Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a structure with an integrated cable, strap, chain or the like for the purpose of vehicle lifting.

Abstract: A combat tactical modular vehicle structure including a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead a cab portion and a rear bulkhead where the center frame module includes an integrated armor so that the integrated armor is a part of center frame module or the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module, a front frame module comprising an engine subframe where the front frame module is connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices, and a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe where the rear frame module is connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection and the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection.

Abstract: A combat tactical modular vehicle structure including a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead a cab portion and a rear bulkhead where the center frame module includes an integrated armor so that the integrated armor is a part of center frame module or the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module, a front frame module comprising an engine subframe where the front frame module is connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices, and a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe where the rear frame module is connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection and the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a structure with an integrated cable, strap, chain or the like for the purpose of vehicle lifting.

Abstract: A combat tactical modular vehicle structure including a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead a cab portion and a rear bulkhead where the center frame module includes an integrated armor so that the integrated armor is a part of center frame module or the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module, a front frame module comprising an engine subframe where the front frame module is connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices, and a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe where the rear frame module is connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection and the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection.

Abstract: Friction-stir weldments and systems and methods for producing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a metal product includes a first metal plate having a first center-neutral axis, a second metal plate comprising a second center-neutral axis, and a friction-stir corner weld that connects the first metal plate to the second metal plate, where the first center-neutral axis of the first metal plate is transverse to the second center-neutral axis of the second metal plate. In another embodiment, a system for producing friction-stir weldments includes a backup anvil having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, where the first supporting face is adapted to receive and support the first metal plate, and where the second supporting face is adapted to receive and support a second metal plate, wherein the center-neutral axis of the first metal plate is transverse to the center-neutral axis of the second metal plate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger suitable for long term use in the unfiltered hot exhaust gas of an aluminum smelter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises fluid carrying tubes connected together with web members to form a cylindrical shell. A header located at each end of the cylindrical shell is provided for feeding fluid to and from the tubes of the heat exchanger. Shrouds can be placed over the headers to affect hot gas turbulence and help minimize scaling. The surfaces of the cylindrical shell, when in un-scrubbed exhaust gas of an aluminum smelter, will be in contact with particles and/or dust and possibly caustic fumes and, therefore, may be treated with a relevant slip coating selected, for example, from the Teflon family.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for calculating gripper trajectories in forming equipment. The method utilizes a computer aided design (CAD) or a computer aided engineering (CAE) computer program to calculate the appropriate location, speed, controller commands, and trajectory for each gripper used during a forming process.

Abstract: A method for determining a die profile for forming a metal part having a desired shape. The method includes the steps of providing a nominal die profile, determining a springback profile based on the nominal die profile and employing a compensation strategy to determine the die profile based on the nominal die profile and the springback profile. There are disclosed five (5) compensation strategies: (1) a reversed die-normal technique; (2) a reversed radial rotation technique; (3) a reversed resultant vector technique; (4) a reversed path technique; and (5) a mirror image of resultant vector technique. Associated methods of making a die based on the die profile determined above and making a metal part under a set of forming conditions from the die are also disclosed.

Abstract: A slide cutter assembly for use in sectioning lengths of a packaging material drawn from a roll. The device includes an elongated and shaped body. A first roll supporting portion is located at a first end of said body and a second roll supporting portion is likewise located at a second end of the body. A cutter assembly extends from a selected lengthwise extending edge of the body and upon which an unwound length of the packaging material comes into contact. The cutter assembly incorporates a traversable blade for sectioning from the roll the length of packaging material. The roll of packaging typically comes in a generally elongated and three-dimensional shaped packaging, the cutter device being constructed so that it may be supported within an interior defined by the packaging and upon first mounting the roll between the first and second roll supporting portions.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a panel out of a workpiece, the panel being substantially free of ripples and free of ruptures, includes forming a number of smooth bulges in the workpiece in order to effectively spread a quantity of excess material that results from forming a number of desirable features into the workpiece by taking up in the bulges an amount of material. The quantity, dimensions, locations, orientations, shapes, and configurations of the bulges with respect to the features are determined by an iterative process that examines the degree to which the excess material resulting from formation of the features is effectively spread about the panel. Effective material spreading can be characterized by at least one of reduced thickening of the workpiece, reduced amplitude of ripples in the workpiece, and increased period of the ripples. An improved panel formed according to the aforementioned process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A slide cutter assembly for use in sectioning lengths of a packaging material drawn from a roll. The device includes an elongated and shaped body. A first roll supporting portion is located at a first end of said body and a second roll supporting portion is likewise located at a second end of the body. A cutter assembly extends from a selected lengthwise extending edge of the body and upon which an unwound length of the packaging material comes into contact. The cutter assembly incorporates a traversable blade for sectioning from the roll the length of packaging material. The roll of packaging typically comes in a generally elongated and three-dimensional shaped packaging, the cutter device being constructed so that it may be supported within an interior defined by the packaging and upon first mounting the roll between the first and second roll supporting portions.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for determining a die profile for forming a metal part having a desired shape. The method includes the steps of providing a nominal die profile, determining a springback profile based on the nominal die profile and employing a compensation strategy to determine the die profile based on the nominal die profile and the springback profile. There are disclosed five (5) compensation strategies: (1) a reversed die-normal technique; (2) a reversed radial rotation technique; (3) a reversed resultant vector technique; (4) a reversed path technique; and (5) a mirror image of resultant vector technique. Associated methods of making a die based on the die profile determined above and making a metal part under a set of forming conditions from the die are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.

Abstract: A method of gripping a metal tubular member during a forming operation to resist damage to the gripped ends and reduce scrap, includes providing an outer tool having a recess structured to receive an end of the tubular member, inserting a resilient mandrel into the end of the tubular member and inserting the tubular member end into the recess. A compressive force is applied to the resilient member in a direction aligned generally axially of the tubular member to establish transverse expansion of the resilient member in order to clamp the tubular member end between the mandrel and the outer tool recess. The tube may be stretched beyond the yield point and formed while so clamped, after which the compressive force is removed so as to facilitate withdrawal of the formed tube. In one embodiment, the mandrel may consist of a composite which may have a lower durometer hardness inner portion and higher durometer hardness outer portions.