FORSLUND, Linda (Borev. 6A, Tyresoe, Tyresoe, SE)
MARQUIS, Robert (92 Bridgewater Boulevard, Berwick, Victoria, Victoria, AU)
BAI, Yangshi (Yanjingli Middle Road 3-3-1-401, Chaoyang District, Beijing 6, 100026, CN)
EDFAST, Fredrik (Ankarv. 11, Lulea, Lulea, SE)
FORSLUND, Linda (Borev. 6A, Tyresoe, Tyresoe, SE)
MARQUIS, Robert (92 Bridgewater Boulevard, Berwick, Victoria, Victoria, AU)
BAI, Yangshi (Yanjingli Middle Road 3-3-1-401, Chaoyang District, Beijing 6, 100026, CN)
| Clai ms Metallic structure comprising two substantially planar metallic sheets arranged essentially parallel and at a distance from each other, and at least one corrugated metallic sheet arranged between the two planar sheets c h a racte ri zed i n that said corrugated sheet and/or said planar sheet comprise a receptacle arranged therein, the structure further comprising an adhesive arranged in said receptacle, said adhesive adapted to bond said corrugated sheet to one of said planar sheets. Metallic structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receptacle has an elongated extension in a plane parallel to said planar sheets. Metallic structure in accordance with any of claims 1 or 2, wherein said corrugated sheet has a substantially sinusoidal shape relative to a plane parallel to the planar sheets. Metallic structure in accordance with any of claims 1 or 2 wherein said corrugated sheet has a substantially flat first surface, said first surface arranged substantially parallel to the extension of the planar sheets. Metallic structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein the corrugated sheet comprises a second flat surface, said second surface having an extension in a non-parallel and non-perpendicular relation to the extension of the planar sheets. Metallic structure according to any of the preceding claims wherein said corrugated sheet consists of steel. 7. Metallic structure according to claim 6 wherein said steel is a low-alloyed steel. 8. Metallic structure in accordance with any of the preceding claims wherein said adhesive is an elastic adhesive. 9. Metallic structure in accordance with any of the preceding claims wherein said adhesive is an adhesive which expands during curing. 10. Metallic structure in accordance with any of the preceding claims wherein the thickness of at least one of the planar sheets is at least 0.4 mm. 1 1 . Metallic structure in accordance with any of the preceding claims wherein the thickness of the corrugated sheet is at least 0.2 mm. |
The present disclosure relates in general to a metallic structure comprising two sheets arranged in parallel and a corrugated metallic sheet arranged between said planar sheets.
Backgrou nd
Metallic structures comprising a plurality of layers in the form of sheets are widely used within various different technical fields. For example, catalytic converters are made of thin corrugated sheets separated from each other by substantially planar sheets. In this case, the sheets are corrugated in order to increase the surface of the catalytic converter. Corrugated sheets in metallic structures may however also have other purposes such as reducing the weight of the structure or to provide additional strength to the structure. In most cases, the different layers of the metallic structure are held together by welds or brazings. It is also previously known metallic structures wherein the layers are held together metallurgically achieved by diffusion bonding. With the development of better adhesive capable of bond metallic structures, such metallic structures are presently present on the market. There is a need for further development of these types of structures, especially for applications where vibration damping is an important property. Moreover, structures have a limitation in the possible movement of the different layers of the metallic structure.
Su mmary
The object of the invention is an improved metallic structure with vibration damping properties, having a comparably low weight and being adapted to carry heavy loads. The object is achieved by means of the metallic structure in accordance with independent claim 1 . Embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.
The metallic structure in accordance with the present invention comprises two substantially planar metallic sheets arranged essentially parallel and at a distance from each other. A corrugated metallic sheet is arranged between the two planar sheets. The metallic structure comprises a receptacle arranged in the corrugated sheet and/or one of said planar sheets, and an adhesive arranged in the receptacle. The adhesive arranged in the receptacle bonds the corrugated sheet to one of said planar sheets. By means of the invention, a metallic structure having a low weight and vibration damping properties is achieved. Furthermore, the metallic structure is able to carry heavy loads. The receptacle inter alia has the effect that the bonding surface between the different sheets of the metallic structure is increased, thus resulting in a more stable construction. According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacle is arranged at least in the corrugated sheet as this reduces the problem of positioning the adhesive during manufacturing. This is especially preferred in case the corrugated sheet is in the form of a sinuous shaped sheet.
Preferably, the receptacle has an elongated extension in a plane parallel to said planar sheets. This assures that there is sufficient adhesive along the entire structure. It is however also possible to utilize a plurality of receptacles.
The corrugated sheet may have a substantially sinusoidal shape relative to a plane parallel to the planar sheets. In accordance with another embodiment, the corrugated sheet has a substantially flat first surface, said first surface arranged substantially parallel to the extension of the planar sheets. Preferrably, the corrugated sheet comprises a second flat surface, said second surface having an extension in a non-parallel and non-perpendicular relation to the extension of the planar sheets.
Preferably, the corrugated sheet is made of steel, more preferably a low alloyed steel. The adhesive is suitably an elastic adhesive. This enables a small movement between the different sheets, thus providing a more stable structure and improving the vibration damping properties.
Moreover, the adhesive is suitably an adhesive which expands when cured. This further improves the stability of the structure and the vibration damping properties of the structure.
At least one of the planar sheets may preferably have a thickness of at least 0.4 mm. Moreover, the thickness of the corrugated sheet may suitably be at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm.
Brief descri ptio n of the d rawi ngs
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the metallic structure in accordance with one embodiment
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the metallic structure in accordance with another embodiment
Figure 3a shows a schematic view of a cross section of the metallic structure in accordance with yet another embodiment
Figure 3b shows a schematic view of a cross section of the metallic structure in accordance with yet another embodiment Figure 4a shows a schematic view of a cross section of the corrugated sheet in accordance with one embodiment
Figure 4b shows a schematic view of a cross section of the corrugated sheet in accordance with another embodiment
Figure 5 shows a magnified cross sectional view of the metallic structure in accordance with an embodiment
Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the corrugated sheet comprising two different arrangements of the receptacles Figure 7 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a metallic structure in accordance with the invention
Detai led descri ptio n The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The drawings shall not be considered drawn to scale since some features have been exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the invention. Moreover, the invention shall not be considered limited to the embodiments shown in the figures and described below, but may be varied within the scope of the claims.
In the present disclosure, the term "sheet" should be interpreted broadly and thus also includes plates and foils. Furthermore, the term "corrugated sheet" shall be considered to encompass both symmetrical and asymmetrical corrugated sheets. Even though the two parallel sheets are disclosed as planar, it will be readily apparent to the skilled person that the metallic structure may also be bent and that the term "planar" shall thus be considered to relate to the sheets being substantially evenly shaped.
The metallic structure in accordance with the present invention comprises two substantially planar metallic sheets arranged essentially parallel and at a distance from each other. A corrugated metallic sheet is arranged between the two planar sheets such that at least one of the planar sheets is arranged adjacent the corrugated sheet or even in direct contact thereto. The metallic structure further comprises a receptacle arranged in the corrugated sheet and/or one of said planar sheets. An adhesive is arranged at least in the receptacle in such a manner that it is able to effectively bond the planar sheet and the corrugated sheet to each other. The adhesive may be any adhesive capable of efficiently adhere the sheets of the metallic structure to each other. Such adhesives are previously known and are thus not described in the present disclosure. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is an elastic adhesive and thus enables some movement of the different sheets relative each other both in the parallel and perpendicular direction in relation to the extension of the planar sheet without risking detachment of the sheets. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the adhesive is an adhesive which expands during curing thereof. This enables a small distance between the planar sheet and the corrugated sheet thereby enabling further movement of said sheets relative each other.
The fact that the adhesive is arranged in a receptacle increases the surface of the adhesion without requiring a larger interface surface between the different sheets. Thereby, the sheets of the metallic structure will have a better adherence to each other. The receptacle may have any suitable geometrical cross sectional shape, such as a dome or semicircular shape, a rectangular or square shape, or a triangular shape. For certain geometrical shapes of the corrugated sheet, there might be a problem of ensuring proper alignment of the different sheets such that the adhesive will be positioned at the interface of the corrugated sheet and the planar sheet in case of the receptacle being arranged in the planar sheet.
Therefore, the receptacle is preferably arranged in the corrugated sheet in order to overcome the alignment problem and thus ensures a proper adhesion of the sheets.
Figure 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the metallic structure 1 . Two metallic planar sheets 2 are arranged parallel to each other and a corrugated metallic sheet 3 having a sinuous shaped cross section is arranged between the planar sheets 2. Receptacles 4 are arranged in the corrugated sheet 3 in the part thereof located adjacent a planar sheet 2. The receptacles 4 are filled with an adhesive (not shown) which ensures that the sheets 2, 3 are bonded to each other. It will be readily apparent to the skilled person that receptacles may be provided in the corrugated plate at all the locations where the corrugated plate is in the close vicinity (or direct contact) of any of the planar sheets. Alternatively, some of the contact points may be adhered to each other whereas the sheets are free to move relative each other in other points. It may also be possible that one or more contact points are welded to each other, even though this is less preferred.
An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 2 which differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 merely in the geometrical cross sectional shape of the corrugated sheet 3. As can be seen from the figure, the corrugated sheet 3 comprises a first flat surface 5 arranged substantially parallel to the planar sheets 2. Even though it would be possible to use a corrugated sheet having a substantially square or rectangular cross sectional shape, such a shape would generally not give sufficient vibration damping properties. Therefore, as can be seen from Figure 2, the corrugated sheet 3 may suitably have a flat second surface 6 which has an extension angled in relation to the parallel extension of planar sheets, such that the extension of the second surface is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the extension of the planar sheets 2. Thereby, when the metallic structure 1 is loaded, the part of the corrugated sheet comprising the second surface is able to slightly flex and more efficiently take up the load compared to if it had been perpendicular to the planar sheets.
Figure 3a schematically illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the receptacle 4a is arranged in the planar sheet, and Figure 3b schematically illustrates an embodiment wherein a receptacle 4a is arranged in the planar sheet and a corresponding receptacle 4b is arranged in the corrugated sheet 3.
The receptacle 4 may have different cross sectional geometrical shapes. For example, it may be essentially square or rectangular as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2. It may also be essentially semi-circular such as shown in Figure 4a or have an essentially triangular shape such as shown in Figure 4b.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the metallic structure, the adhesive is an expandable adhesive when cured. This further enables a more flexible movement of the sheets in relation to each other. Figure 5 shows a magnified schematic view of a metallic structure where such an expandable adhesive 7 has been used. As can be seen from the figure, the adhesive 7 has created a small distance x between the corrugated sheet 3 and the planar sheet 2.
The receptacle should preferably have an elongated extension y in a plane arranged parallel to the planar sheets as is shown in Figure 6. Preferably, the receptacle extends essentially along the entire extension the corrugated sheet as is shown in the left hand part of Figure 6. Moreover, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of receptacles 4" along an extension adapted to be in the adjacent planar sheet, as shown on the right hand of Figure 6. Even though the receptacles have been shown in figure 6 as being arranged in the corrugated sheet, these may alternatively be arranged in at least one of the planar sheets as previously disclosed.
It will be readily apparent to the skilled person that the metallic structure may comprise more than one corrugated sheet arranged between the planar sheets, and/or more than two planar sheets arranged essentially parallel to each other, as shown in Figure 7. The number of sheets of the metallic structure depends on the use thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the corrugated sheet consists of steel, preferably a high-strength low alloyed steel. This ensures that the metallic structure will be able to carry heavy loads and that it achieves the desired vibration damping properties. One example of a suitable steel is a steel comprising (in percent by weight): C max 0.25, Si max 0.7, Mn max 2.2
(preferably at least 1 ), Al max 0.05, Nb max 0.1 , Ti 0.05, B max 0.005, Cr max 0.8, V max 0.25, Cu max 0.3, Mo max 2.2, Ni max 2.0, balance iron and normally occurring impurities. Such a steel has a high hardness and high tensile strength, thus avoiding plastic deformation for example when the metallic structure is carrying a heavy load.
Naturally, it is possible that all sheets are made of steel. Preferably, a low alloyed steel, such as the one described above, is used for all sheets. It is however also possible to incorporate other metallic materials if desired. In order to provide a metallic structure which is suitable for use in applications wherein it is exposed to heavy loads, the thickness of at least one of the planar sheets should preferably be at least 0.4 mm. Moreover, the corrugated sheet may suitably have a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, more preferably at least 0.4 mm. These thicknesses of the planar sheet and the corrugated sheet render the metallic structure excellent vibration damping properties.
The metallic structure may be used in any type of application where there is a need of it being able to withstand heavy loads and/or vibrations.