US4761867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing ring gears for heavy-duty drive axles
Assignee: Dana Technology Inc
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Filing: 1987-02-12
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2007-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing ring gears (14) for (12/14) is provided. The method comprises providing a near net ring gear forging (106) which is machined on other than the root and flank tooth surfaces (90), subjected to a carburizing heat treatment (92) and then subjected to a grinding operation, preferably utilizing cubic boron nitride grinding tools, to finish machine the tooth flank and root surfaces to the final configurations thereof (94).
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Vollmer
- 👤 Alvin M. Sabroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:52
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21D; C21D9/00; C21D9/32; B; B23; B23P; B23P15/00; B23P15/14; B21; B21K; B21K1/00; B21K1/28; B21K1/30; F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H1/00; F16H1/02; F16H1/04; F16H1/12; F16H1/14; F16H48/38; F16H2048/382; F16H48/42; F16H2048/423; F16H2048/426; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49462; Y10T29/49467; Y10T29/49478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for producing ring gears for heavy-duty drive axle ring gear/pinion gear gear-sets, said method comprising the steps of: providing a near net ring gear forging, the tooth flank and tooth root surfaces of said near net ring gear forging having sufficient excess material for subsequent removal by grinding; then finish machining said ring gear near net forging surfaces other than the gear teeth root and flank surfaces; then subjecting said machined workpiece to a carburizing heat treatment; then grinding said gear teeth root and flank surfaces to the final finish profiles thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for producing ring gears for heavy-duty drive axle ring gear/pinion gear gear-sets, said method comprising the steps of: providing a near net ring gear forging, the tooth flank and tooth root surfaces of said near net ring gear forging having sufficient excess material for subsequent removal by grinding; then finish machining said ring gear near net forging surfaces other than the gear teeth root and flank surfaces; then subjecting said machined workpiece to a carburizing heat treatment; then grinding said gear teeth root and flank surfaces to the final finish profiles thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said forgings are of a steel alloy having a low to medium carbon level and the grinding tools utilize an abrasive comprising cubic boron nitride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said machining of said near net ring gear forgings occurs on forgings not subjected to any heat treatment prior to the machining thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ring gears may be utilized other than as a matched set with a pinion gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein less than 0.030 inches of material are removed in the grinding operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein less than 0.030 inches of material are removed in the grinding operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of finish machining the mounting bore of said ring gear after the carburizing heat treatment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ring gear is not subject to any tensile stress relieving operation after the grinding of said gear teeth profiles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said ring gear is not subject to any tensile stress relieving operation after the grinding of said gear teeth profiles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said ring gear is not subject to any tensile stress relieving operation after the grinding of said gear teeth profiles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said ring gear is not subject to any tensile stress relieving operation after the grinding of said gear teeth profiles.
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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) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |