Patents by Inventor Christian Genereux

Christian Genereux has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Flange forming device and method of forming a flange on a sheet metal part to reduce surface distortion
    Patent number: 11358204
    Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christian Genereux, Robert V. Degenhardt, Philip Trinh
  • FLANGE FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING A FLANGE ON A SHEET METAL PART TO REDUCE SURFACE DISTORTION
    Publication number: 20200009636
    Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christian Genereux, Robert V. Degenhardt, Philip Trinh
  • Impact reduction apparatus for stretch draw dies
    Patent number: 7316150
    Abstract: An accelerator cam set is provided that initiates movement of a binder ring against the force of spring elements, such as nitrogen cylinders. The accelerator cam set is engaged by a ram cam block that engages a transverse cam block that is moved transversely, or horizontally, into engagement with a binder cam block. The accelerator cam set may be used with a stretch draw die, double pad stretch draw die, or inverted toggle die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christian Genereux, Joseph Fornasiero, Evangelos Liasi