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:
Dec. 25, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2005
Adrian B. Chernoff, Troy, MI (US);
Richard M. Kleber, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark G. Konopnicki, Rochester, MI (US);
Stephen R. Koshorek, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Jacob Lyjak, Washington Township, MI (US);
Chongmin Kim, Bloomfield Township, MI (US);
Adrian B. Chernoff, Troy, MI (US);
Richard M. Kleber, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark G. Konopnicki, Rochester, MI (US);
Stephen R. Koshorek, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Jacob Lyjak, Washington Township, MI (US);
Chongmin Kim, Bloomfield Township, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a lower body component for a vehicle is provided including forming a one-piece floor pan at least partially defining a vehicle passenger compartment and substantially extending longitudinally at least the entire length thereof, and forming a one piece reinforcement structural member for reinforcing the pan. The method also includes simultaneously forming the pan and one-piece reinforcement structural member by stacking a pair of weldable sheet metal blanks sufficiently close together to define a comon interface, positioning the stacked blanks between moveable profile forming dies, heating the dies so that the blanks reach a superplastic forming temperature, and plastically deforming the stacked blanks into a lower body component having the profile of the dies. The method also includes friction stir welding of the stacked blanks at the common interface.