End sealing for superplastic tube forming
US6081982A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49865
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for superplastically forming a tube of superplastic material to make a part includes sealing both ends of the tube with end caps to provide a sealed enclosed volume within the tube. At least one of the end caps has a connection that communicates between the enclosed volume and a gas line for connection to a gas management system for controlling forming gas pressure inside the enclosed space. The tube is inserting in a die and the connection is coupled to a gas supply line from said gas management system for supplying forming gas under pressure to said enclosed volume. The die and the tube are heated to the superplastic forming temperature for said material, and gas is introduced from the gas management system for pressurizing the enclosed volume with pressurized forming gas and for expanding the tube against the internal surfaces of the die. After forming the tube, the pressurized forming gas is vented from the enclosed volume, the expanded tube is cooled, and the expanded tube is removed from the die. Finally, the end portions of the tube, including the end caps, are removed from the tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.