Raised-center axle and process for forming
US7401490B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2300/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cold-formed, raised-center axle for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a central tube having a pair of ends, a pair of spindles attached to the central tube ends, and a wall thickness of from about 0.500 to about 0.625 inches. A hump is formed in the center portion of the tube and includes compressive residual stresses in its bottom portion when the axle is in an in-service position. A method for forming the raised-center axle includes the steps of providing a substantially straight axle, inserting the axle into a press, over-forming a hump in the axle in the direction such that camber is induced in the axle, and forming the axle in a second direction, thereby substantially removing the camber and replacing a detrimental residual stress state in the humped portion of the axle with a beneficial residual stress state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.