公开(公告)号：US06234375B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-22

申请号：US09138597

申请日：1998-08-22

Applicant: Robert D. Durand

Inventor： Robert D. Durand

IPC: B23K2006

CPC classification number: B62D27/023 ,  B23K9/08 ,  B23K20/06 ,  B23K2101/24 ,  B23K2101/26

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently joining two or more metallic vehicle frame components using magnetic impulse welding techniques. The vehicle frame may include a pair of similar or dissimilar tubular side rail members in multiple sections joined together by a plurality of transversely extending tubular or “C” of “U” shaped cross members. A plurality of similar or dissimilar material brackets are joined to the side rails and/or cross members to facilitate the attachment of other portions of the vehicle to the vehicle frame. These components are joined via an overlap joint between two individual side rail sections, a cross member section and a side rail section, or a bracket and a side rail section or a cross member section. The first component and the second component, if tubular side rails, are sized so that they may be disposed telescopically with clearance. Similarly, the first component and second component, if a cross member/side rail, a bracket/cross member, or a bracket side/side rail combination are sized and/or positioned so that some clearance exists between the components. An electromagnetic coil is provided for generating a magnetic field that causes the first component and the second component to move toward one another. Portions of the electromagnetic coil are disposed on either side of the side rail sections. A first end of the electromagnetic coil is connected through a switch to a first side of a capacitor, while a second end of the electromagnetic coil is connected directly to a second side of the capacitor. A source of electrical energy is provided for selectively charging the capacitor to store a quantity of electrical energy. By closing the switch, electrical energy is passed from the capacitor through the electromagnetic coil. Consequently, an intense electromagnetic field is generated about the first and second components. This force causes the first and second components to move toward each other at great velocities, when they meet, the large pressures produced on impact cause the first and second components to weld or molecularly bond.

公开(公告)号：US5966813A

公开(公告)日：1999-10-19

申请号：US996958

申请日：1997-12-23

Applicant: Robert D. Durand

Inventor： Robert D. Durand

IPC: B23K13/02 ,  B23K20/06 ,  B23P11/00 ,  B62D21/02 ,  B62D27/02 ,  B62D29/00 ,  B23P15/12

CPC classification number: B62D29/001 ,  B23K13/025 ,  B23K20/06 ,  B23P11/005 ,  B62D21/02 ,  B62D27/023 ,  B23K2201/06 ,  B60G2206/60 ,  B60G2206/71 ,  B60G2206/72 ,  B60G2206/82 ,  Y10T29/49622 ,  Y10T29/49913 ,  Y10T29/49931 ,  Y10T29/49934

Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle frame components made from dissimilar materials includes providing a first frame component, and providing a second frame component made from a material which is dissimilar to the material used to make the first frame component, where one of the first and second frame components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second frame components is positioned within a portion of the other of the frame components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band is disposed around the overlapping portion, and an inductor is positioned around the metallic band. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the band about the overlapping portion at a velocity sufficient to magnetic pulse weld the band and metallic component to each other, thereby securing the first and second frame components together.

Abstract translation: 连接由不同材料制成的两个车辆框架部件的方法包括提供第一框架部件，并且提供由与用于制造第一框架部件的材料不同的材料制成的第二框架部件，其中第一和第二 框架部件是由金属材料制成的金属部件。 第一和第二框架部件中的一个的一部分以重叠的方式定位在另一个框架部件的一部分内，从而形成重叠部分。 金属带设置在重叠部分周围，电感器位于金属带周围。 电感器被通电以产生磁场，用于以足以将带和金属部件彼此焊接的脉冲的速度折叠重叠部分周围的带，由此将第一和第二框架部件固定在一起。

公开(公告)号：US5884722A

公开(公告)日：1999-03-23

申请号：US787973

申请日：1997-01-23

Applicant: Robert D. Durand ,  Richard A. Marando ,  George M. Hetrick, III ,  Stephen M. Lapic

Inventor： Robert D. Durand ,  Richard A. Marando ,  George M. Hetrick, III ,  Stephen M. Lapic

IPC: B21D35/00 ,  B62D65/00 ,  B60K5/12

CPC classification number: B21D35/00 ,  B62D65/00 ,  Y10T29/49622

Abstract: An engine cradle is formed from tubular stock material using mechanical bending and hydroforming techniques. To facilitate connections with the body and frame assembly of the vehicle, hollow end portions of the engine cradle are subjected to an end forming operation. The result of the end forming operation is that the hollow end region of the engine cradle is deformed to have a generally U-shaped cross section having an aperture formed therethrough. The central portion of the U-shaped end region is flat so as to facilitate the connection of the engine cradle to the body and frame assembly of the vehicle. The central portion also has an effective wall thickness which is equal to the sum of the wall thicknesses of the upper and lower walls of the original hollow region. Similarly, the side portions of the U-shaped end region are also flat and have double wall thicknesses. Consequently, the U-shaped end region is quite strong and rigid, allowing it to be connected directly to the body and frame assembly of the vehicle without ancillary support devices, such as rigid spacers. The U-shaped end region also provides desirable lateral and torsional rigidity to the joint between it and the body and frame assembly.

Abstract translation: 使用机械弯曲和液压成形技术由管状原料形成发动机支架。 为了便于与车身的主体和框架组件的连接，发动机支架的中空端部进行端部成形操作。 端部成型操作的结果是发动机支架的中空端部区域变形为具有大致为U形的横截面，该横截面具有从其形成的孔。 U形端部区域的中心部分是平坦的，以便于引擎支架与车辆的主体和框架组件的连接。 中心部分也具有等于原始空心区域的上壁和下壁的壁厚之和的有效壁厚度。 类似地，U形端部区域的侧部也是平的并且具有双壁厚度。 因此，U形端部区域非常坚固且刚性好，允许其直接连接到车辆的主体和框架组件，而无需辅助支撑装置，例如刚性间隔件。 U形端部区域还为其与主体和框架组件之间的接头提供期望的横向和扭转刚度。