Steering knuckle and method of forming same
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJames A. Webster, Tomasz Warzecha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering knuckle for a vehicle includes a metal body having a first portion defining a bore therethrough and a second portion extending longitudinally from said first portion. The steering knuckle also includes a ceramic insert disposed with the first portion and the second portion and surrounding the bore. A method of forming the steering knuckle includes disposing the ceramic insert within a cavity of a mold, sufficiently filling the cavity with a molten metal to contact and envelop the ceramic insert with the molten metal, and solidifying the molten metal so as to surround the ceramic insert with the metal body to thereby form the steering knuckle.
Claims16
A steering knuckle for a vehicle, the steering knuckle comprising:
- a metal body having a first portion defining a bore therethrough and a second portion extending longitudinally from said first portion;
- and
- a ceramic insert disposed within said first portion and said second portion and surrounding said bore;
- wherein said ceramic insert is shaped as a curvilinear band and configured for reinforcing said metal body;
- wherein said ceramic insert has at least a first thickness and a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.
A steering knuckle for a vehicle, the steering knuckle comprising:
- a metal body having a first portion defining a bore therethrough and a second portion extending longitudinally from said first portion;
- and
- a ceramic insert disposed within said first portion and said second portion and surrounding said bore;
- wherein said ceramic insert is shaped as a curvilinear band and configured for reinforcing said metal body;
- wherein said ceramic insert includes a first longitudinal segment and a second longitudinal segment integral with said first longitudinal segment;
- wherein said ceramic insert further includes a crossbar interconnecting each of said first longitudinal segment and said second longitudinal segment.
A steering knuckle for a vehicle, the steering knuckle comprising:
- a metal body having a first portion defining a bore therethrough and a second portion extending longitudinally from said first portion, wherein said metal body includes aluminum;
- and
- a ceramic insert disposed within said first portion and said second portion and surrounding said bore;
- wherein said ceramic insert includes a plurality of ceramic fibers interwoven with one another to define a plurality of interstices;
- wherein said aluminum fills said plurality of interstices so as to interconnect said metal body and said ceramic insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.