Patent ID: 8365388
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of joining plates of material to form a predetermined structure, the method comprising: assembling a first plate of a material comprising at least one recess against a second plate of material such that the at least one recess of the first plate is in an exterior surface of the first plate on a side of the first plate opposite to the side which faces the second plate; bonding a portion of the first and second plates to one another; superplastically forming the bonded plates; assembling a third plate of a material comprising at least one recess against the second plate of material such that the at least one recess of the third plate is in an exterior surface of the third plate on a side of the third plate opposite to the side which faces the second plate; bonding a portion of the third and second plates to one another, wherein the superplastic forming causes the material of the second plate which is opposite to the at least one recess of the first plate to be driven towards the recess of the first plate, the superplastic forming further causes the material of the second plate which is opposite to the at least one recess of the third plate to be driven towards the recess of the third plate, the unbonded portion of the second plate is deflected away from the third plate to form the predetermined structure, the unbonded portion of the second plate is deflected away from the first plate to form the predetermined structure, and the at least one recesses of the first and third plates are arranged along the length of the plates in an alternating arrangement.