Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC

Dana Corporation

Spicer Driveshaft, Inc.

Boris A Yablochnikov

Donald W Dine

Johnny Neal Smith

Jack A Kummerow

Eve S Steigerwalt

Tom O'Neil

Aleksey B Yablochnikov

A method of forming a sliding spline-type joint using magnetic pulse forming technology includes providing a female driveshaft member and a splined insert having inwardly formed splines. A male driveshaft member is provided having outwardly formed splines engageable with the insert. A mandrel is provided having outer ribs similar to the outer spline profile of the male driveshaft member. An inductor is provided which is energized to create a pulse magnetic field. The insert is placed over the mandrel. The female driveshaft member is disposed over the insert, and both are placed inside the inductor. The inductor is energized to deform a portion of the female driveshaft member over the insert to form an array of crimps for permanently connecting the female driveshaft member with the insert. The male driveshaft member is engaged into the insert to provide a sliding spline-type of slip joint.

Magnetic pulse formed vehicle driveshaft and method of making same

A method of welding two workpieces together is described. A conductor in electrical communication with a pulse circuit is provided. A portion of the second workpiece is located adjacent the conductor. The two workpieces are also located together. A portion, or all, of one workpiece is welded to the other by applying a pulse current to one of the workpieces. A method of forming a workpiece is disclosed using a pulse current to move the workpiece into a desired shape.

Magnetic pulse welding and forming for plates

A constant velocity joint assembly, and a method of securing a shaft to the assembly, the joint assembly including an outer race with a first portion having a plurality of grooves and a second portion that extends from the first portion and is substantially parallel to the shaft. The method of securing the shaft to the assembly includes the step of magnetically pulse welding the shaft to the outer race.

Method of securing a shaft to a constant velocity joint

A constant velocity joint assembly and a method of securing a shaft to the assembly are described. The assembly may have an outer race with a first portion having a plurality of grooves and a second portion that extends from the first portion and is substantially parallel to the shaft. The method of securing the shaft to the assembly includes the step of magnetically pulse welding the shaft to the outer race.

Constant velocity joint assembly and method of securing a shaft to the assembly

A magnetic pulse welding operation is performed to secure first and second metallic components together, such as a yoke and a driveshaft tube in a vehicular driveshaft assembly. The yoke includes a first portion, such as a body portion, and a second portion, such as a pair of opposed yoke arms. The end of the driveshaft tube is disposed co-axially about the body portion of the yoke. An inductor axially is positioned co-axially about the overlapping portions of the end of the driveshaft tube and the body portion of the yoke. The inductor is energized to perform a magnetic pulse welding operation to secure the end of the driveshaft tube to the body portion of the yoke without generating a significant flow of air toward the inductor.

Method for securing a yoke to a tube using magnetic pulse welding techniques

The performance of a magnetic pulse forming or welding process is monitored by positioning a deformation member relative to an inductor coil of the apparatus, then energizing the inductor coil to exert a force thereon. The deformation member can be a plastically deformable tube, and the amount of such plastic deformation that occurs when the inductor coil is energized can be measured to determine the magnitude of the force that is generated by the inductor coil. Alternatively, the deformation member can be an elastically deformable body, and the amount of such elastic deformation that occurs when the inductor coil is energized can be measured to determine the magnitude of the force that is generated by the inductor coil. In both instances, the magnitude of the force that is generated by the inductor coil is representative of the performance of the magnetic pulse forming or welding process and can be used, when necessary, to adjust the parameters of the magnetic pulse forming or welding processes to maintain consistency in the operation thereof.

Method for monitoring the performance of a magnetic pulse forming or welding process

A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other.

Method of magnetic pulse welding an end fitting to a driveshaft tube of a vehicular driveshaft

An apparatus for supporting a workpiece, such as a yoke having a body portion and a pair of opposed yoke arms, during a magnetic pulse welding operation includes a lower jaw, an upper jaw, and a support pin extending therebetween. During the magnetic pulse welding operation, the lower and upper jaws of the support apparatus engage the opposed yoke arms, and the support pin extends through respective openings formed through the opposed yoke arms. The support apparatus can also include a counter die that is disposed between the lower jaw and the upper jaw and has an arcuate recess formed therein that receives the outer portions of the opposed yoke arms therein. Lastly, the support apparatus can further include a pair of positioning rails that engage the body portion of the yoke. As a result, the support apparatus prevents deformation of the opposed yoke arms and absorbs shock waves that can be propagated through the yoke during the magnetic pulse welding operation.

Apparatus for securing a yoke to a tube using magnetic pulse welding techniques

A magnetic pulse welding operation is performed to secure first and second metallic components together, such as a yoke and a driveshaft tube in a vehicular driveshaft assembly. The yoke includes a first portion, such as a body portion, and a second portion, such as a pair of opposed yoke arms, that are separated by a bridge portion. The end of the driveshaft tube is disposed co-axially about the body portion of the yoke, and a magnetic pulse welding operation is performed to secure the end of the driveshaft tube to the body portion of the yoke. The bridge portion can be defined by a groove formed in either the outer surface or the inner surface of the yoke. The groove may have side portions that extend either generally perpendicular or are angled or tapered relative to an axis of rotation of the yoke. If desired, a pair of opposed, semi-circular grooves may be formed in the yoke to define the bridge portion. The bridge portion allows the yoke arms to be elastically deformed and can also limit the propagation of shock waves through the yoke that can result from the performance of the magnetic pulse welding operation.

Yoke structure that is adapted to be secured to a tube using magnetic pulse welding techniques

A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other. The end fitting includes a body that is adapted to be received within the tubular member. The body includes an outer surface having a first portion that extends generally axially and a second portion that extends generally radially from the first portion. The outer surface includes a pocket formed in the second portion. The end fitting further includes a pair of arms extending from the body portion and having aligned apertures formed therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

Boris A Yablochnikov