Aluminum Company of America

Dana Corporation

Daniel E Hunter

Jeffrey M Shoup

Ho Yu

Daniel Bergstrom

Robert A Ramser

Lawrence W Cisko

Blair T Allison

William A Graham

Jeffrey A Nicol

Richard A Marando

Walter R Reichelt

Eric M Schrack

Jeffrey P Dziki

Joseph J Vasalani, Iii

Edward Drost

Peter J Coppola

Klaus Ruehle

Dirk Schnapp

James C Larkin

Rodney Heiple

A hydroforming apparatus includes upper and lower platens that are connected together by tie rods extending through respective compression tubes. An upper die section is carried on the upper platen by a generally C-shaped suspension arm, while a lower die section is carried on the lower platen. The upper and lower die sections have recessed areas formed therein that define a die cavity. Lift assemblies are provided on the lateral ends of the hydroforming apparatus for selectively elevating the lower die section upwardly into engagement with the upper die section. When the lower die section is elevated by the lift assemblies, a workpiece is enclosed within the die cavity. A bolster is then moved between the hydroforming die and the lower platen. A cylinder array containing a plurality of pistons is next hydraulically actuated so as to securely clamp the hydroforming die between the cylinder array and the lower platen. While the cylinder array is actuated, pressurized fluid is supplied within the workpiece, deforming it into conformance with the die cavity.

Apparatus for performing a hydroforming operation

An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.

Structural component for vehicle body-in-white

A method of gripping a metal tubular member during a forming operation to resist damage to the gripped ends and reduce scrap, includes providing an outer tool having a recess structured to receive an end of the tubular member, inserting a resilient mandrel into the end of the tubular member and inserting the tubular member end into the recess. A compressive force is applied to the resilient member in a direction aligned generally axially of the tubular member to establish transverse expansion of the resilient member in order to clamp the tubular member end between the mandrel and the outer tool recess. The tube may be stretched beyond the yield point and formed while so clamped, after which the compressive force is removed so as to facilitate withdrawal of the formed tube. In one embodiment, the mandrel may consist of a composite which may have a lower durometer hardness inner portion and higher durometer hardness outer portions. In another embodiment, a substantially rigid mandrel is received within the tube end and an annular resilient sleeve is positioned on the outside of the tube end. The method may be used for a wide variety of purposes including forming structural vehicular members. Associated apparatus is provided.

Method of gripping tubular members during forming operations and

Apparatus and a method for forming an elongated workpiece are provided. In a first embodiment, a press has a ram and movable upper platen to which is secured a first die. Upper guide members are provided on the upper platen for movement of slide members on each responsive to movement of the platen. Lower guide elements, which cooperate in a telescoping manner with upper guide members, are secured to a lower platen. The first die cooperates with a pair of rotatable second die members which are provided with each being rotatable responsive to movement of a slide member. In a preferred embodiment, the upper guide members secured to the platens are in relative sliding contact and links connect the slide members with the rotatable second dies. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated metal workpiece may be formed by bending under the influence of the forces applied to the first die and second die members through the upper platen by the press ram. In a second embodiment, the press first die and associated guide members are not employed and forming is effected by the second die members. Associated methods are provided.

Apparatus for forming elongated metal articles and related method

A method of quenching a metal object having steps of: (a) providing a liquid coolant having a temperature from about 100.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F. and containing about 0.01 to about 0.1 standard cubic feet of carbon dioxide gas per gallon of water dissolved therein; and (b) spraying the liquid coolant on the metal object to quench the metal object.

Spray quenching of metal with liquid coolant containing dissolved gas

A method of quenching a metal object comprising: (a) providing a reservoir of liquid coolant containing gas that has been dissolved therein; and (b) immersing the metal object in the reservoir to quench the metal. The gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide and is preferably carbon dioxide. The gas is preferably maintained within the range of 0.001 to 0.2 standard cubic feet of gas per gallon of coolant. The liquid coolant is preferably water. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir of liquid coolant is open to ambient pressure and temperature.

Method of heat treating metal with liquid coolant containing dissolved

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Export, PA, United States of America

Daniel E Hunter