Dana Corporation

Gail M Cunningham

Randall F Alder

James Carl Canfield

Harjinder Singh

David R Fish

A method of dampening fluid-borne noise in an automotive power steering system in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates provision of a power steering fluid hose having a laminated inner tube surrounded by a reinforcing outer tube. The inner tube has a resilient inner layer with a radial thickness Tand a resilient outer layer with a radial thickness T. The inner layer is softer than the outer layer and is bonded by vulcanization to the outer layer. The radial thicknesses Tand Thave a ratio selected to dampen fluid-borne noise within a preselected frequency range by elastic expansion of the inner and outer layers.

Fluid-borne noise suppression in an automotive power steering system

A method of manufacturing a fuel rail for use in a fuel delivery system, such as for an engine in a vehicle, includes the initial hydroforming step to deform a central portion of a workpiece to have one or more outwardly extending node portions, followed by a subsequent hydroforming step to deform one or more end portions of the workpiece to have additional outwardly extending node portions. To do this, a pair of pressure feed pistons are disposed within the interior of the workpiece and have head portions that sealingly engage the inner surface of the workpiece so as to define a pressure chamber therein. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber so as to deform a portion thereof into conformance with the portion of the die cavity located within the pressure chamber. Then, the pressure feed pistons are moved to re-define the pressure chamber within the workpiece. Pressurized fluid is again introduced into the enlarged pressure chamber so as to deform other portions of the workpiece. The deformed workpiece is lastly subjected to conventional machining and/or metal working operations to provide a final fuel rail.

Method of hydroforming a fuel rail for a vehicular fuel delivery system

A pressure fluid conduit coupling fitting and method of making same, wherein the nipple tube fitting shank is made of specially grooved rigid material. A conventional elastomeric hose conduit having an open end telescopically receives the grooved fitting shank, and a conventional crimp-collar is sleeved over and shrunk-deformed onto the hose open end to permanently sealably secure the coupled conduit connection. An external circumferential surface of the fitting shank has one or more circumferentially continuous sharp edge external grooves of a shallow depth and predetermined width that are defined by the shank ribs formed between the grooves. The junction of the groove sidewalls with the respectively adjacent shank rib surface defines a circumferentially continuous sharp edge formed generally as a 90&deg; junction of these groove sidewalls and rib surface, plus or minus a few degrees. These specially contoured sharp edge, shallow depth external grooves enhance the fluid sealing capacity (pressure rating) of the coupling connection while reducing the magnitude of collar shrink crimping required, and minimize the chances of hose damage because of over-crimping.

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Oxford, MI, United States of America

Gail M Cunningham