Method of fabricating tubular structure from hybrid material
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorWuhua Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method allowing for the fabrication of tubular structures, such as structural members used in vehicle bodies, from two or more metals or other materials using a hydroforming process. Being able to use two or more metals or other materials, such as, for example, high-strength steel and low-weight aluminum alloy, in body structure design allows for achieving an optimum material solution which combines the desirable attributes of the different materials.
Claims20
A method of fabricating a structure from two or more materials, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) associating a first material with a second material in an initial form;
- and
- (b) subjecting the initial form to a hydroforming process to produce the structure, wherein the hydroforming process includes
- positioning the initial form relative to a die, and
- applying pressure to the initial form so that the first and second materials conform to the die.
A method of fabricating a tubular structure from two or more materials, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) associating a first material with a second material in an initial form;
- and
- (b) subjecting the initial form to a hydroforming process to produce the tubular structure and bond the two or more materials, wherein the hydroforming process includes
- positioning the initial form within a die cavity, and
- applying pressure within the initial form to produce an outward force and thereby force the first and second materials to conform to a surface of the die cavity.
A method of fabricating a tubular structure from two or more materials for a vehicle body, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) associating a first material with a second material in an initial form;
- (b) pre-conditioning the initial form;
- and
- (c) subjecting the initial form to a hydroforming process to produce the tubular structure and bond the two or more materials, wherein the hydroforming process includes
- positioning the initial form within a die cavity, and
- applying pressure within the initial form to produce an outward force and thereby force the first and second materials to conform to a surface of the die cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.