US 12,240,527 B2
Inflatable-based process for controlling structural foam reinforcement molding
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Ruoyu Sun, Champaign, IL (US); and Girish Krishnan, Mahomet, IL (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US); and THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Urbana, IL (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US); and The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/818,528.
Prior Publication US 2024/0051606 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 25/04 (2006.01); B29C 44/18 (2006.01); B29C 44/58 (2006.01); B62D 29/00 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29K 105/04 (2006.01); B29K 105/24 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 25/04 (2013.01) [B29C 44/18 (2013.01); B29C 44/587 (2013.01); B29C 44/588 (2013.01); B62D 29/002 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29K 2105/048 (2013.01); B29K 2105/24 (2013.01); B29L 2031/30 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process of forming a structural component for a vehicle, comprising:
inserting a bladder into a first hollow passage defined by an interior surface of a component;
inflating the bladder in the first hollow passage;
forming a cavity between the bladder and the interior surface;
filling the cavity with a polymer resin;
foaming the polymer resin to form a polymer resin foam structural reinforcement contacting the interior surface of the component;
deflating the bladder; and
removing the bladder from the first hollow passage.