Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Adams

Kenneth R. Adams 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).

  • Publication number: 20160244855
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hot formed part (20), such an automotive body component, is provided. The method includes heating a steel blank (22) to an austenite temperature, and quickly transferring the heated blank (22) to a hot forming apparatus (28). The method then includes forming the heated blank (22) between a pair of dies (24, 26), and trimming, piercing, shearing, or otherwise cutting the heated blank (22) or hot formed part (20) in the hot forming apparatus (28). The cutting step occurs while the microstructure of the steel blank (22) is substantially austenite, for example at a temperature of 400° C. to 850° C. The method can provide a hot formed part (20) having a desired shape in a single die stroke, without the need for a costly post-forming operation outside of the hot forming apparatus (28), such as laser trimming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Edward K. Steinebach, Mark Justin Jones, Jeremiah John Brady, Kenneth R. Adams