Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing an electrically conductive part through electrochemistry is disclosed. The cathode electrode is configured so as to fit simultaneously in one or more windows or pockets or in a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention a disc-covering cathode electrode is provided that can simultaneously finish all of the windows and pockets using an electrolyte.

Abstract: A two piece vehicle wheel having a wheel rim secured to a wheel disc by a locking member which is received by complementary grooves formed in the wheel rim and the wheel disc. A layer of resilient material forms a seal between the wheel rim and the wheel disc. The sealing material can included an adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a wheel rim heat shrunk onto a wheel disc and mechanically secured to the wheel disc by an interlocking segmented grooves and beads, and a method for fabricating same. A resilient material including an adhesive is disposed between the wheel disc and the wheel rim. The adhesive bonds the wheel rim to the wheel disc while the resilient material forms air-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A plated vehicle wheel having non-plated tire bead seats and a process for forming same. The process includes masking a portion of the tire bead seats before plating the wheel. The process also includes forming the tire bead seats with an oversized diameter. Following plating, the tire bead seats are machined to a final diameter. The process can further include thermally depositing a layer of a ceramic material over a portion of the tire bead seat surface. The plating does not adhere to the ceramic material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vehicle wheel having a wheel rim mechanically rolled onto a wheel disc. The wheel disc includes at least one continuous circumferential bead or groove. During the rolling operation a complementary groove or bead is formed in the wheel rim. The bead is received by the groove to mechanically secure to the wheel rim to the wheel disc. A resilient material including an adhesive is disposed between the wheel disc and the wheel rim. The adhesive bonds the wheel rim to the wheel disc while the resilient material forms air-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel mold defining a mold cavity having a wheel rim cavity and a wheel disc cavity includes a large mass of metal adjacent to the outboard end of the wheel rim cavity and a small mass of metal adjacent to the inboard end of the wheel rim cavity. The mold also includes tapered side segments having a portion adjacent to the inboard end of the wheel rim cavity which is formed from a metal having a first conductivity of heat transfer. The side segments further have a second portion adjacent to the outboard end of the wheel rim cavity which is formed from a second metal having a second conductivity of heat transfer which is greater than the conductivity of heat transfer of the first portion. Molten metal in the mold cavity initially begins to solidify in the outboard end of the wheel rim cavity.

Abstract: A plated vehicle wheel having non-plated tire bead seats and a process for forming same. The process includes masking a portion of the tire bead seats before plating the wheel. The process also includes forming the tire bead seats with an oversized diameter. Following plating, the tire bead seats are machined to a final diameter. The process can further include thermally depositing a layer of a ceramic material over a portion of the tire bead seat surface. The plating does not adhere to the ceramic material.

Abstract: A layer of material is thermally sprayed onto a portion of the surface of a vehicle wheel rim drop well with an arc plasma spray gun. Before spraying, the drop well surface is prepared by removing any dirt, oil and oxides. The sprayed layer has a greater density than the metal forming the wheel rim and reduces the porosity of the drop well.

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: 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 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: 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.