Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Richard Harrold

Gary D Grabaum

Paresh Patel

A transmission joint sealing boot comprising a flexible diaphragm member having a passageway extending therethrough, a first end defining an opening, an annular second end disposed opposite the first end, a flexible arcuate section connecting the first end and the annular second end of the flexible diaphragm member, the first end further including an inner surface and an outer surface, a bellows member having a passageway extending therethrough, the bellows member including a first end defining an opening, a second end disposed opposite the first end, and an intermediate bellows segment having a convoluted section disposed between the first end and the second end and connecting the first end and the second of the bellows member, wherein the second end defines an opening for receiving the first end of the flexible diaphragm member and the second end further including an inner surface and an outer surface, a magnetically active weld sleeve having an inner surface correspondingly shaped to mate with the outer surface of the first end of the diaphragm member such that the magnetically active weld sleeve is received on and abuts against the outer surface of the first end of the diaphragm member and an outer surface correspondingly shaped to mate with the inner surface of the second end of the bellows member such that the magnetically active weld sleeve and first end of the diaphragm are received within the opening of the bellows member whereby the magnetically active weld sleeve is disposed between the diaphragm member and the bellows member such that when the magnetically active weld is exposed to an electromagnetic field of current, the magnetically active weld sleeve melts and subsequently fuses the diaphragm member, the bellows member and weld sleeve together.

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Leonard, MI, United States of America

Richard Harrold