Method of hydroforming a vehicle frame component
US6016603A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4994
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for hydroforming a closed channel structural member that allows the perimeter to be increased, but which maintains a relatively uniform wall thickness throughout, includes the initial step of disposing a closed channel structural member, such as a tube, within a first hydroforming die defining a first die cavity. The inner surface of the first die cavity corresponds in cross sectional shape to the outer surface of the tube, but the perimeter of the first die cavity is somewhat larger than the perimeter of the tube enclosed therein. A preliminary hydroforming operation is then performed at a relatively high pressure to expand the tube into conformance with the first die cavity. Throughout most of this expansion, the outer surface of the tube does not engage the inner surface of the die cavity. As a result, as the perimeter of the tube is increase, the wall thickness thereof is decreased uniformly. The preliminarily expanded tube is then disposed within a second hydroforming die defining a second die cavity. The inner surface of the second die cavity corresponds in cross sectional shape to the desired final shape for the tube. When the second hydroforming die is closed, a fi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.