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:
Sep. 26, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1999
David G Moses, Decatur, IN (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a non-driving, rigid axle beam for use in a vehicle frame and suspension system includes the initial step of providing a tubular blank. The tubular blank is disposed within a die having cooperating die sections that define a cavity having a shape that corresponds with the desired shape of the non-driving axle beam. Next, pressurized fluid is provided within the tubular blank so as to deform the tubular blank into conformance with the die cavity. A steering knuckle can be pivotably connected to each end of the non-driving axle beam by securing a hollow cylindrical support to each end of the non-driving axle beam and pivotably connecting a steering knuckle to each end of the hollow cylindrical supports. The non-driving axle beam can be formed having any desired cross sectional shape, including circular, triangular, I-shaped, and oval.