Patents by Inventor Terry Andrew Kent

Terry Andrew Kent 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).

  • Punch for piercing and sealing hydroformed parts
    Patent number: 6658908
    Abstract: A punch for piercing and sealing hydroforming parts has a roll forming surface that produces an internal rolled edge portion in a formed part immediately following the punch piercing the part wherein the rolled edge portion acts to effect a tight high pressure seal between the part and the punch as the punch continues to form a required hole in the part. The roll-forming surface extends either partially or completely about the punch in determining the extent of the rolled edge portion in the part that it produces and is located between an end portion that effects the piercing operation and a larger finishing portion that completes the formation of the required hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mircea M Ghiran, Terry Andrew Kent, Benjamin D Kaufman