Linear friction welding process for making wheel rims
AssigneeRockwell Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.
InventorMurray Mahoney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of forming vehicle wheel rims includes utilizing linear friction welding. A generally planar piece of metal material is placed into a coil position with two ends in abutment. The abutting ends are oscillated or moved, in a generally linear pattern, relative to each other to increase the temperature of the metal at each end. After the temperature has been increased sufficiently, without reaching the melting temperature of the metal, the linear motion is stopped. The ends are then aligned precisely and forced together with an increased axial load. After cooling, the two ends are permanently joined together with an essentially defect-free welded joint.
Claims11
A method of making a vehicle wheel rim, comprising the steps of:
- (a) manipulating a generally planar piece of metal, having a first and second longitudinal end, into a generally cylindrical configuration with the first end facing the second end;
- (b) forcing the first end against the second end using a first force having a first magnitude and a direction that is generally tangential to said cylindrical configuration where said ends are forced against each other;
- (c) moving the first end relative to the second end while maintaining the first end against the second end to thereby increase a temperature of each end;
- and
- (d) forcing the first end against the second end using a second force having said direction and a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude such that the two ends are fixedly joined together.
A method of making a vehicle wheel rim, comprising the steps of:
- (a) manipulating a piece of metal, having a first and second longitudinal end with a length, into a generally cylindrical configuration with the first end facing the second end;
- (b) forcing the first end against the second end using a first force having a first magnitude and a direction that is generally tangential to said cylindrical configuration where said first end faces said second end;
- (c) moving the first end relative to the second end while maintaining the first end against the second end to thereby increase a temperature of each end;
- (d) stopping the movement of step (c);
- (e) holding the first end against the second end such that the entire length of the first end is in contact and aligned with the entire length of the second end;
- (f) forcing the first end against the second end using a second force having said direction and a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude;
- and
- (g) allowing the temperature of the first and second ends to decrease such that the two ends are fixedly joined together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.