Hydraulic pressure forming using a self aligning and activating die system
US6510720B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49805
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a hydroforming system and method eliminating the need for a solid steel die (or mold) set operated by a conventional high tonnage hydraulic press. The invention utilizes a fabricated or bar-stock die set integrated to a series of adjustably placed hydraulic cylinders to create a self-contained operating unit. The system can include a die set, a plurality of activation and clamping hydraulic cylinders, a computer control system and reinforcement and support structures. The die set can be a mounted lower die half and an adjacent movable upper die half, each constructed of individual pieces of plate or bar stock. The computer control system interprets incoming linear position data from all of the activation hydraulic cylinders and monitors and controls hydraulic fluid flow into and out of each cylinder. The system can also have a plurality of support pillars affixed to the lower die half.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.