Hydroform tube and method of forming

US9822908B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Scott Mair · Woodhaven, US
• Steven William Gallagher · Bloomfield Hills, US
• Joshua Jacob Clement · Dearborn, US
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk · Beverly Hills, US
• Jon A. Wilcox · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Jul 11, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L9/006
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydroform tube includes a first end and a second end. The hydroform tube includes a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side, and a fillet extending from the first side to the second side. The first side, the second side, and the fillet extend from the first end to the second end. The plurality of sides form different shapes at two cross-sections between the first end and the second end. The tube has substantially the same perimeter P at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end. The fillet has a radius R. The radius R is defined by a same formula at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end.