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:
Aug. 18, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 22, 2005
John E. Carsley, Clinton Township, MI (US);
George L. Kilbertus, Gladwin, MI (US);
Gerald Edward Sokol, Shelby Township, Macomb County, MI (US);
Gary A. Kruger, Troy, MI (US);
Paul E. Krajewski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
John E. Carsley, Clinton Township, MI (US);
George L. Kilbertus, Gladwin, MI (US);
Gerald Edward Sokol, Shelby Township, Macomb County, MI (US);
Gary A. Kruger, Troy, MI (US);
Paul E. Krajewski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a heating and forming apparatus for sheet material and method for rapid heating and shaping of sheet material. The apparatus comprises a first and second respectively movable forming dies, with the first forming die having a forming surface and defining a cavity with the second forming die. The apparatus is adaptable to receive a sheet material positionable within the cavity. A heating mechanism is placed within the cavity to heat the sheet material. The forming surface of the first forming die is not substantially heated. A pressurization mechanism is in communication with the cavity to move the sheet material into conformity with the forming surface of the first die. An improvement in the process of stretch forming a sheet material into a product by using quick plastic forming (QPF) or superplastic forming (SPF) is provided.