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:
May. 08, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 27, 2009
Bruno Barthelemy, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ramakrishna P. Koganti, Canton, MI (US);
Lawrence Anderson Queener, Pinckney, MI (US);
Bruno Barthelemy, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ramakrishna P. Koganti, Canton, MI (US);
Lawrence Anderson Queener, Pinckney, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method of forming a flanged tubular member includes the steps of: positioning a tubular blank in a die; applying nominal pressure; closing the dies; and increasing pressure within the blank, thereby converting the tubular blank to a hydroformed member having the flange and a hem with a cavity therein. The die halves define: a die tubular cavity portion; a die hem cavity portion; and a die flange cavity portion. Upon closing the die halves with nominal pressure and then increasing pressure, (1) the blank is deformed within the die tubular cavity portion; (2) the flange is defined from a portion of the blank in the die flange cavity portion; and (3) at least an intermediate hem is defined in the die hem cavity portion.