Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Michael L Wenner

Charles J Bruggemann

Chongmin Kim

Wuhua Yang

A method is provided for forming a tube between a pair of dies. The tube is captured between a pair of dies having die surfaces constructed of an electrically non-conducting material defining a die cavity therein. The ends of the tube are sealed and electrical current is applied to the tube to induce electrical resistance heating of the tube. The interior of the tube is pressurized to expand the tube into the cavity to thereby form the heated tube.

Method for tube forming

A door beam arrangement is provided for a vehicle door having a door panel with a hinge mounting flange and a latch mounting flange. A first hollow tube of high-strength steel has one end fixedly mounted on one of the flanges, and a second end. A second hollow tube of a non-ferrous material has one end fixedly mounted on the other of the flanges and is of smaller diameter than the first hollow tube and inserted into the first hollow tube and is slidable therein to accommodate variations in the distance between the hinge mounting flange and the latch mounting flange.

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Oakland, MI, United States of America

Michael L Wenner