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:
Oct. 02, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 29, 2005
Earlby Wakefield, Guelph, CA;
Earlby Wakefield, Guelph, CA;
Magna International Inc., Aurora, Ontario, CA;
Abstract
The invention provides a method of forming structural components for automotive vehicles from elongated tubular blanks. A longitudinally oriented tubular blank comprised of a thermoplastic material is provided. The tubular blank is fluidformed in a fluid forming cavity by orienting in a hoop direction of the tubular blank to conform the tubular blank to a predetermined shape of the fluid forming cavity to provide structural components having increased strength over the tubular blank. The structural components have biaxial and/or triaxial orientation. Fluid forming is performed within an orientation temperature range above the glass transition temperature and below the softening point of the thermoplastic material. Structural components include bumper beams, intrusion beams in vehicle doors, crush cans, and frame members. The produced structural components are strong and light weight.