Douglas W Tyger

US Patent:

53536185, Oct 11, 1994

Filed:

Aug 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/077616

Inventors:

Ralph E. Roper - Indianapolis IN
Gary A. Webb - West Bloomfield MI
Douglas W. Tyger - West Chester OH

Assignee:

Armco Steel Company, L.P. - Middletown OH
Price Enterprises, Ltd. - Madison Heights MI

International Classification:

B21D 2602

US Classification:

72 58

Abstract:

An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member. The forming components in each apparatus are submerged in an aqueous bath, allowing the blank and tube to automatically fill themselves, thereby facilitating sealing and pressurizing of the tube.

US Patent:

54818923, Jan 9, 1996

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/099484

Inventors:

Ralph E. Roper - Indianapolis IN
Gary A. Webb - West Bloomfield MI
Douglas W. Tyger - West Chester OH
Donald F. Lowen - West Bloomfield MI

International Classification:

B21D 915

US Classification:

72 61

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for forming a one-piece, complex-shaped tubular member from a tubular blank is provided. The tubular blank is placed in a die cavity defining a tube having at least two expanded portions and a bend therein. As the die cavity is closed around the tubular blank to form the bend, the interior of the tubular blank is pressurized to expand the tubular blank into the at least two expanded portions defined by the die cavity. When the bent and expanded tubular blank is removed from the die cavity, the ends of the tubular blank are cropped to form the finished tubular member.

US Patent:

58903879, Apr 6, 1999

Filed:

Sep 15, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/945322

Inventors:

Ralph E. Roper - Indianapolis IN
Gary Alan Webb - West Bloomfield MI
Douglas W. Tyger - West Chester OH

Assignee:

Aquaform Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B21D 2602

US Classification:

72 58

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming complex shaped frame members from a tubular blank where the blank is transferred from station to station and various tooling are performed on the blank at each station. For example, at a first station the blank is expanded into a tube having a varying cross-section throughout the length of the tube by applying pressure to the interior of the tube and compressive force to the opposed ends of the tube preferably simultaneously. At another station, the expanded tube is preformed by introducing a bend therein. The bend in the preformed tube is then increased at another station. While the expanded tube is being preformed and bent, the flow of material into the die cavity at those stations is controlled to reduce the amount of folding that may occur. The shape of the frame member is finished at another station by introducing a lateral bend and varying the cross-sectional configuration of the bent tube. Holes may then be pierced into the finished frame member at another station by pressurizing the interior of the frame member with hydraulic fluid and striking the frame member with a piercing punch.