Draw-form for exhaust components and method of manufacture

• US 20060059683A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John A. Catalogna, Matthew A. Schacht, Michael J. Blackie
• Original Assignee: John A. Catalogna, Matthew A. Schacht, Michael J. Blackie
• Inventors: Catalogna, John A., Blackie, Michael J., Schacht, Matthew A.
• Application Number:
  US11/184,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20060059683A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/890.80
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/88 other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/008 Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/08 Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49398 Muffler, manifold or exhaust pipe making

Abstract

Exhaust tubes comprise tubular structures having draw-forms formed 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. In such circumstances, it is, therefore, useful that such draw-forms have substantially flat portions. 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.

Claims

1. A tubular member comprising:

an outer wall; and

a draw-form formed in said outer wall, said draw-form comprising;

a substantially flat bottom portion;

a plurality of walls extending upwardly from said bottom portion and attached to said outer wall; and

wherein said walls are configured in a polygonal orientation.

2. The tubular member of claim 1, wherein said draw-form further includes an aperture extending through said bottom portion.

3. The tubular member of claim 2, wherein said walls have substantially rounded corners.

4. The tubular member of claim 3, wherein said walls are integrally formed with said bottom potion.

5. The tubular member of claim 4, wherein said polygonal configuration is a rectangular configuration.

6. The tubular member of claim 4, wherein said polygonal configuration is a square configuration.

7. The tubular member of claim 3, wherein polygonal configuration of said walls substantially prevent deformation of said draw-form during subsequent forming operations.

8. The tubular member of claim 7, wherein said bottom portion remains substantially free from deformation during subsequent forming operations.

9. The tubular member of claim 7, wherein said subsequent forming operations includes swaging said tubular member.

10. The tubular member of claim 1, wherein said walls are substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion.

11. An exhaust tube comprising:

a tube having an outer wall defining an interior exhaust passage;

a draw-form formed in said outer wall, said draw-form comprising;

a substantially flat bottom portion;

a plurality of walls extending upwardly from said bottom portion and integrally attached to said outer wall; and

wherein said walls are configured in a polygonal orientation to substantially prevent deformation of said draw-form during subsequent forming operations.

12. The exhaust tube of claim 11, further including an aperture extending through said bottom portion.

13. The exhaust tube of claim 12, wherein said walls have substantially rounded corners.

14. The exhaust tube of claim 13, wherein said polygonal configuration is a rectangular configuration.

15. The exhaust tube of claim 13, wherein said polygonal configuration is a square configuration.

16. The exhaust tube of claim 13, wherein said rounded corners act as strengthening ridges.

17. The exhaust tube of claim 16, wherein said bottom portion remains substantially free from deformation during subsequent forming operations.

18. The exhaust tube of claim 17, further comprising a heated exhaust gas oxygen boss inserted into said draw-form, wherein said heated exhaust gas oxygen boss includes projections for assisting in attaching said heated exhaust gas oxygen boss to said draw-form.

19. The exhaust tube of claim 18, further comprising a heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor inserted into said heated exhaust gas oxygen boss.

20. The exhaust tube of claim 19, wherein said subsequent forming operations includes swaging said tubular member.

21. A method of manufacturing a draw-form, said method comprising:

placing a tubular member having an outer wall in a fixture;

forming a substantially flat bottom portion in said outer wall of said tube;

forming a plurality of walls extending upwardly from said bottom portion and attached to said outer wall, wherein said walls are configured in a polygonal orientation to maintain said bottom portion substantially free from deformation during subsequent forming operations.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising swaging said tube wherein deformation of said draw-form is substantially prevented.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said walls have rounded corners that act as strengthening ridges.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said polygonal configuration comprises a rectangular configuration.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said polygonal configuration comprises a square configuration.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein forming said substantially flat bottom portion is formed by a stamp.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said substantially flat bottom portion, said walls, and said aperture are formed by a single operation.