公开(公告)号：US11173568B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-16

申请号：US16032880

申请日：2018-07-11

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Daniel J. Wilson ,  Huaxin Li ,  Jianghuai Yang ,  James D. Cremonesi ,  Qigui Wang

IPC: F16H55/06 ,  B23K20/12 ,  F16D3/79 ,  F16H55/17 ,  F16F15/30

Abstract: A composite metal flexplate is disclosed that includes an aluminum center plate and a steel ring gear joined to the aluminum center plate by a solid-state joint. The solid-state joint that joins together the aluminum center plate and the steel ring gear may be formed by friction welding. During the friction welding process, a surface of an annular body of the steel ring gear is preheated, followed by bringing the preheated surface of the annular body into contact with a surface of a periphery of a circular body of the aluminum center plate. The two contacting surfaces are then caused to experience relative rotational contacting movement, which generates frictional heat therebetween and softens adjacent regions of the steel ring gear and the aluminum center plate. Once this occurs, an applied force is administered to compress and forge the contacting surfaces together, thereby establishing the solid-state joint.

公开(公告)号：US20210115540A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-22

申请号：US16657146

申请日：2019-10-18

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Jianghuai Yang ,  Qigui Wang ,  Dale A. Gerard ,  James D. Cremonesi ,  Daniel J. Wilson

IPC: C22C37/08 ,  C22C37/10 ,  F16C3/06

Abstract: A nodular iron alloy and automotive components, such as a crankshaft, are provided. The nodular iron alloy may include iron, about 2.2-3.2 wt % carbon, about 1.7-2.3 wt % silicon, about 0.2-0.6 wt % manganese, a maximum of 0.03 wt % phosphorus, a maximum of 0.02 wt % sulfur, about 0.2-0.6 wt % copper, about 0.1-0.4 wt % chromium, about 0.4-0.8 wt % nickel, about 0.15-0.45 wt % molybdenum, about 0.2-1.0 wt % cobalt, about 0.02-0.06 wt % magnesium, and a maximum of 0.002 wt % rare earth element(s). The nodular iron alloy may have a Young's modulus in the range of 175-195 GPa and an as-cast ultimate tensile strength in the range of 750-950 MPa. This alloy possesses favorable strength, stiffness and noise/vibration/harshness qualities, making it suitable in crankshaft applications. A method of forming the nodular iron alloy includes feeding a magnesium-based material into a molten iron alloy through a continuous system at a constant amount.

公开(公告)号：US20200048727A1

公开(公告)日：2020-02-13

申请号：US16056990

申请日：2018-08-07

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Jianghuai Yang ,  James D. Cremonesi ,  Paul J. Gelazin ,  Qigui Wang ,  Daniel J. Wilson

IPC: C21D9/30 ,  F16C3/08 ,  C21D1/18 ,  C21D1/58 ,  C22C38/00

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of journals having a hardened case with a first microstructure. The crankshaft is comprised of a steel comprising between about 0.3 wt % and 0.77 wt % Carbon. The first microstructure of the hardened case of the journals comprises between about 15% and 30% ferrite and a balance of martensite and the resultant subsurface residual stress between 310 MPa and 620 MPa.

公开(公告)号：US20200016688A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-16

申请号：US16032880

申请日：2018-07-11

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Daniel J. Wilson ,  Huaxin Li ,  Jianghuai Yang ,  James D. Cremonesi ,  Qigui Wang

IPC: B23K20/12 ,  F16D3/79 ,  F16F15/30 ,  F16H55/06 ,  F16H55/17

Abstract: A composite metal flexplate is disclosed that includes an aluminum center plate and a steel ring gear joined to the aluminum center plate by a solid-state joint. The solid-state joint that joins together the aluminum center plate and the steel ring gear may be formed by friction welding. During the friction welding process, a surface of an annular body of the steel ring gear is preheated, followed by bringing the preheated surface of the annular body into contact with a surface of a periphery of a circular body of the aluminum center plate. The two contacting surfaces are then caused to experience relative rotational contacting movement, which generates frictional heat therebetween and softens adjacent regions of the steel ring gear and the aluminum center plate. Once this occurs, an applied force is administered to compress and forge the contacting surfaces together, thereby establishing the solid-state joint.