US4460657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thinning control in superplastic metal forming
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1981-03-20
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Granted: 1984-07-17
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Expires: 2001-03-20
Abstract
Abstract Flat metal stock is contoured into a shaped blank prior to being superplastically formed into a finished part. The stock is shaped in steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel D. Elrod
- 👤 DeVere V. Lindh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:38
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D26/00; B21D26/02; B21D26/053; B21D26/055; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49805; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process comprising: selectively removing material from essentially flat metal stock for providing a stepped blank, placing the stepped blank in a mold with the thicker parts located where the blank will be subjected to greatest elongation, heating and pressurizing the mold for superplastically forming the stepped blank into a shaped part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process comprising: selectively removing material from essentially flat metal stock for providing a stepped blank, placing the stepped blank in a mold with the thicker parts located where the blank will be subjected to greatest elongation, heating and pressurizing the mold for superplastically forming the stepped blank into a shaped part.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of superplastically forming a lightweight part comprising: determining the minimum permissible thickness for a formed part, determining the maximum desired thickness of the formed part, sculpturing a metal blank for shaping into the formed part, introducing the sculptured blank into a mold, and heating and pressurizing the mold with blank and forming the blank into the part.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of superplastically forming a lightweight part comprising: determining the minimum permissible thickness for a formed part, determining the maximum desired thickness of the formed part, sculpturing a metal blank for shaping into the formed part, introducing the sculptured blank into a mold, and heating and pressurizing the mold with blank and forming the blank into the part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process comprising: establishing areas of an essentially flat metal blank that will be subjected to extensive tensile elongation, sculpturing the flat metal blank into steps with the thickest step in an area of the metal blank to be subjected to the greatest elongation, placing the sculptured metal blank in a mold, and superplastically forming a part from the sculptured metal blank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process comprising: establishing areas of an essentially flat metal blank that will be subjected to extensive tensile elongation, sculpturing the flat metal blank into steps with the thickest step in an area of the metal blank to be subjected to the greatest elongation, placing the sculptured metal blank in a mold, and superplastically forming a part from the sculptured metal blank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process as set out in claim 3 further comprising sculpturing the blank by machining.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process as set out in claim 3 further comprising sculpturing the blank by chemical milling.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture superplastically formed by a process as set out in claim 3 further comprising sculpturing the blank by coining.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-17 | 1988-01-16 | 1988-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-17 | 1992-01-16 | 1992-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-17 | 1996-01-16 | 1996-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |