Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the orienting of the ends of a finite length segment of tube following a bend thereof through a predefined angle. At least one straight finite length segment of tube is supplied to the tube bender for bending the tube about a bend axis. The two ends of the tube, following the bend, are measured to determine the distance between the end face of each leg to the bend axis. Appropriate adjustment is made to a pushing member to keep the ends of the tube in a generally coplanar relation. Additional measurement is performed to facilitate adjustment between the tube supply device and the tube bending mechanism.

Abstract: A supply of continuous thin wall tubing which is drawn by a pair of opposed conveyor belts frictionally engaging the outside surfaces of the tubing first through a tube straightening device before the tube walls become engaged with the aforesaid conveyor belts so that straightened tubing is always subjected to engagement with the surfaces on the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts effect a longitudinal driving movement of the tubing into and through a tube cutting device and thence into a tube length control for accurately positioning the tube relative to the tube cutters in the tube cutting device and before the tube is cut. Once the tube length detection circuitry in the tube length control has been satisfied by the positioning of the tubing, the tube cutters in the tube cutting device is activated to sever the tubing.

Abstract: A supply of continuous thin wall tubing which is drawn by a pair of opposed conveyor belts frictionally engaging the outside surfaces of the tubing first through a tube straightening device before the tube walls become engaged with the aforesaid conveyor belts so that straightened tubing is always subjected to engagement with the surfaces on the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts effect a longitudinal driving movement of the tubing into and through a tube cutting device and thence into a tube length control for accurately positioning the tube relative to the tube cutters in the tube cutting device and before the tube is cut. Once the tube length detection circuitry in the tube length control has been satisfied by the positioning of the tubing, the tube cutters in the tube cutting device is activated to sever the tubing.

Abstract: A supply of continuous thin wall tubing which is drawn by a pair of opposed conveyor belts frictionally engaging the outside surfaces of the tubing first through a tube straightening device before the tube walls become engaged with the aforesaid conveyor belts so that straightened tubing is always subjected to engagement with the surfaces on the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts effect a longitudinal driving movement of the tubing into and through a tube cutting device and thence into a tube length control for accurately positioning the tube relative to the tube cutters in the tube cutting device and before the tube is cut. Once the tube length detection circuitry in the tube length control has been satisfied by the positioning of the tubing, the tube cutters in the tube cutting device is activated to sever the tubing.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander for expanding tubes into interlocked relationship with fins. Structure is provided for in situ storage of the expander rods and facilitating use of selected expander rods during a cycle of operation.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting elongate flat-walled tubular stock into preselected lengths which cutting device includes opposed circular cutting blades that are laterally movable to effect a transverse cut across the tubing. The cutting blades are rotatably mounted and engaged with a locking assembly to prevent rotation thereof. Each cutting blade includes a peripheral cutting edge incrementally defining a plurality of contact portions with one contact portion being disposed in an active cutting position and the remainder of the contact portions being disposed in inactive standby positions. Each cutting portion has an arcuate shape so as to minimize the vertical components of the cutting force being applied thereby as the depth of the cut approaches an interior surface of the tubing.

Abstract: A tube bending apparatus having a base and a bend arbor thereon and an X-axis extending spindle selectively rotatably mounted on the base for movement along the X-axis and for lateral movement in orthogonal Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The spindle has a clamping mechanism on the distal end thereof. A tube bend effecting arm is hinged relative to the bend arbor and is swingable about a bend axis. An elongate track is provided laterally offset from the base and extends continuously in a direction parallel to the X-axis. A tube loader is mounted on and for movement along the elongate track. The tube loader includes a feed mechanism for sequentially feeding one tube at a time to a specified position axially aligned with the spindle when in either of the first and second locations of the tube loader.

Abstract: A tube transfer device which includes a tube conveyor for transporting processed tubes from an entry location to an exit location thereon. The tube conveyor includes a plurality of first tube holders thereon which are adapted to hold the processed tubes so that axes thereof will extend parallel to one another and be laterally spaced apart a first distance from one another at the aforesaid entry location. A movable tube shuttle is provided for shifting processed tubes between a first position and a second position located adjacent the aforesaid entry location to the tube conveyor. The tube shuttle includes movable second tube holders adapted to receive the processed tubes when at the aforesaid first position and while maintaining a second distance between the processed tubes.

Abstract: A tube transfer device which includes a tube conveyor for transporting processed tubes from an entry location to an exit location thereon. The tube conveyor includes a plurality of first tube holders thereon which are adapted to hold the processed tubes so that axes thereof will extend parallel to one another and be laterally spaced apart a first distance from one another at the aforesaid entry location. A movable tube shuttle is provided for shifting processed tubes between a first position and a second position located adjacent the aforesaid entry location to the tube conveyor. The tube shuttle includes movable second tube holders adapted to receive the processed tubes when at the aforesaid first position and while maintaining a second distance between the processed tubes.

Abstract: A sheet metal working apparatus having a supply mechanism adapted to supply an elongated and flat strip of sheet metal stock to an inlet of a punch press and along a longitudinal axis of the strip. An intermittently operable drive device is provided for effecting an intermittent movement of the strip of sheet metal stock relative to a punch press. A set of tools are provided on the punch press as well as a second intermittent drive device for effecting a metal working engagement of the tools with the sheet metal stock during intervals of time between the movement of the sheet metal stock to produce a continuous strip of a finished sheet metal fin stock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the orienting of the ends of a finite length segment of tube following a bend thereof through a predefined angle. A supplying and delivering device supplies at least one straight finite length segment of tube to a tube bender for bending the tube about a bend axis. A first end of the finite length segment is oriented a predetermined distance from a bend axis about which the finite length segment is to be bent. The finite length segment is clamped to the bend arbor for movement therewith. The bend arbor is moved through the predefined angle to effect a bending of the finite length segment while simultaneously pushing the first end of said finite length segment toward a location whereat the finite length segment is clamped to the bend arbor.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander for simultaneously expanding plural hairpin tubes into interlocked relationship with plural fins which includes a frame on which is provided a receiver to support the bent portions of the hairpin tubes in an assembly of fins loosely stacked on the straight leg portions of the hairpin tubes. A support structure is also provided on the frame for engaging and supporting a first endmost fin that is oriented immediately adjacent to but spaced from the receiver. A pressure plate carrying a plurality of expander rods is provided and each of the expander rods is aligned with the hairpin tubes. A stripper plate structure having plural guide openings therethrough is also provided. The expander rods extend through the guide openings. Structure is provided on the stripper plate for engaging a second endmost sheet of the assembly of fins at an end thereof which is remote from the receiver.

Abstract: A device for sequentially stretched straightening a tube and bending same into a U-shape. The device includes a track for guiding a tube. A hold clamp is fixedly positioned on the track. A feed clamp is movably positioned on the track. A feed clamp is movably guided along the track between a first position adjacent the hold clamp and a second position at a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism is reciprocally shiftable along the track and is adapted to control the final increment of travel of the feed clamp during a movement thereof toward the second position. A tube cutting mechanism is oriented adjacent the hold clamp. A control activates the hold clamp to grip the tube while simultaneously effecting a movement of the feed clamp, when the clamping structure thereon is deactivated, away from the hold clamp toward the second position until it reaches the stop mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander having a construction which facilitates a machine setup prior to coil assembly without necessitating the machine operator to leave a control panel, this being due to all setup and locking features being accomplished from the control panel. Thus, an operator climbing on ladders to various and remote locations on the machine are not necessary. This feature is accomplished by orienting a pre-size clamp and a strip clamp on opposite sides of the stripper plate and tracking the position of the stripper plate relative to the receiver in order to enable the pre-size clamp to be correctly positioned and clamped to a piston rod driven upwardly by pressurized air.

Abstract: A hairpin tube receiver includes a plurality of inependently rotatable receiver posts which have cavities in their upper ends for receiving the bends of hairpin tubes. The receiver posts can be independently rotated to selectable positions in order that the hairpin tube receiver can support the bends of hairpin tubes which are arranged in a variety of different configurations.

Abstract: A structure is provided for mounting the expander rods of a mechanical tube expander. The mounting structure comprises a slide plate which can be moved between a first position in which the expander rods are in locked condition and a second position in which the expander rods are in unlocked condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming heat-transfer elements wherein platelike fins are secured to the outside wall of a heat-transfer tube. There is provided a bullet-shaped tool which is axially slidably inserted into the heat-transfer tube to effect radial expansion thereof into gripping engagement with the surrounding fins. The tool is freely rotatably supported on the end of a pushing rod, and the peripheral surface of the tool has spiral grooves therein which define small teeth therebetween. By axially pushing the tool into the tube, the teeth bite into the internal wall of the tube and, due to the helical orientation of these teeth, the axial displacement of the tool into the tube causes the tool to simultaneously rotate. This causes not only radial expansion of the tube for gripping the fins, but simultaneously results in the formation of spiral-like grooves on the internal wall of the tube.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for cutting and forming tubing, which apparatus has a tubing-advancing drive unit associated therewith for engaging the tubing and intermittently feeding it into the apparatus, and a coil stand positioned adjacent the apparatus for permitting elongate flexible tubing to be intermittently supplied thereto. The coil stand includes a frame mounting thereon a shaft, and a reel supported on the shaft and being rotatable about the axis thereof. The reel includes a pair of end flanges which confine a coil of tubing therebetween, which tubing as unwound from the reel is led therefrom into the forming apparatus wherein it is engaged by the drive unit thereof. A drive means is engageable with the reel to initiate rotation thereof in an unwinding direction to permit feeding of tubing from the reel to the apparatus, which drive means is automatically disengaged from the reel after a selected interval to permit continued free rotation of the reel in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling apparatus are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.