Patent ID: 6176114
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for hydroforming nodes on a tubular member comprising:die means having a cavity with a plurality of spaced nodules;a tube member disposed in the cavity having first and second end portions and a first of said end portions extending outboard of the cavity;pressure sealing means disposed in said tube member and cooperating with said tube member to form a chamber, said pressure sealing means including a mandrel;means for pressurizing said chamber, including a passage through a portion of said pressure sealing means, for urging said tube into one of said nodules during a hydroforming cycle;feed means abutting one of said end portions for urging said tube member into said cavity during said pressurizing of said chamber;positioning means for moving said mandrel sequentially within said tube to position adjacent sequential nodules in said cavity when a pressure in said chamber is reduced by said pressurizing means during a positioning cycle.