Compression Die (e.g., Swaging) Patents (Class 72/370.13)
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Patent number: 11325174Abstract: A method for chipless production of a rotationally symmetrical body from a circular sheet metal blank shapes the circular sheet metal blank into a pot-shaped body by pressing or pressure rolling around an inner mandrel, and a hub-shaped projection protruding outward from the base of the pot-shaped body is molded on by pressing around a central projection. The circular sheet metal blank is clamped only in the radial inner region of the blank in the axial direction between the inner mandrel and at least one projection during the shaping process.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignees: Winkelmann Powertrain Components GmbH & Co. KG, WF-MASCHINENBAU UND BLECHFORMTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Heiko Ohlscher, Christian Malkemper, Bernd Rudert, Karl-Heinz Hecker
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Patent number: 8986126Abstract: Structure of a cross universal joint is achieved in which the fact that an excessive torque was applied to a universal joint due to a collision accident or mishandling can be easily determined afterwards. Protrusions 20, which are straight lines as seen from the outside surface sides of linking arm sections 15c of a yoke 12c, are formed on the outside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c. When an excessive torque acts and the linking arm sections 15c are plastically deformed, the protrusions 20 change from a straight line to a non-straight line. From this change it is possible to easily confirm that an excessive torque has been applied to a cross universal joint that includes this yoke 12c. Moreover, when the space between the inside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be D, and the length in the axial direction of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be L, the dimensions of the parts of the yoke 12c are regulated so that the relation 3<L/D?4 is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Hagiwara, Kaname Yasuda, Minao Umeda, Kazuho Chikaraishi, Tadashi Hibino, Hiroki Mizuno, Masahiro Inoue, Masaharu Igarashi, Osamu Tatewaki, Kiyoshi Sadakata
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Publication number: 20150053697Abstract: A high strength dual-swaged airbag inflator vessel comprising a high strength metal material, such as low carbon steel, has a swaged terminal end defining two distinct swaged portions. A reduction of diameter within one of the swaged portions is restricted to be less than or equal to about 30% and in certain variations, less than or equal to about 16% to minimize cold work strain hardening and to reduce loss of ductility. In certain aspects, a second swaged portion within the swaged terminal end has a length of less than or equal to about 10 mm. Methods for making such a dual-swaged airbag inflator vessel are likewise provided. Such dual swage designs have improved reliability and performance in high pressure inflator applications, as well as reduced manufacturing costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Shawn Lang, Ken Clark
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Patent number: 8939317Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a container body (8), comprising the steps of: i) providing a round container body (8); ii) forming at least one circumferential bead (2) in the container body (8); and iii) axially compressing the container body (8) to kink and axially close the kinked bead (10), and to such container body (8) and container comprising same.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Impress Group B.V.Inventor: Johan Willem Roeterdink
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Patent number: 8869583Abstract: An apparatus and method for swaging a square or rectangular tube, the apparatus including a support for external dies, both surface dies and corner dies, which when actuated, apply pressure to the outside of a tube to achieve its swaging to a lesser dimension, and having a collapsible mandrel located therein, supporting internal dies, that apply a lesser pressure against the interior of the tube, during a swaging operation, to assure that wall buckling does not occur. An internal die with its removing tool may locate within the end of the tube to be swaged to cooperate with the pressure from the external dies to swage the tube without any final buckling.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Tublar USA, Inc.Inventors: Carl Meiners, Mark Meiners, Rob Meiners
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Patent number: 8595936Abstract: The one end side portion is nipped by a jig including a jig member having a pair of convex portions which are to be fitted to a depressions in contact with a tooth side face and a inclined portion and positioning a bar and a jig member which is to be clamped/opened with respect to the jig member. A die having an inside diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery is pressed onto the outer periphery of the end portion of the cylindrical end side portion projected from the jig up to a press-in depth determined preliminarily based on the rack, so as to reduce the diameter of the end portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Neturen Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Yamawaki, Ryosuke Suzuki, Tetsuji Murata, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Yutaka Kiyosawa
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Patent number: 8539675Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stabilizer bar for a vehicle includes cutting a stabilizer bar material having a round bar-shaped configuration, heating both end portions of the cut stabilizer bar material to be formed as leg bars of the stabilizer bar, rolling both side surfaces of each of both heated end portions of the stabilizer bar material so that both side surfaces are tapered, rotating the stabilizer bar material about an axis thereof between rollers to taper both remaining non-rolled side surfaces of each of both end portions of the stabilizer bar material to be formed as the leg bars of the stabilizer bar, so that each or both end portions of the stabilizer bar material has an elliptical cross-section, forming eyes on distal ends of the stabilizer bar material, and bending the stabilizer bar material into the shape of the stabilizer bar.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Dae Won Kang Up Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chan-Gi Jung
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Patent number: 8474300Abstract: A gripping surface is provided on an outer surface of a needle shield as incorporated into an intravenous catheter assembly. The gripping surface provides a gripping position nearer the catheter adapter, catheter and needle tip for improved balance and control of the catheter assembly during insertion of the catheter. Additionally, the gripping surfaces include a guard feature to prevent a user's unintended contact with various components of the catheter assembly whereby the contact may result in an undesirable “over the bevel” condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Austin Jason McKinnon, Edward G. Henderson, III, S. Ray Isaacson, Bart D. Peterson
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Publication number: 20130087106Abstract: A method for producing steam generator tubes is provided. The method is intended to allow a technically particularly simple production process and at the same time allow particularly high flexibility with regards to the materials that may be used to achieve a particularly high efficiency of a steam generator. For this purpose, an insert is fixed in slots of a former shaft, the former shaft with the insert is introduced into a steam generator tube, the fixing of the insert on the former shaft is released and the former shaft is removed again from the steam generator tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Inventors: Jan Brückner, Martin Effert, Joachim Franke, Lars Klemm
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Patent number: 8302449Abstract: A closing machine (1) for closing an open end of a work piece (9) by pressing a die (4) against the work piece (9) rotating about an axial center comprises a chuck spindle (20) that drives the work piece (9) to rotate, a chuck sliding support mechanism (62) that supports the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in a rotary axis direction relative to the chuck spindle (20), and a thrust stopper (6) that causes an end portion of the work piece (9), which is moved by a load applied from the die (4), to abut against the thrust stopper (6) such that the work piece (9) is supported in a predetermined closing position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keisuke Mishima
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Patent number: 8261424Abstract: A spring plunger for insertion into an aperture, the spring plunger including a body having a recess and a proximal opening to the recess surrounded by a chamfered rim with the chamfered rim extending at least partially across the recess. A coil spring and plunger are retained within the recess, with the plunger abutting the coil spring and contacting the chamfered rim. Also, a method of manufacturing a spring plunger and a method of use.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Northwestern Tools, Inc.Inventors: James Thomeczek, Scott Williamson
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Publication number: 20120169045Abstract: A screwed pipe connection for connecting a pipeline including a connection end having a formed wall region. The screwed pipe connection includes a connection part and a union joint part. Proceeding from the end face of the connection end of the pipeline, an outside cross-section of the pipeline increases and is larger than the nominal outside cross-section, then decreases again. Proceeding from the end face, a clear inside cross-section of the connection end is larger than the nominal inside cross-section and decreases to the nominal inside cross-section. The wall thickness on the end face is smaller than the nominal wall thickness, and wherein an inner material difference, resulting from the deviation of the inside cross-section from the nominal inside cross-section, and an outer material difference, resulting from the deviation of the outside cross-section from the nominal outside cross-section, deviate from one another by a maximum of 30 percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Gerd Berghaus, Harald Pott
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Publication number: 20120137746Abstract: A swaging machine comprising an inner die assembly and an outer die assembly. The inner die assembly includes die parts that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that contacts an inside surface circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set. The outer die assembly includes one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Lennox Hearth Products LLCInventors: Eric Brunette, Francois Sauve, Staphane Dufour, Guy Bourrelle
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Patent number: 8117881Abstract: A press-molding device (80) press molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an, inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9).Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke Mishima, Hirofumi Kuroda
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Patent number: 7950153Abstract: A method of manufacturing a steering rack for a vehicle rack and pinion steering system. The rack comprises gear teeth and a shank that has a constant outside diameter and constant wall thickness over the majority of its length. The method comprises performing a forging operation on a tubular member with an elongate member positioned in the bore of a thickened region of the tubular member. The forging operation forms the gear teeth on the thickened region, and the elongate member is retained within the tubular member. The tubular member is made by performing a forming operation on a length of tube stock such that the outside diameter of the thickened region is smaller than the outside diameter of the shank, and the wall thickness of the thickened region is larger than the wall thickness of the shank.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Bishop Innovation LimitedInventor: Juergen Dohmann
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Patent number: 7895875Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the stress state of compressed ends of compressed tubes are disclosed. The methods and systems may provide a reduced tensile residual stress state, or even a compressive residual stress state. Tube products produced from the same are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: John A. Dickson, Dan Gadbery, Duane Bendzinski
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Publication number: 20110005292Abstract: A method of forming a hollow curled portion on a hollow body, the curled portion being oriented from one end to the other end of the hollow body. The method includes a bending step of curving an end of the hollow body toward another end of the hollow body, thereby forming a curled portion, an ironing step of ironing the curled portion with a die, and a recurving step of stopping the die from ironing the curled portion and allowing the curled portion to recurve under its own resiliency in a direction opposite to the direction in which the end of the hollow body has been curved. The ironing step and the recurving step are repeated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsunenari Futagi, Nobuyuki Kakiya, Tadahisa Akiyama, Ikuo Kato, Akitoshi Uchiumi
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Patent number: 7861572Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for producing tubes that are at least partially profiled on their interior and preferably on their exterior from a hollow cylindrical blank (3), using a mechanical cold forming method, wherein the end of the blank (3) that is not to be machined (3?) is fed to a clamping device (10). The blank (3) is then secured in the clamping device (10) and a mandrel (2) is subsequently inserted into the end of region (3) of the blank (3) that is to be machined. A lance (8) is guided in the mandrel so that it can be coaxially displaced in a longitudinal direction and the free end of the lance (8?) can be introduced into the clamping device (10). The tip (8?) of the lance (8) is then brought into a positive fit with the clamping device (10) in the axial direction of the blank (3) and the mandrel (2), together with the clamping device (10) and the blank (3) is guided axially through a fixed machining point (6).Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Ernst Grob AGInventor: Peter Geser
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Patent number: 7794852Abstract: A flanged plate (1) for a rolling-lobe air spring has on its rounded portion an annular, closed, concave, rounded holding recess (13) which has a circular arcuate shape. The plate is provided with the recess before surface treatment. A correspondingly shaped holding bead (16) in the upper flanging tool (3) engages in this holding recess and form-tightly holds the tool (3) and the flanged plate (1). In this way, sharp-edged holding grooves, which can damage the surface of the flanged plate, are unnecessary. The flanging method, the flanging device, the flanged plate and the rolling-lobe air spring provided with a flanged plate of the above type are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: ContiTech Luftfedersysteme GmbHInventors: Gerd Morig, Wolfgang Gnirk, Bernd Reich
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Patent number: 7591164Abstract: A method of manufacturing a splined member avoids the generation of waste material and minimizes the amount of dimensional inaccuracies. A hollow cylindrical workpiece is initially provided from a material having a relatively high elongation characteristic. The material used to form the workpiece may be AA-5154 grade aluminum alloy having an elongation characteristic that is in the range of from about 20% to about 30%, preferably in the range of from about 22% to about 28%, and most preferably about 25%. A mandrel having a plurality of external splines is inserted within workpiece, and the workpiece is deformed into engagement with the mandrel to form a splined member using a swaging process, such a rotary swaging or feed swaging. The splined member is thus formed having a plurality of internal splines and a cylindrical outer surface. The use of the swaging process avoids the generation of waste material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Thomas J. Keller
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Patent number: 7549312Abstract: A concentric machining device for a roller includes a movable upper base, a stationary lower base, two movable mold seats, two slide rods and four first hydraulic cylinders. Each of the mold seats has a forming mold inside, the forming mold has a fitting hole with an enlarged conical opening at the front side thereof, a locating shaft is received in the forming mold of the first mold seat and penetrates the fitting hole thereof and the first cylinder member, a clamping shaft is received in the forming mold of the second mold seat and penetrates the fitting hole thereof and the second hydraulic cylinder to connect with the fourth hydraulic cylinder. The roller is held by the bases and the shafts via two of the hydraulic cylinders and both ends of the roller are machined by the forming molds in the mold seats to provide squeezed and shrunk shapes once the mold seats are actuated by the other two hydraulic cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Inventor: Te-Li Huang
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Patent number: 7530252Abstract: After insertion of a mandrel (23) into a blank tube (20) in the form of an electric welded tube, a parallel swaging operation is carried out by moving a cylindrical die (24) to cause the end of the blank tube (20) to contact tightly with a parallel forming portion (27) of the mandrel (23). After completion of parallel swaging operation, the die (24) is withdrawn out of the blank tube (20) and a push-die (33) is caused to move to the blank tube (20) from a radially outward position while leaving the mandrel (23) inside the blank tube (20) so that a weld bead on the blank tube (20) can be flattened by cooperation with the mandrel (23).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hitachi SeisakushoInventors: Makoto Nishimura, Masaru Kouyama
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Publication number: 20090107203Abstract: A press-molding device (80) molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2006Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTDInventors: Keisuke Mishima, Hirofumi Kuroda
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Publication number: 20090014082Abstract: A rotary swaging method for the tapering of metal tubes is disclosed. The method comprises the use of a rotary swaging machine comprising a die comprising a die taper comprising a length of greater than about 12 inches, a diameter reduction of greater than about 30%, and/or a taper angle of less than about 12 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventor: James R. Cannaley
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Publication number: 20070290505Abstract: A sealing structure formed at an end of a heat pipe, includes a two-layer structure, which can be divided into two walls and a rib interconnecting the walls together, wherein the rib points to a center of the heat pipe. A method for manufacturing the sealing structure includes following steps: (1) providing a metallic pipe with an end sealed and an opposite open portion; (2) pressing the open portion of the pipe to form the two-layer sealing structure by using a pair of pressing molds, wherein the pair of pressing molds comprises a first pressing mold and a second pressing mold, the first mold having an M-shaped convex portion, the second mold having an M-shaped concave portion corresponding to the convex portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: CHENG-HUI LIN, JING-LIAO LI, WEI YU
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Patent number: 6961998Abstract: Hollow shafts, and particularly camshafts, are produced using an internal high-pressure forming (IHF) process. Cams and/or machine elements are mounted at intervals onto the outer surface of the hollow shaft, depending on the use of the latter, by a non-positive and/or positive fit, in a position appropriate to their function when the hollow shaft is placed in the forming tool. An element with approximately the same external diameter as the internal diameter of the hollow shaft is placed in at least one of the hollow shaft, and the hollow shaft together with the cams and/or machine elements that have been pushed onto the same and the inserted element are placed in an IHF tool. Once the IHF tool is closed, the medium is caused to act under the required high-pressure in the hollow shaft. At the same time as the medium is acting internally, at least one ram is pressed axially against at least one front face of the hollow shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Salzgitter Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bodo Furchheim, Franz-Josef Schleifstein
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Patent number: 6935026Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel bearing assembly for motor vehicles with a bearing provided with an inner ring and an outer ring, the bearing being fitted with its outer ring into a bearing casing and the outer ring being mechanically supported in axial direction on a first side by a supporting surface provided on the bearing casing. Discrete and preferably evenly arranged stop protrusions are formed on the inner circumference of the bearing casing, the outer ring abutting thereon in axial direction on its second side, and the stop protrusions being formed by locally plastic forming the bearing casing.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Johannes Frantzen
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Patent number: 6832502Abstract: An apparatus for swaging an end of a tubular (22) is described as comprising a swaging head (17) for providing the swage to the end of the tubular (22). The swaging head (17) has two or more formations (22A, 22B) provided thereon to permit swaging of differing diameters of tubular ends. The apparatus may comprise a stop plate (5, 9) for abutment against the other end of a tubular (22) where the swaging head (17) and the stop plate (5, 9) are movably coupled to one another. The apparatus may have a clamping device (4) for clamping the tubular (22), where the clamping device is split into at least three part-circular clamping segments (30) which clamp around the outer circumference of the tubular to permit it to be swaged. The clamping device (4) may have a plurality of teeth (35) for gripping the outer surface of the tubular (22), and a plurality of grooves 36 formed between the teeth (35).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignees: Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering Co. Ltd., Maxtube LimitedInventors: Ronald Whyte, Joseph K. Mudge, Thomas K. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 6802366Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for inserting a cooling tube into a metal component to remove heat generated at the surface by flowing fluid through the tube, thereby cooling the metal component. A cooling tube is placed into a groove of a metal component having first and second surfaces, where the width of the groove at the surfaces is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cooling tube. The metal component also has two ridges: a first ridge on one end of the groove at the first surface of the metal component, and a second ridge on the other end of the groove at the second surface of the metal component. After the cooling tube is placed in the groove of the metal component, the cooling tube is swaged into the groove of the metal component by applying pressure to the first and second ridges until the first ridge, second ridge, and cooling tube are flush with the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.Inventors: Steve Dillon, Justin Mauck
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Patent number: 6742236Abstract: Techniques are described for making one-piece tubes for surgical instruments in which an inner tube that carries a cutting implement is disposed for movement within an outer tube having a cutting window that exposes the cutting implement to tissue. Swaging is performed to close an end of a tubular member that is to serve as either the inner tube or the outer tube. Other processing steps are also performed. For example, a selected amount of a protrusion formed by the swaging is cut away, the tube material is fused together at a seam formed by the swaging, and the closed distal end of the tubular member is formed into a selected shape. For example, the selected shape is rounded so that the distal end defines convex (e.g., substantially hemispherical) interior and exterior distal surfaces. This renders the tube suitable for use in full-radius surgical instruments. Alternatively, the selected shape is flattened so that the distal end defines flattened interior and exterior distal surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Ernest A. Dion, Ronald A. Mayville, Joop F. Hoekstra, John L. O'Brien
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Patent number: 6662423Abstract: A drive shaft is produced from an aluminum alloy torque tube and aluminum alloy yokes that are pressed into each end section of the torque tube and welded to the end of the torque tube. Each end section is reduced in diameter and joined to a larger central section by a transition section. The end sections and transition sections are formed by swaging the ends of an aluminum alloy tube blank radially inwardly in two stages. The transition sections include an annular rib in the form of a concentric circular band located midway between inner and outer conical portions. The annular ribs stiffen the transition sections to reduce oil canning and noise.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Mark S. Barrett
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Patent number: 6412385Abstract: An apparatus for fully resizing the base of belted magnum cartridge cases, which is comprised of a threaded tube that is secured to the head of a reloading press. This threaded tube utilizes a collet that fits over most belted cartridge casings. This collet is then pressed into the bore of the threaded tube so that the outside diameter, at the base of the cartridge casing, can be reduced to the size that it was before being fired.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Inventor: Larry A. Willis
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Patent number: 6263720Abstract: A method including the following successive operations carried out on a tube section: a) swaging one end to form at least two longitudinal strips folded down edge to edge and radially projecting outwards; b) cutting out the external projection of the strips to obtain at least two longitudinally separate tabs; and c) shaping the tabs into wings. The method can be used for making stirrups or fork joints at the end of a tubular part. It can also be used to produce semirigid axles or cradles for motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Vallourec Composants Automobiles VitryInventor: Daniel Valin
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Patent number: 6247346Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum drive shaft for automobiles or trucks or other drive shaft applications from aluminum alloy tube and methods for making drive shafts. The method includes (a) providing an 6000 series type alloy hollow elongate tube; and (b) reducing the diameter of at least one portion of the hollow elongate tube to form a reduced diameter section and transition section between the reduced diameter section and the tube; the transition section having at least three subsections: i. a first subsection having a first slope; ii. a second subsection having a second slope; and iii. a third subsection located between the first and second subsections having a third slope which is less than the first and second slopes, the third section forming a circumferential step to stiffen the transition section. The drive shafts can also be made of metals other than aluminum alloys.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventor: John A. Dickson, Jr.