindrical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Pulsar Welding Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Livshiz, Oren Gafri
  • Patent number: 6220166
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for explosively penetrating hardened containers such as steel drums without producing metal fragmentation is disclosed. The apparatus can be used singularly or in combination with water disrupters and other disablement tools. The apparatus is mounted in close proximity to the target and features a main sheet explosive that is initiated at least three equidistant points along the sheet's periphery. A buffer material is placed between the sheet explosive and the target. As a result, the metallic fragments generated from the detonation of the detonator are attenuated so that no fragments from the detonator are transferred to the target. As a result, an opening can be created in containers such as steel drums through which access to the IED is obtained to defuse it with projectiles or fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher R. Cherry
  • Patent number: 6184503
    Abstract: Rare earth metal switched magnetic devices that comprise one or more magnets, a rare earth metal element positioned in the magnetic field produced by the magnet(s) and a system for controlling the temperature of the rare earth metal element are disclosed. The rare earth metal element is formed of a rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy having magnetic properties that change from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic when heated above the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy. Preferably the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy is at or below the ambient temperature in which the rare earth metal switched magnetic device is to be used—approximately room temperature (70° F.) in the case of devices intended for use in a factory. Tailored Curie temperatures can be obtained by alloying rare earth metals together and/or with conventional switchable “soft” magnetic metals—iron, nickel, and cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Darryl F. Garrigus
  • Patent number: 6180928
    Abstract: Rare earth metal switched magnetic devices that comprise one or more magnets, a rare earth metal element positioned in the magnetic field produced by the magnet(s) and a system for controlling the temperature of the rare earth metal element are disclosed. The rare earth metal element is formed of a rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy having magnetic properties that change from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic when heated above the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy. Preferably the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy is at or below the ambient temperature in which the rare earth metal switched magnetic device is to be used—approximately room temperature (70° F.) in the case of devices intended for use in a factory. Tailored Curie temperatures can be obtained by alloying rare earth metals together and/or with conventional switchable “soft” magnetic metals—iron, nickel, and cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Darryl F. Garrigus
  • Patent number: 6094809
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes the steps of providing a wheel rim and a spider and holding the spider inside the wheel rim. The wheel rim and the spider are positioned in a high capacity forming machine. At least one of a portion of the wheel rim located adjacent an outer periphery of the spider and a portion of the outer periphery of the spider is permanently deformed towards the other of the wheel rim and the spider thereby securing the wheel rim to the spider. An apparatus for securing the wheel rim to the spider includes a bottom die, a bottom inside rim stabilizer supported on the bottom die, a spider supported on the bottom inside rim stabilizer, a top inside rim stabilizer and a wheel rim supported by the bottom rim stabilizer and the top inside rim stabilizer. A high capacity forming machine encircles the wheel rim. The high capacity forming machine includes a workpiece which at least sometimes contacts the wheel rim and an electric circuit located adjacent the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alotech Ltd. LLC
    Inventor: John R. Grassi
  • Patent number: 6089064
    Abstract: Sliding plugs use o-ring seals against the internal walls of an isostatic bulge forming die to apply end load to tube stock blanks during isostatic bulge forming. The die is made from two or more mating segments that assemble together to define a central channel for holding the tube stock blank. The plugs move inwardly into the die when the blank elongates or expands into the die, because such expansion reduces the internal pressure within the blank. The plugs are drawn inwardly because of the pressure decline in the blank. The plugs compress the ends of the blank and force the ends inwardly closer together. Such motion effectively feeds more material to the die and permits greater elongation in the completed part with tighter corner radii. Motion limiting shoulders on the plugs assure that the feeding of material is even from both ends. Typical range of motion for a plug is about 0.5 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Paul J. Tauzer
  • Patent number: 6079244
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reshaping a container body (e.g., a metal, drawn and ironed container body) utilizing a floating mechanism for imparting an axial load is disclosed. In one embodiment, a container may have a substantially cylindrical sidewall with an inner surface and outer surface, where a shape defining means has a contoured surface positionable with respect to a container sidewall.When a floating mechanism imparts an axial load, a fluid seal is maintained allowing sidewall deformation by means of a directed pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Robinson, Otis Willoughby, Howard Curtis Chasteen
  • Patent number: 6065317
    Abstract: As procedure for joining two concentrically engaging hollow bodies such as metallic tubes by electromagnetically deforming overlapping surfaces of the hollow bodies to create mutual structural bulges over their common scope in a circumferential and axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Magnet-Physik Dr. Steingroever GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Steingroever
  • Patent number: 6044677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for surface structuring of workpieces, in particular molds for plastics processing, erosion electrodes or the like, in which a structured surface is applied to an unstructured workpiece surface in order to map the structure into the workpiece surface. In order to provide a method which can be carried out more quickly, and which involves no environmentally hazardous process steps, it is proposed that a structure layer which has the structured surface is arranged between an explosive layer and the workpiece surface, and the structure is forced into the workpiece surface by detonating the explosive layer or a surface-structured explosive layer is arranged on a workpiece surface, and the structure is embossed onto the workpiece by detonating the explosive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Lars Ziegler, Thomas Keicher, Peter Elsner, Peter Eyerer, Volker Komanschek
  • Patent number: 5996385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating high density monolithic metal and oy billets. The process requires preheating precursor materials of metal or alloy billets by means of a combustion synthesis called Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). The reaction takes place in an insulated reaction vessel where the precursors, in a powder form, are heated to high temperatures. The precursors are then compacted to high density by means of pressure waves generated by detonation of an explosive. The method is capable of producing high purity tungsten and tungsten-based alloys of greater than 90% theoretical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Laszlo J. Kecskes
  • Patent number: 5983478
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for electromagnetically forming the end of an electrically conductive 2024 aluminum tube onto an end fitting includes energizing a main coil around a field concentrator movable into an opening in the main coil. The field concentrator has a wide circumferential flange that narrows down to an inner radial web having an axial channel through the center. The field concentrator is split horizontally into two halves, so the top half can be removed for insertion of the tube end and the end fitting. The end fitting has a tubular body that fits snugly into the end of the tube. A pair of carriages mounted on rails clamp the tube, and a gripper holds the end fitting in the proper position in the tube end. The carriages carry the field concentrator, and the tube with its end fitting positioned in the center of the field concentrator web, into the coil where a magnetic field generated by the coil and concentrated by the field concentrator forms the end of the tube onto the end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Dolan, John L. Eickelberg, Blake E. Reed, Ron N. Scarborough
  • Patent number: 5981921
    Abstract: A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Boris A. Yablochnikov
  • Patent number: 5964114
    Abstract: A strip line or line for processing nonferrous metal sheets and plates has linear motor stators provided for contactless adjustment of the tension or stress distribution in response to planarity and profile measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk- Und Walzwerk- Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Noe, Andreas Noe
  • Patent number: 5953805
    Abstract: A magnetic field concentrator for shaping metal parts by way of a high magnet impulse, with an opening in the form of a radially split mold, partially formed by a sabot/magnetic field shaping piece, to receive the part to be shaped, wherein the part to be shaped may have terminal end fittings or similar parts with a larger outside dimension than the work receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Magnet-Physik Dr. Steingroever GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Steingroever
  • Patent number: 5901593
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a sheet metal part utilizing stereolithography. A computer formblock model is first designed. Stereolithographic techniques are utilized to create a formblock using the computer formblock model. A part is formed from a sheet metal blank using the formblock, whereby force is applied to the sheet metal blank to bend it about the formblock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Boris C. Fritz
  • Patent number: 5895666
    Abstract: A device for expandingly remodelling a hollow object consisting of a body with a mouth opening and a bottom, for instance a metal can, a blown plastic, for instance PET, bottle or the like, includes: a mould comprising two mould parts, which mould parts are relatively movable between a closed position, in which they bound a mould cavity having a form which corresponds with the desired final form of an object, and an open position in which an object for remodelling can be placed and a remodelled object can be removed; sealing means for sealing the mouth opening against the wall of the closed mould cavity; compression means for increasing the pressure in the object placed in the closed mould cavity such that the object is thereby expanded against the wall of the mould cavity; decompression means for subsequently decreasing this pressure such that the mould parts can be moved to their open position in which a remodelled object can be removed; and has the feature that the decompression means are adapted to tempor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Thomassen & Drijver-Verblifa B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Willem Brilman
  • Patent number: 5884569
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the explosive destruction of munitions, including cluster-bomb munitions by detonation in an explosion chamber. The apparatus comprises a double-walled steel explosion chamber in which the of the chamber walls and access doors are filled with granular shock damping silica sand. The floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping pea gravel. An array of vent pipes vents the chamber into manifolds leading to a scrubber for further cooling and environmental treatment of the gaseous combustion products. Within the chamber, plastic bags of water are suspended over the detonation. A munition to be destroyed is placed within an open-topped manganese steel fragmentation containment unit, which is then placed within the chamber under a woven steel blast mat secured to the chamber roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: John L. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5868023
    Abstract: Hollow bodies such as construction elements for vehicle manufacture can be produced by forming a preform in the form of a longitudinal body or sheets of aluminum or its alloys by means of a high internal pressure process or by superplastic forming in a tool. In this process the preform is heat treated locally before forming, on places of high elongation during the forming process and/or the tool for the forming process is equipped with local surface characteristics of different friction such as roughness patterns or with smoothed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Wehner, Gerd Springe
  • Patent number: 5860306
    Abstract: One of the key features of the present invention is the use of a electrical conduit arrangement that allows for the tailoring of the magnetic field so as to provide for the greater amount of force to be brought to bear generally in the center of the work force area. The present invention provides for such capability by providing for a single central current conduit for forming longitudinally extending work pieces. The present invention also provides for the splitting, and/or direction (or curvature) reversal, of the electrical current pulse one or more times to likewise tailor the magnetic field of the work-coil or forming actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Glenn S. Daehn, Vincent J. Vohnout, Amit A. Tamhane
  • Patent number: 5829137
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes the steps of providing a wheel rim and a spider and holding the spider inside the wheel rim. The wheel rim and the spider are positioned in a high capacity forming machine. At least one of a portion of the wheel rim located adjacent an outer periphery of the spider and a portion of the outer periphery of the spider is permanently deformed towards the other of the wheel rim and the spider thereby securing the wheel rim to the spider. An apparatus for securing the wheel rim to the spider includes a bottom die, a bottom inside rim stabilizer supported on the bottom die, a spider supported on the bottom inside rim stabilizer, a top inside rim stabilizer and a wheel rim supported by the bottom rim stabilizer and the top inside rim stabilizer. A high capacity forming machine encircles the wheel rim. The high capacity forming machine includes a workpiece which at least sometimes contacts the wheel rim and an electric circuit located adjacent the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: John R. Grassi
  • Patent number: 5826320
    Abstract: A process is provided for electromagnetically forming an elongated tubular workpiece by applying an electromagnetic force provided by an energized workcoil to the workpiece radially of its longitudinal axis and by simultaneously applying an axial compressive force to the workpiece. The axial compressive force may be applied to the workpiece from a time before applying the radial electromagnetic force. A forming member including a surface having a desired contour is provided adjacent the workpiece and the workpiece is caused by the electromagnetic force to conformingly engage the surface of the forming member and thereby assume the contoured shape of the forming member. The forming member may be a forming die which surrounds the workpiece or a forming mandrel may be positioned within the workpiece. In another embodiment, both a forming die and a forming mandrel may be employed for performing the forming operation at longitudinally spaced regions of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: John Rathke, Elvin Charles Burger, Edward M. Peterson, Christopher J. Horan
  • Patent number: 5824998
    Abstract: A method of joining or welding of at least a portion of a first metal workpiece to at least a portion of one or more second metal workpieces, comprising inducing movement in said portion of the first workpiece by means of a pulsed magnetic force so as to impact said portion of the second workpiece, the movement imparting a kinetic energy on the at least portion of the first workpiece to cause the two at least portions to join or weld to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pulsar Welding Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Livshiz, Oren Gafri
  • Patent number: 5816090
    Abstract: A pneumatic isostatic forging process for densification of near net shape workpieces is disclosed. In the process, a workpiece is heated prior to the forging process, such as from a previous processing step. The workpiece is loaded into a pressure vessel. The pressure in the vessel is ramped to an operating pressure and held for approximately 10-120 seconds. The vessel is pressurized using rapid pressurization to achieve a high strain rate to assist in the final closure of voids within the workpiece, with the increase in the strain rate lowering the flow stress requirements for the workpiece, thereby making the workpiece more susceptible to plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Ametek Specialty Metal Products Division
    Inventors: Edwin S. Hodge, Robert F. Tavenner
  • Patent number: 5813264
    Abstract: A method for forming and joining workpieces by a magnetic field produced by a current impulse applied through a high current loop, whereby the magnetic field exerts a force from outside on an electrically conducting workpiece or on electrically conducting compression rings encircling the workpiece, wherein the current impulse begins in the form of a half sine wave defined by the equation (.omega.t=0 . . . .pi.); and then fades away as defined by the equation (.omega.t>.pi. . . . .infin.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Magnet-Physik Dr. Steingroever GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Steingroever
  • Patent number: 5813265
    Abstract: An electromagnetic peening apparatus includes a first electromagnetic coil having a first face configured to conform to a first surface of a workpiece, and a second electromagnetic coil having a second face configured to conform to a second surface of the workpiece. A carriage positions the first and second coils in abutting contact with the workpiece at respective first and second faces and surfaces. A power supply powers the coils to produce electromagnetic force therein to plastically deform the workpiece at the first and second surfaces to effect a compressive layer therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James S. Shaw, Neil A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5813110
    Abstract: A low-voltage electromagnetic riveter (LVEMR) including two opposed rivet guns (70, 72) for upsetting rivets during the assembly of structural parts is disclosed. Variable capacitor banks (64, 65 or 64', 65') are discharged to provide a variable current pulse which flows through a driver coil (131) and a mass-mounted coil (135) of each rivet gun (70, 72). Preferably, the mating faces of the coils are contoured to assist in the alignment of the coils. The driver coils are affixed to the ends of drivers (125) that drive rivet dies (121) into the ends of a rivet (75) to be upset. The LVEMR is controlled such that the net magnetic forces generated between the two pairs of coils actuate the rivet guns (70, 72) so that one end of the rivet is impacted slightly before the other end. The delay is controlled by a delay generator (44). Further, rapid-acting ground fault detection circuits (52 and 53) cause a power shutdown and capacitor bank discharge in the event of a ground fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Arntson, Martin A. Karge
  • Patent number: 5799524
    Abstract: A shaped and pierced hollow workpiece is made by first confining a hollow metal blank in a cavity of a die which has an inner surface and is formed with a lateral compartment. The blank is internally pressurized to press it outward against the inner surface of the cavity while forming at the compartment an outwardly projecting bulge. A tool is pressed against an outer surface of the bulge and the bulge is pressed inward so as to at least partially to invert it and press a central portion of the bulge against an opposite inside wall of the blank. A hole is then machined through the blank where the central portion of the bulge engages the opposite inside wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Schafer Hydroforming GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: August Wilhelm Schafer, Hans Werner Scholz, Adolf Handel
  • Patent number: 5776270
    Abstract: A method for reforming the generally cylindrical sidewalls of aluminum containers is disclosed. The method produces highly expanded and/or contoured container sidewalls which provide a distinctive appearance in comparison with cylindrical containers having straight sidewalls. Multiple expansion steps are used to expand the sidewall to a diameter substantially greater than the initial diameter of the cylindrical starting container. The sidewalls are thermally treated prior to expansion, for example, by annealing to reduce or eliminate residual stresses and work hardening. The sidewall thickness of the cylindrical starting container is preferably selected in order to maximize the total amount of sidewall expansion that can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Scott C. Biondich
  • Patent number: 5730016
    Abstract: An apparatus for deforming a sheet metal workpiece comprises an inductor for generating a magnetic field, a die comprised of substantially non-conductive material, and a workpiece comprised of substantially conductive material situated such that a current flowing in the inductor creates a magnetic field forcing the workpiece toward the surface of the die. Preferably, a flux transfer member is provided between the inductor and the workpiece to improve forming efficiency. In one preferred embodiment, the workpiece is an aluminum beverage container having a wall thickness of approximately 0.004 to 0.008 inches. In this embodiment, the waveform of the inductor current preferably comprises damped oscillations, and the frequency of the oscillations is approximately 20 to 60 kilohertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Elmag, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunter H. Zittel
  • Patent number: 5687599
    Abstract: A can is formed including a body having a bottom wall with an electromagnetically formed contoured sidewall extending therefrom and a necked end. The open end of the sidewall is first pre-necking to form a reduced diameter section. Thereupon, the sidewall is electromagnetically formed to form an outwardly expanding contoured sidewall. The can is then subjected to a necking process proximate the reduced diameter section to achieve a further reduced diameter conical necked end. The necking process may be performed by radially inwardly advancing an external forming member into contact with the sidewall against counterpressure provided by a pair of relatively axially displaceable inner members disposed within the can interior. Alternatively, the necking process may be spin flow necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Roger H. Donaldson, Horst F. Arfert, Daniel F. Cudzik, Robert P. Foetisch
  • Patent number: 5634364
    Abstract: An expandable, segmented coil is disclosed for use in electromagnetic can forming. The segmented coil comprises a central camshaft and a plurality of coil segments equally spaced about the central camshaft. Each of the plurality of coil segments comprises a coil core and a conductive tubing. The coil core including a central longitudinal bore and a profiled plate cooperating with the camshaft and movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position upon rotation of the camshaft. The tubing being routed through the central bore, wrapped around the coil core to form coil windings, and terminating in a conductor terminal for connection to a power supply for energization of the coil. The central camshaft includes an elongated shaft with a profiled cam plate on one end thereof. Each profiled plate of the coil core includes a cam follower cooperating with the profiled cam plate to cause movement of the coil segments between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Terrance L. Gardner, Horst F. Arfert
  • Patent number: 5626051
    Abstract: A process for forming a corrugated metal sheet (1) which includes perforations (2) over its entire surface, in which process the metal sheet (1) is laid on a die (11) provided with corrugations (11b), the space (13) delimited beween the metal sheet (1) and the die (11) is sealed by blocking off the perforations (2) in the metal sheet (1), an explosive charge (16) with remote-controlled firing is placed on top of the upper face of the metal sheet (1), a vacuum is created in the space (13) delimited between the metal sheet (1) and the die (11), the entire assembly is immersed in a firing tank filled with water, and firing of the explosive charge is initiated, so that the energy release presses the metal sheet (1) against the die (11). The invention also includes a device for forming a corrugated metal sheet and a corrugated metal sheet formed by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Packinox
    Inventor: Dominique Sabin
  • Patent number: 5619878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a pipe with a corrugated wall by means of the electroforming technique. The method comprises the stage of forming, possibly partial, on the circumference of the pipe over a length of about one pitch of the corrugation. The corrugated deformation of the pipe is obtained by step-by-step forming after moving the forming mandrel longitudinally in the pipe. The invention also relates to a device for forming a corrugated pipe. In a variant, the device comprises a cylindrical mandrel on which a groove deepens over a circumference portion and continues at the depth of the corrugation to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Grosjean, Michel Huvey
  • Patent number: 5613453
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the detonation of explosives in an explosion chamber is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate double-walled steel explosion chamber anchored to a concrete foundation, and having a double-walled access door for charging new workpieces, and a double-walled vent door for discharging the products of the explosion. The double walls of the chamber, access door and vent door are filled with granular shock damping material such as silica sand, and the floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping bed such as pea gravel. Along the outside of the chamber are steel manifolds from which a linear array of vent pipes penetrates the double walls of the chamber, with each pipe terminating in a hardened steel orifice through which the explosion combustion products pass. Within the chamber, plastic polymer film bags containing water are suspended from steel wires over the explosive material, and at each end of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: John L. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5611230
    Abstract: Structure and a method for producing very dense bodies of material from particulate materials. A particulate material is placed within an electrically conductive container. A solenoid or coil encompasses the electrically conductive container, and a large magnitude of electrical current is caused to flow through the solenoid or coil. As the electrical current flows through the solenoid or coil, large magnitudes of magnetic pressures are created upon the electrically conductive container, and the electrically conductive container is compressed, and the transverse dimension thereof is reduced. Thus, the particulate material within the electrically conductive container is very firmly compacted, and a rigid body of material is provided. Any one of numerous types of particulate material may be employed. For example, a body of electrical superconductive material of any desired size and shape can be produced by this method by the use of superconducting particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: IAP Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhanumathi Chelluri, John P. Barber
  • Patent number: 5586460
    Abstract: A high-current loop connected to a pulse transformer is made as a magnetic field shaper with an opening to receive a metal part which is to be shaped. The high-current loop has a slit extending radially with respect to this opening in the direction toward conductor blocks connecting it to the secondary winding of the pulse transformer. The high-current loop can also be made as an exchangeable magnetic field shaper, made up of one block that is divided in the area of the opening, preferably consisting of copper or aluminum, that has an opening for the metal part which is to be shaped. This design of a high-current loop is used to receive pipe-shaped metal parts that are to be shaped, that, outside of the deformation, have a larger outside diameter, that receive a metal part with a larger volume, and/or that are pre-bent in a serpentine fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Magnet-Physik Dr. Steingroever GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Steingroever
  • Patent number: 5575165
    Abstract: A repair kit for removing dents from a sheet of metal. The kit includes a sheet of damping material that is mounted to the surface of the metal. A vacuum can be pulled between the sheet metal and the damping material so that the surface of the damping material is secured to the metal. An electromagnetic device is inserted through an access hole in the damping device and energized to pull the dent out of the sheet metal. The damping material dampens any vibrational energy generated in the sheet metal and prevents "spring back" during the dent removal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Roseberry
  • Patent number: 5575166
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a metal object wherein first and second coils are provided in close proximity to and in electromagnetic association with each other, the first coil is in driving association with a forming tool for forming the metal object and the first and second coils are supported in a manner allowing movement of the first coil relative to the second coil, and wherein an electric current pulse is supplied simultaneously to the first and second coils to produce a repulsive electromagnetic force sufficient to accelerate the first coil and drive the forming tool to perform a forming operation on the metal object, the pulses being shaped in accordance with a characteristic of the object being formed. The pulse shaping aspect includes matching the magnetic force based on the current pulse with the stress-strain characteristic of the object being formed. A voltage doubling network can be employed to provide increased output force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: David Michalewski, Joseph A. Dionne, Mark A. Siuta
  • Patent number: 5516481
    Abstract: A pressure medium composed of plural kinds of fluids each of which have a different density is charged in a pressure chamber forming, for example, fluid layers. A material is suspended by way of buoyancy brought by this pressure medium. By properly controlling the density of the pressure medium of plural kinds of fluids, various kinds of materials having different densities can be supported in a suspending state at an almost constant pressure. The apparatus and the method processes the material under a state of compensated-gravitation, and is capable of forming an easy-handling weightless state for a long period of time at low cost in a simple manner for ease of handling of the material being processed and can contribute to developing useful materials and novel materials and to the supplying of them in bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Plata Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Ishizaki, Makoto Nanko
  • Patent number: 5457977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming, by either radially expanding or reducing an electrically conductive tubular workpiece (11). The method of the expansion embodiment comprises the steps of inserting an insulated electrical conductor (21) into the tube; then making up an electrical circuit that includes the portion of the wall of the tube in series or parallel connection with the electrical conductor and a source of electrical power (C and SW), then applying a voltage across the circuit. The current flowing through the conductor and the tube produces a circumferential electromagnetic field between the conductor and the tube. The current in the tube, interacting with the magnetic field, produces a radially directed outward force on the tube. If the force is sufficiently great and of a duration longer than the time required for a sound wave to pass through the tube wall, the tube wall will radially expand and be permanently deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5452506
    Abstract: This is a description of a process and equipment for the removal of seals (closures or caps) for containers, that works with an electromagnetic pulse. The pulse is generated in a current pulse coil, that grasps around the seal, by the discharge current of a condenser. The process and the equipment are suited for removing seals (closures or caps) from containers for milk and dairy products and also for other beverages and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Magnet-Physik Dr. Steingroever GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Biedermann, Erich Steingroever
  • Patent number: 5442846
    Abstract: Joinder of two adjacent segments of steel pipe having an outer diameter of at least 12 inches, by a bridging sleeve, the sleeve being joined to both pipe segments by magnetic forming. Apparatus enabling the process includes a segmented ring-shaped coil brought together around the joinder, to form a complete coil circuit for magnetic forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Alvin A. Snaper
  • Patent number: 5419862
    Abstract: An explosion device for use in connection with the explosive disposal of poisons, explosives and the like and a method for operating the device are disclosed. The device comprises an explosion chamber which is anchored in a foundation, a lock chamber including an inner door for transferring an explosive mixture from the lock chamber into the explosion chamber and an outer door for removing material from the lock chamber, a compensating device in the explosion chamber to absorb the explosive energy generated by the explosion of an explosive mixture in the explosion chamber, a vacuum system, and means connecting the vacuum system to the lock chamber and to the explosion chamber for establishing a vacuum condition within the lock chamber and within the explosion chamber. The inner door of the lock chamber is operable, in a closed position, to prevent communication between the explosion chamber and the lock chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Heinrich Hampel
  • Patent number: RE36912
    Abstract: .[.A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the detonation of explosives in an explosion chamber is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate double-walled steel explosion chamber anchored to a concrete foundation, and having a double-walled access door for charging new workpieces, and a double-walled vent door for discharging the products of the explosion. The double walls of the chamber, access door and vent door are filled with granular shock damping material such as silica sand, and the floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping bed such as pea gravel. Along the outside of the chamber are steel manifolds from which a linear array of vent pipes penetrates the double walls of the chamber, with each pipe terminating in a hardened steel orifice through which the explosion combustion products pass. Within the chamber, plastic polymer film bags containing water are suspended from steel wires over the explosive material, and at each end of the chamber..]. .Iadd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: ABC-Naco Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Donovan