Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080235932 | Method for positioning and joining panels - A method is provided for precisely positioning and joining first and second sheet panels. A first hole is extruded in the first panel with an annular upstanding wall surrounding the first hole. The first hole has a diameter to fit closely over the locating pin of a support. A second hole is formed in the second panel and has a diameter to fit closely over the annular upstanding wall of the first panel. A bond is created between the first and second panels adjacent to the annular upstanding wall, so that the annular upstanding wall protects the locating pin from being fouled by the bonding material. The bond may be either an adhesive bond or an electric resistance weld or both an adhesive bond and an electric resistance weld and the annular upstanding wall acts as a dam to protect the locating pin from the adhesive or weld splatter. | 10-02-2008 |
20090065484 | Welding polymeric panels to metal surfaces - A joining portion of a polymeric component, such as a vehicle door panel, may be welded (for example, a spot weld) to a metal component, such as a mating vehicle panel, using a molded-in-place metallic welding insert. The welding insert is shaped to provide welding surfaces at both surfaces of the joining portion of the plastic component and to conduct a welding current between the surfaces. When the workpieces are assembled for welding, opposing spot welding electrodes bear against the outer surfaces of the metal part and the metal insert in the plastic part. A spot welding operation produces a weld nugget between the facing surface of the metal part and the metal insert anchored in the plastic part. Continuous seam welds or a series of stitch seam welds may be made using suitably shaped welding inserts. | 03-12-2009 |
20090162167 | Wire staple for attaching metal sheets - A staple for attaching together first and second metal sheets is made of a length of round wire bent at the ends to form spaced apart depending metal legs, each having a metal piercing point at the end thereof adapted to pierce completely through the first sheet and at least partially through the second sheet and also adapted to spread the legs further apart during the piercing to a spread position in which the legs are anchored within the metal sheets and thereby attach the metal sheets together. The metal piercing points each having an outside bevel surface on the outside of the leg, an inside bevel surface on the inside of the leg, and a blunt end surface between the inside and outside bevel surfaces. | 06-25-2009 |
20090179461 | DYNAMIC LOAD BEARING COMPOSITE FLOOR PAN FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE - A composite floor pan may be joined with other structural members of an automotive vehicle. External loads imparted to the structural members may be transferred to the floor pan. The floor pan may be configured to absorb and/or transfer these external loads without separating. | 07-16-2009 |
20090277563 | METHOD FOR TESTING AND REPAIRING ADHESIVE BONDS - A method for testing adhesive bond quality includes subjecting an adhesively-bonded workpiece to a known loading function. The loading function may be cyclic, linear, or nonlinear, and configured not to damage the workpiece. Response characteristics of the workpiece are measured during the loading. Measured response characteristics are compared with baseline or nominal characteristics and the adhesive bond quality is determined from the resulting comparison. A differential signal may be generated based upon the comparison of measured response and baseline characteristics and used to determine the adhesive bond quality, possibly with an algorithm. Being within the acceptable range is indicative of acceptable adhesive bond quality. The root cause of failure may be determined and a course of action based thereupon; including: localized curing, inspection, repair, and destruction. Following corrective courses of action, the workpiece may be re-tested and compared again to the baseline. | 11-12-2009 |
20090277880 | Method and System for Welding Workpieces - A method of welding two or more workpieces employing a motion-controlled electrode that reduces temperature and residual stresses at a workpiece-to-electrode interface is disclosed. During a first period of time, a first electrode force is applied to the workpieces to be welded, and a weld current is applied that causes heating of an associated workpiece-to-workpiece faying surface, the first electrode force being applied at a first electrode stroke. A temperature of the faying surface indicative of a weld nugget formation thereat is determined, and in response thereto the electrode force is reduced to a second level during a second period of time while maintaining a constant electrode stroke. During a third period of time, the electrode force is further reduced to a third level while simultaneously reducing the electrode stroke to a second level. Welding is stopped after the third period of time, resulting in a weld joint having reduced residual stresses and reduced likelihood of stress crack formation. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278371 | AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURAL JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A joint for an automotive vehicle may be formed by applying an adhesive to at least one of a first member and a first surface of a composite member, placing the first member in contact with the first surface of the composite member, applying an adhesive to at least one of a second member and a second surface of the composite member, positioning a divot portion of the second member within an aperture of the composite member, placing the second member in contact with the second surface of the composite member, attaching the divot portion of the second member with the first member and curing the adhesives. | 11-12-2009 |
20100114505 | METHODS, PROGRAM PRODUCTS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTIMATING THE STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIP OF A TOUGHENED STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE POLYMER - Methods, program products, and computer systems for estimating a stress of a toughened structural adhesive polymer are provided. One method comprises selecting a strain, a strain rate, a temperature, or a combination thereof at which the stress is to be estimated. A value of a strain-hardening stress of the toughened structural adhesive polymer is determined, wherein the value of the strain-hardening stress is dependent on the temperature and the strain. A value of a non-strain-hardening stress of the toughened structural adhesive polymer is determined, wherein the value of the non-strain-hardening stress is dependent on the strain, the strain rate, and the temperature. The value of the strain-hardening stress is added to the value of the non-strain-hardening stress to obtain an estimated total stress. | 05-06-2010 |
20100178433 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING BONDING ADHESIVE - A dispensing apparatus for dispensing adhesive includes an adhesive source and a dispensing member. The dispensing member is movably attached to the adhesive source. A dispensing nozzle is located on the dispensing member to dispense adhesive onto a component. A heating element is also located on the dispensing member to heat the component. Finally, a roller element is located on the dispensing member to apply pressure to the adhesive. | 07-15-2010 |
20100314909 | AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURAL JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A joint for an automotive vehicle may be formed by applying an adhesive to at least one of a first member and a first surface of a composite member, placing the first member in contact with the first surface of the composite member, applying an adhesive to at least one of a second member and a second surface of the composite member, positioning a divot portion of the second member within an aperture of the composite member, placing the second member in contact with the second surface of the composite member, attaching the divot portion of the second member with the first member and curing the adhesives. | 12-16-2010 |
20120012239 | AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURAL JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A joint for an automotive vehicle may be formed by applying an adhesive to at least one of a first member and a first surface of a composite member, placing the first member in contact with the first surface of the composite member, applying an adhesive to at least one of a second member and a second surface of the composite member, positioning a divot portion of the second member within an aperture of the composite member, placing the second member in contact with the second surface of the composite member, attaching the divot portion of the second member with the first member and curing the adhesives. | 01-19-2012 |