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:
Feb. 25, 2020
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2017
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
S. George Luckey, Jr., Dearborn, MI (US);
Andrey M. Ilinich, Novi, MI (US);
Nia R. Harrison, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Michael William Danyo, Trenton, MI (US);
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A first method is disclosed for forming a tubular reinforcement that comprises the steps of: providing a 7xxx aluminum tube, heating tube to at least 450° C. and water quenching the tube in less than or equal to 20 seconds after heating. All of the forming processes on the tube are then completed from within 1 to 8 hours of quenching. A second method for forming a tubular reinforcement is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing a 7xxx-O temper aluminum tube and forming the tube into a predetermined shape. The tube in then heated the tube to at least 450° C. and quenched the tube with water or air in a hydroforming die just prior to or while hydroforming the tube.