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:
Jun. 03, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2005
Bruno Barthelemy, Lake St Louis, MO (US);
Dragan Stojkovic, Southgate, MI (US);
Bruno Barthelemy, Lake St Louis, MO (US);
Dragan Stojkovic, Southgate, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A hydroformed tubular frame member includes an internal bulkhead member that is formed during the hydroforming process during which the frame member is manufacture from tubular stock material. The internal bulkhead is cut from one face by piercing three sides of a weld access opening with the die in which the tubular frame member is formed during the hydroforming process. The bulkhead member is then bent along the fourth side of the weld access opening and shaped into a folded configuration that includes a vertical portion spanning the distance between the opposing faces of the frame member, and a horizontal portion to facilitate welding to the opposing face. The provision of the internal bulkhead member increases stiffness in the tubular frame member and reduces the matchboxing effect associated with hydroformed tubular frame members. The frame member with internal bulkhead is particularly advantageous in manufacturing an automotive frame.