Magna International Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

Thomas James Oetjens

Thomas Lome Chartrand

Wei Ping Li

Jeffrey A Abell

Jeffrey J Ronning

Boris Shulkin

Timothy Walter Skszek

Xiaoping Niu

Yogesh Mehta

Lars Y Hessman

Thomas Lorne Chartrand

Alexander Paul Oetjens

A method for improving a hemispherical dome test includes calculating a forming limit diagram (FLD) based on a plurality of simulated data associated with a sheet metal transformation technique. The method also includes performing zero friction analysis on the sheet metal transformation technique. The method also includes shifting the FLD based on the zero friction analysis.

Shifting a forming limit curve based on zero friction analysis

A method of manufacturing a structural component having tailored material properties by applying an IR-absorbent coating to a substrate formed of a ferrous-based, aluminum-based, magnesium-based, or fiber reinforced composite material is provided. The coating is preferably formed of iron oxide (FeO) decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes. Alternatively, the coating is wax-based or polymer-based and includes TriSilanollsooctylt POSS and additives. Different coating compositions may be applied to different zones of the substrate so that the emissivity coefficient varies along the substrate. The coated substrate is heated and formed between a pair of dies to achieve a complex shape or features. The IR-absorbent coating increases the infrared absorption rate during the heating step, which improves formability of the substrate. The iron oxide (FeO) decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes can also be applied to an engine component to increase the thermal efficiency of the engine by reducing friction and enabling the use of light weight materials.

Tailored material properties using infrared radiation and infrared absorbent coatings

A method and system for detecting edge cracks of an element of a sheet metal product is provided. The method includes calculating a first stress associated with a forming process employing a first die; calculating a second stress associated with a finishing process employing a second die; combining the first stress and the second stress to formulate a total stress; simulating the sheet metal product to produce a benchmark stress; and comparing the total stress and the benchmark stress to determine if the element predictively contains edge cracks.

Detecting edge cracks

An electric motor can include a stator positioning device. First and second housing bodies can define a motor cavity. The stator can be disposed about the rotor within the motor cavity. The stator positioning device can include a plurality of contact members, and a plurality of cover members. The contact members can cooperate to form an annular contact ring that is coaxial with an output axis and has a first side and a second side. The first side can be in contact with a first end of the stator core. The cover members can cooperate to form an annular cover ring that is coaxial with the axis and coupled to the second side of the contact ring. The cover ring can include a flange that extends radially outward of the contact ring and is axially between the first and second housing bodies to inhibit axial movement of the cover ring.

Motor and stator crush resistance device

Sheet metal is provided as a template to create a finished product. After various metal transformation techniques are performed on the sheet metal, the sheet metal may be converted to the finished product. The sheet metal manipulation may encompass different techniques, such as thinning, bending, cutting, and the like. The manipulated sheet metal may be sourced for various products, such as a body of a vehicle. The aspects disclosed herein combine various tests employed to detect the integrity of the sheet metal transformation into a singular output.

Performing and communicating sheet metal simulations employing a combination of factors

Systems and Methods are provided for determining a position of an addendum mesh node disposed between a part mesh boundary and a binder mesh boundary with respect to a first plane. The method includes selecting a first point on the part mesh boundary and a second point on the binder mesh boundary having positions with respect to the first plane that are disposed on a control line which also intersects the position of the addendum mesh node with respect to the first plane, identifying a plurality of control points having positions with respect to the first plane that are disposed on the control line, and generating an interpolated curve that intersects the first point, the second point, and the plurality of control points. The method further includes adjusting the position of at least one of the plurality of control points with respect to a second plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane and repeating the step of generating the interpolated curve until the interpolated curve is tangentially correlated to the first point and to the second point. Finally, a position on the interpolated curve is identified that corresponds to the position of the addendum mesh node with respect to the first plane.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Thomas James Oetjens