Method and apparatus for hydroforming metallic tube
US6237382A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49805
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for hydroforming a metallic tube comprising primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming, wherein in the primary hydroforming step, the metallic tube is formed such that a circumferential length of an expanded portion of the primary-hydroformed tube as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion becomes substantially equal to or slightly shorter than a circumferential length of an expanded portion of a product as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion, and in the secondary hydroforming step, movable forming plates incorporated in the dies press the expanded portion formed through primary hydroforming so as to finish the cross-sectional profile of the expanded portion into that of the expanded portion of the product, and said primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming are continuously performed within the dies. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the hydroformation method. According to the method of the present invention, high liquid pressure is not required, and reduction in wall thickness and shape defects can be prevented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.