Hydroforming device and method
US7266982B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49805
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10, 110) and method to form a workpiece (32, 132) into a useful product (28, 128) using a pressurized fluid (14), also termed as “hydroforming”. The workpiece may be a tube or may be one or a plurality of sheets of a material. The apparatus has a chamber (12) adapted to contain a quantity of a fluid, a hydroforming means positioned within the chamber, and means for substantially immersing the workpiece in the fluid before, during and after the hydroforming operation. Dies (16, 18) enclose the workpiece and provide a cavity of desired shape against which the workpiece is expanded by the pressurized fluid. The chamber may be open or closed to the atmosphere during operation and the fluid temperature and/or level may be controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.