# US 2013/0278016 A1 · Magnesium-Composite Structures with Enhanced Design > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0278016 A1 - Document ID: US20130278016A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/453,204 - Filed: 2012-04-23 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Hamid G. Kia; Aihua A. Luo; John N. Owens; James F. Quinn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278016A1 ## CPC - B60R 19/03: characterised by material, e.g. composite (B60R19/18 takes precedence) - B29C 70/86: Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, {e.g. by winding} - B60R 19/34: destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type - Y10T 428/13: Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.] - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A segmented tube formed of a magnesium-based alloy and wrapped or jacketed with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the tube for resisting fragmentation of the tube by the compressive force applied to the end of the tube serves as a structural member for receiving a compressive stress applied to an end of the tube and acting along the axis of the tube toward the opposing end of the tube. The magnesium alloy tube is comparatively light, and the segmented and wrapped or jacketed tube has an increased capacity to absorb compressive forces. The tubes are useful as components of automotive vehicles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tube formed of a magnesium-based alloy and having a length and longitudinal axis, an internal tube surface and a complementary external tube surface spaced from the internal surface to define a tube wall, and opposing end surfaces spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tube; the tube being sized and shaped to serve as a structural member for receiving a compressive stress applied to an end of the tube and acting along the axis of the tube toward the opposing end of the tube; and the tube being wrapped or jacketed with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the tube for resisting fragmentation of the tube by the compressive force applied to the end of the tube; wherein the tube is divided into segments along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a frustum shape or non-uniform wall thickness. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is configured to provide an increasing amount of compressive stress with each succeeding segment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is divided into the segments by one or more grooves in a perimeter of the tube wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A tube according to claim 4, wherein at least one groove is filled with a polymeric material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the segments are adjacent or mechanically or adhesively joined. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is wrapped or jacketed with a fiber reinforcement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A tube according to claim 7, wherein the fiber reinforcement is coated or impregnated with a cured thermoset resin composition. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is wrapped or jacketed with a thermoplastic polymer film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is wrapped or jacketed with metal reinforcement selected from wire and mesh or with a carbon fiber reinforcement, wherein at least one of the tube or the reinforcement is clad or coated to prevent direct contact between the metal reinforcement and the magnesium alloy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is interiorly reinforced. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A tube according to claim 11, wherein the tube is interiorly reinforced with a foam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A tube according to claim 11, wherein the tube is interiorly reinforced in each segment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is wrapped or jacketed with a glass fiber reinforcement coated or impregnated with a cured thermoset resin composition. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A tube according to claim 14, wherein the glass fiber reinforcement is a mat or fabric. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A tube according to claim 14, wherein the glass fiber reinforcement comprises continuous glass fibers wrapped to form a series of spaced bands of fibers on the external surface of the tube, the fibers being wrapped around the axis of the tube such that the bands lie generally parallel to the ends of the tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An automotive vehicle comprising a tube according to claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An automotive vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the tube is a structural member selected from the group consisting of bumper beams, frame rails, cross members, crush cans, and instrument panel beams. ### Claim 19 A method of making an article having a structural member to absorb a compressive force, comprising providing a hollow structural member formed from a magnesium-based alloy having a length and longitudinal axis, an internal surface and a complementary external surface spaced from the internal surface to define a structural member wall, and opposing end surfaces spaced along the longitudinal axis of the structural member, wherein the structural member is divided into segments along the longitudinal axis, wrapping or jacketing the structural member with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the structural member for resisting fragmentation of the structural member by a compressive force applied to an end of the structural member; wherein the structural member is incorporated into the article. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19, wherein the article is an automotive vehicle and the structural member is selected from the group consisting of bumper beams, frame rails, cross members, crush cans, and instrument panel beams.