Abstract

A vehicle battery tray that, along with a vehicle battery cover, is part of a vehicle battery enclosure that houses and protects a vehicle battery pack. The vehicle battery tray is a modular assembly that uses standardized parts, such as frame components and tray components, and can easily be adapted during manufacturing to fit different size battery packs for different applications and customers. In one example, two or more tray components are joined together to form a battery compartment, whereas in a different example each tray component forms a battery compartment on its own. The frame components may be made from an extruded aluminum-based material, and the tray components may be made from a casted aluminum-based material or a molded plastic material.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 50/64 - Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• B60L 50/60 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries

Abstract

A welding and deburring system is provided for joining first and second work pieces to one another. The system includes a friction stir welding tool for joining the first and second work pieces to one another at a weld. The system further includes a deburring tool attached to the friction stir welding tool and removing a material flash generated at the weld. The system further includes one or more nozzles disposed in a fixed position relative to the friction stir welding tool, with the nozzles directing a cryogenic fluid to at least one of the friction stir welding tool, the deburring tool, the first work piece, the second work piece, and the weld.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 20/00 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating
• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding

Abstract

The present invention provides a casting having increased crashworthiness including an an aluminum alloy of about 6.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % Si; about 0.12 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.35 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 4.0 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.6 wt % Mn; and less than or equal to about 0.15 wt % Fe, wherein the cast body is treated to a T5 or T6 temper and has a tensile strength ranging from 100 MPa to 180 MPa and has a critical fracture strain greater than 10%. The present invention further provides a method of forming a casting having increased crashworthiness.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22F 1/043 - Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of aluminium or alloys based thereon of alloys with silicon as the next major constituent
• C22C 21/04 - Modified aluminium-silicon alloys

Abstract

The present invention provides a casting having increased crashworthiness including an aluminum alloy of about 6.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % Si; about 0.12 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.35 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 4.0 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.6 wt % Mn; and less than or equal to about 0.15 wt % Fe, wherein the cast body is treated to a T5 or T6 temper and has a tensile strength ranging from 100 MPa to 180 MPa and has a critical fracture strain greater than 10%. The present invention further provides a method of forming a casting having increased crashworthiness.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22F 1/043 - Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of aluminium or alloys based thereon of alloys with silicon as the next major constituent

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a suspension assembly including a bolt made from a bolt material; a suspension component made from a suspension material, the suspension component having a suspension opening therethrough, the suspension opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a first portion of the bolt; and a bushing assembly including an elastomeric element and a bushing opening therethrough, the bushing opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a second portion of the bolt; wherein the suspension material has a yield strength that is substantially higher than a yield strength of the bolt material.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60G 7/02 - Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a suspension assembly including a bolt made from a bolt material; a suspension component made from a suspension material, the suspension component having a suspension opening therethrough, the suspension opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a first portion of the bolt; and a bushing assembly including an elastomeric element and a bushing opening therethrough, the bushing opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a second portion of the bolt; wherein the suspension material has a yield strength that is substantially higher than a yield strength of the bolt material.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60G 7/02 - Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a casting having increased crashworthiness including an aluminum alloy of about 6.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % Si; about 0.12 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.35 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 4.0 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.6 wt % Mn; and less than or equal to about 0.15 wt % Fe, wherein the cast body is treated to a T5 or T6 temper and has a tensile strength ranging from 100 MPa to 180 MPa and has a critical fracture strain greater than 10%. The present invention further provides a method of forming a casting having increased crashworthiness.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22C 21/02 - Alloys based on aluminium with silicon as the next major constituent
• C22C 21/04 - Modified aluminium-silicon alloys

Abstract

A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular-member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B22D 41/14 - Closures