| Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufactureRelated Patent Categories: Metal Working, Method Of Mechanical Manufacture, Muffler, Manifold Or Exhaust Pipe MakingDraw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060059683, Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/589,111 filed on Jul. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is generally related to exhaust tubes, and more particularly to exhaust tubes having a draw-form formed therein. BACKGROUND [0003] Many tubular structures designed to have components connected thereto. In such a case, many tubular structures utilize flat portions formed along the surface of the tubular structure for mounting components thereto. While such flat portions assist in mounting components to tubes, these flat portions can often be deformed during secondary forming operations or construction of the finished product. The deformation of such flat portions can prevent the connection of the required component and require additional forming operations to correct such deformations. [0004] The field of art has attempted to minimize the deformation to the flat portions caused by secondary operations by providing circular draw-forms having a flat portion therein (as shown in FIG. A). The circular draw-forms are stamped into the tubular surface so as to provide a flat portion upon which a component may be mounted. As such, the wall of the circular indentations is supposed to protect the flat portion from deforming during secondary forming or construction operations. [0005] One particular industry where tubular structures require such flat portions is the automotive industry and particularly the exhaust tube industry. For example, tubular catalytic converter canisters comprise tubular structures having draw-forms stamped therein so as to provide a flat portion where a HEGO boss (Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen) can be welded for placement of the HEGO sensor. This sensor is used by the engine management system to monitor mixture strength in the exhaust gases. In construction of such canisters, a circular draw-form indentation is typically stamped into the tubular structure so as to provide a flat surface for the HEGO boss. Converter bricks are then stuffed inside the tube and the entire assembly is swaged, or reduced to a smaller diameter, in a secondary operation. The forming forces during swaging tend to deform the flat portion and the attached HEGO boss under the current forming methods (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). [0006] It has been observed that circular shaped draw-forms tend to deform during subsequent forming operations. Deformation of the draw-forms and their flat portions can inhibit the connection of the HEGO sensor and make the tube worthless for its intended purpose. Such deformation of the draw-form and flat portion must be repaired or reformed in subsequent operations to permit the proper connection of the HEGO sensor. Such corrective action can be time consuming and costly. Therefore, there is a need in the art to prevent the current occurrence of deformation found in circular draw-forms during subsequent forming operations. [0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a draw-form and a method for producing a draw-form in a tubular structure that either does not deform, or minimally deforms, so as to maintain the required flat portion needed for the proper connection of components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a tubular member having an outer wall, and a draw-form formed in the outer wall. The draw-form comprises a substantially flat bottom portion, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion and attached to the outer wall, and wherein the walls are configured in a polygonal orientation. [0009] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust tube that comprises a tube having an outer wall defining an interior exhaust passage, a draw-form formed in the outer wall. The draw-form comprises a substantially flat bottom portion, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion and integrally attached to the outer wall, and wherein the walls are configured in a polygonal orientation to substantially prevent deformation of the draw-form during subsequent forming operations. [0010] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a draw-form. The method comprises placing a tubular member having an outer wall in a fixture, forming a substantially flat bottom portion in the outer wall of the tube, forming a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion and attached to the outer wall, wherein the walls are configured in a polygonal orientation to maintain the bottom portion substantially free from deformation during subsequent forming operations. [0011] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: [0013] FIG. A is a top view of a tubular member having a previously known circular draw-form therein; [0014] FIG. 1 is a top view of a tubular member having a previously known circular draw-form and HEGO boss showing deformation thereof after a secondary forming operation; [0015] FIG. 2 is an interior view of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tubular member having a draw-form according to the present invention. [0017] FIG. 4 is an interior view of FIG. 3; [0018] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the draw-form shown in FIG. 3; [0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view and close-up thereof of a tubular member having a draw-form with a MIG welded HEGO boss connected thereto; and Continue reading about Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture... Full patent description for Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method of manufacturing a heat dissipating device Next Patent Application: Method for installing a valve member in an auxillary control valve device Industry Class: Metal working ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.65234 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
