US4708008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volume control superplastic forming
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1985-12-26
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Granted: 1987-11-24
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Expires: 2005-12-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling the superplastic forming process by measuring and controlling the volume displaced by the blank being formed so as to measure total strain or surface area increase of the blank.
Inventors
- 👤 Ken K. Yasui
- 👤 Neil R. Williams
- 👤 Richard C. Ecklund
- 👤 Masashi Hayase
- 👤 Robert J. Walkington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:59
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D26/00; B21D26/02; B21D26/053; B21D26/055; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S72/00; Y10S72/709; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for superplastically forming a blank, comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed; means for holding said blank in said die at the forming temperatures; means for applying differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to deform said blank into said configurational die; means for containing the gas on said low pressure side of said blank; and means for directly measuring the volume of asid gas displaced by the deformation of said blank so that said gas pressure can be controlled to produce a predetermined relationship between pressure and deformation of said blank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for superplastically forming a blank, comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed; means for holding said blank in said die at the forming temperatures; means for applying differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to deform said blank into said configurational die; means for containing the gas on said low pressure side of said blank; and means for directly measuring the volume of asid gas displaced by the deformation of said blank so that said gas pressure can be controlled to produce a predetermined relationship between pressure and deformation of said blank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the volume displaced by the deformation of said blank is a manometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the volume displaced by the deformation of said blank is a pressure transducer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for superplastically forming a blank comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed; means for holding said blank in said die at the forming temperature; means for applying differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to deform said blank into said configuration die; means for containing the gas on said low pressure side of said blank; and means for directly measuring the volume of said gas displaced by the deformation of said bank so that said gas pressure can be applied so as to deform said blank against time at a predetermined relationship.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for superplastically forming a blank comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed; means for holding said blank in said die at the forming temperature; means for applying differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to deform said blank into said configuration die; means for containing the gas on said low pressure side of said blank; and means for directly measuring the volume of said gas displaced by the deformation of said bank so that said gas pressure can be applied so as to deform said blank against time at a predetermined relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for measuring the volume displaced by the deformation of said blank is a pressure transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for measuring the volume displaced by the deformation of said blank is a manometer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of forming a metal blank in a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed, which comprises: holding said blank in said configurational die; applying differential gas pressure across said blank so as to deform said blank into said configurational die; and measuring, directly, the volume of gas displaced by the deformations of said blank so that said gas pressure can be controlled to produce a predetermined relationship between pressure and deformation of said blank.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of forming a metal blank in a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part being formed, which comprises: holding said blank in said configurational die; applying differential gas pressure across said blank so as to deform said blank into said configurational die; and measuring, directly, the volume of gas displaced by the deformations of said blank so that said gas pressure can be controlled to produce a predetermined relationship between pressure and deformation of said blank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-23 | 1991-05-25 | 1991-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-23 | 1995-05-25 | 1995-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-23 | 1999-05-25 | 1999-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |