Sheet-to-tube welded structure and method
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsKenneth R. Schmidt, Pei-Chung Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method of welding a metal sheet and metal tubing as well as a welded sheet-to-tube welded structure wherein the tube-to-sheet gage ratio may be reduced to permit use of metal tubing having a reduced wall thickness. One or more intermediate metal bridging members is/are first welded to a metal tube using a relatively rapid welding process that reduces heat input and residual tensile stress imparted to the tube. A metallic sheet then is spot welded directly to the one or more bridging members, rather than to the metallic tube, to form a welded sheet-to-tube structure.
Claims9
Method of welding a metal sheet and a metal tube, comprising welding an edge of respective multiple metal bridging patches to a metal tube, and spot welding a metal sheet to the multiple bridging patches.
Method of welding a metal sheet and a metal tube, comprising welding a pair of legs of a metal bridging bracket member to the metal tube and spot welding the metal sheet to a web section of the bracket member connecting its legs.
A welded sheet-to-tube structure, comprising a metal sheet spot welded to multiple metal bridging patches each having an edge welded to an exterior surface of a metal tube.
A welded sheet-to-tube structure, comprising a metal tube, a metal bracket member having a pair of legs whose ends are welded to the metal tube and a web section connecting the legs, and a metal sheet spot welded to the web section of the bracket member.
A welded sheet-to-tube structure, comprising a metal sheet having a major side spot welded to multiple metal bridging patches that are welded to an exterior surface of a metal tube.
A welded sheet-to-tube structure, comprising a metal sheet spot welded to multiple metal bridging patches that are welded to an exterior surface of a metal tube wherein the metal sheet comprises a roof panel of a vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.