US5129248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas mass superplastic forming
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-02
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2011-01-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling the superplastic forming process by measuring and controlling the gas mass flow rate of the gas displacing the blank being formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ken K. Yasui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:42
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D26/00; B21D26/02; B21D26/053; B21D26/055; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S72/00; Y10S72/709
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for superplasticity deforming a blank into a part having a shape, comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part to be formed; means for holding said blank in said configurational die at forming temperatures; a pressurized gas which is flowable into said configurational die at a gas mass flow rate; means for introducing said pressurized gas into said configurational die to create a differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to form said blank into said configurational die; and means for measuring the gas mass flow rate of said pressurized gas as it flows into said configurational die so that the gas mass flow rate can be controlled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for superplasticity deforming a blank into a part having a shape, comprising: a configurational die having a contour which is complementary to the shape of the part to be formed; means for holding said blank in said configurational die at forming temperatures; a pressurized gas which is flowable into said configurational die at a gas mass flow rate; means for introducing said pressurized gas into said configurational die to create a differential gas pressure against opposing sides of said blank so as to form said blank into said configurational die; and means for measuring the gas mass flow rate of said pressurized gas as it flows into said configurational die so that the gas mass flow rate can be controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the gas mass flow rate is an accumulator for storage of a predetermined mass of said as, a throttling valve for controlling a first flow of said gas from said accumulator into said configurational die, and a shut-off valve for controlling a second flow of said gas into said accumulator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the gas mass flow rate is a mass flow meter.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of deforming a metal blank into a part having a shape, which comprises: holding said blank in a configurational die having a contour which is complimentary to the shape of the part to be formed; introducing a pressurized gas into said configurational die, so as to create a differential pressure across said blank and deform said blank into said configurational die; and measuring and controlling a mass flow rate of said pressurized gas flowing into said configurational die so as to control the deformation of said blank.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of deforming a metal blank into a part having a shape, which comprises: holding said blank in a configurational die having a contour which is complimentary to the shape of the part to be formed; introducing a pressurized gas into said configurational die, so as to create a differential pressure across said blank and deform said blank into said configurational die; and measuring and controlling a mass flow rate of said pressurized gas flowing into said configurational die so as to control the deformation of said blank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The forming method of claim 4 wherein said step of measuring and controlling the gas mass flow rate includes filling an accumulator having a known volume with said gas and subsequently exhausting said gas into said configurational die.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The forming method of claim 4 wherein said step of measuring and controlling the gas mass flow rae includes forcing said gas through a mass flow meter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shut-off valve and said throttling valve are never simultaneously open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4233829A
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US4352280A
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US4708008A
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JPH0197021A
Cited
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US5007265A
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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) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |