Process for non-destructive quality control inspection of self-piercing rivet (SPR) joints

    公开(公告)号:US12072303B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-08-27

    申请号:US17637250

    申请日:2020-08-26

    发明人: Randy S. Beals

    IPC分类号: G01N23/046 B21J15/02

    CPC分类号: G01N23/046 B21J15/025

    摘要: A system and method for inspecting an assembly including components joined by self-piercing rivets by a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the joint is provided. The system includes a source of x-rays, a mounting unit for an assembly including the joint which is subject to the x-rays, and an x-ray detector disposed opposite the source for detecting the x-rays. The x-rays are provided at a high energy level of at least 200 kV to generate images having a resolution of at least 200 micrometers (μm). A computer stitches the images together to form reconstructive images which show details of the joint. The assembly to be inspected is not destroyed or modified prior to the inspection process. The resolution of the images generated by the x-rays is high enough to determine the presence of cracks, if any, the interlock (SH), minimum thickness (Tmin), and overall structure of the unmodified assembly.

    Variable gauge cradle
    83.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US12005957B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-06-11

    申请号:US17607542

    申请日:2020-05-01

    IPC分类号: B62D21/11 B32B15/01

    CPC分类号: B62D21/11 B32B15/011

    摘要: A cradle for being used in automotive vehicles for supporting various automotive components includes a structure with variable thickness, defining a variable gauge cradle. The variable gauge cradle has a minimum thickness and maximum thickness, with various other thicknesses therebetween. The minimum thickness is less than an original thickness of a reference cradle in which the thickness is the same. The variable gauge cradle allows specific locations to be locally increased in thickness to achieve the desired stiffness at the areas requiring the increased stiffness, while leaving areas requiring a lower stiffness at a lesser thickness. The variable gauge cradle therefore may have a lower mass than the reference cradle. The thickness may be increased relative to the minimum thickness using patches that are bonded to a base layer or panel of the cradle. The patches may be distributed at different locations to create different thicknesses.

    WOUND-FIELD SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES AND CONTROL
    86.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240055916A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-02-15

    申请号:US17766291

    申请日:2020-10-02

    IPC分类号: H02K1/24 H02K1/22

    CPC分类号: H02K1/24 H02K1/223

    摘要: A rotor for a wound-field synchronous machine (WFSM) comprises a core having a base with a ring-shaped cross-section extending between an outside surface and an inside surface defining a bore. The rotor also comprises a plurality of field windings spaced apart from one another at regular angular intervals and each extending around the base of the core, adjacent the outside surface and through the bore. Rotor field windings having radial, or spoke configurations are provided. Rotor field windings having V-shaped arrangements, in which two field windings each contribute to the production of each pole, are also provided. Rotors having permanent magnets in addition to field windings are also provided.

    WAVE ROLL DIE ASSEMBLY
    87.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240001422A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-01-04

    申请号:US18038332

    申请日:2021-12-01

    摘要: A wave rolling assembly and a process for manufacturing a component for a vehicle using the wave rolling assembly is provided. The process includes conveying a metal coil through a first leveler to present a metal sheet, and conveying the metal sheet through a looping pit. The metal sheet travels from the looping pit to the wave rolling assembly for forming a plurality of waves along the side edges of the metal sheet. The wave rolling assembly stretches the metal sheet. The wave rolling assembly can include a die assembly or a roll forming apparatus. The metal sheet is then conveyed through a second leveler to flatten the metal sheet. The metal sheet is cut into blanks and formed into the finished component in a blanking press and die assembly. Less scrap is generated due to the reduced thickness along the edges and overall increased width of the blanks.

    SMART TRIM DIE ASSEMBLY
    89.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20230182199A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-06-15

    申请号:US17923642

    申请日:2020-05-06

    IPC分类号: B22D17/32 B22D17/20 B22D17/22

    摘要: A smart trim die assembly for providing multiple internal operations during a stroke. The smart trim die assembly (10) comprises a first die (12), a second die (14), and a cavity (20) formed between the first die and second die. A plurality of sensors (22) are located between the first die and the second die for measuring the distance therebetween during a stroke. A series of tools are integrated into one of the first die or second die and each perform one of trimming, piercing, dimpling, and tapping operations. The smart trim die assembly further includes a processor (210) and a memory device (214) for receiving readings from the sensors. The memory device further contains instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to the sensor reading a predetermined distance, instruct the series of tools to perform one or more of the operations.