The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 29, 2019
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2016
GM Global Technology Operations Llc, Detroit, MI (US);
Anil K. Sachdev, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Raja K. Mishra, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Jon T. Carter, Farmington, MI (US);
Tyson W. Brown, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Blair E. Carlson, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
David R. Sigler, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Robert N. Saje, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Matthew P. Simonin, Ortonville, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A panel assembly is formed by a plurality of bonds between two sheet materials in a face to face relationship to form a preform. The plurality of bonds define a closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials and an open perimeter region between the two sheet materials. The preform may be formed into a predefined shape. Pressurized fluid is applied through an inlet into the open perimeter region to expand the preform. The pressurized fluid expands the open perimeter region such that the two sheet materials expand in an opposing direction, thereby defining an expanded open perimeter region. The closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials remains vacant of the pressurized fluid such that the closed perimeter region is not expanded. The expanded open perimeter region is filled with a filler material for improving a performance characteristic of the panel assembly, e.g., strength, sound absorption, or stiffness.