Abstract: A compact multiple coil heat exchanger having a high heat transfer density is provided to include at least an inner coil formed from a continuous tube into a plurality of contiguous turns about a common axis in a spiral arrangement and having a pitch in one direction and an outer coil formed from the continuous tube into a plurality of overlapping turns concentrically about the inner coil in a spiral arrangement having an opposite pitch. Further, a coil-forming apparatus and continuous coil-forming method is directed to form a multiple coil heat exchanger from a continuous tube using a coil-forming die rotatably mounted on a support frame. The coil-forming die includes a continuous spiral thread constructed to receive and laterally support the continuous tube while fabricating the multiple coil heat exchanger according to the continuous coil-forming method of this invention.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine has a pipe feed rate setter. A bending unit has a bending roller and a drive for displacing the bending roller in the plane of bending, and a follow-up roller. The follow-up roller is arranged for engagement with the pipe after the pipe has been subjected to the action of the bending roller and is secured to one arm of a two-arm lever having a pivot axis which intersects the center line of the incoming pipe. The other arm of the lever carries a movable contact of the bending roller drive. The contact alternately engages two stationary contacts of the drive.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a novel arrangement for applying forces to urns of a vertically extending helical coil which is wound about a support. The apparatus includes a first rigid member extending towards the turns. A second rigid member extends transversely from the end of the first and has a vertically extending face provided with a generally straight groove extending transversely of the turns. A longitudinal passage in the first member connects to the groove to form therewith a continuous guideway for rollable articles. A rigid lug longitudinally movable in the groove is provided with a projection which extends out of the groove and beneath the bottom of a selected turn of the coil. A train of rigid, rollable articles is disposed in the guideway inwardly of the lug. Means are provided for applying force to that end of the train which is relatively remote from the lug, to urge the latter against the bottom face of the selected turn.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At the work station of the machine appropriate coiling dyes are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by means of an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decrease to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: This apparatus contains a plurality of die-forming roller pairs which form corrugations longitudinally in ductile strip material. The die-forming rollers are gear driven from an electric motor of adjustable speed. One die roller of each pair has an eccentric mounting to provide adjustment of the space between roller pairs. The side edges of the strip material are formed into an inside and an outside seam element. A pair of rotatably mounted curling rollers provides the corrugated strip material with the proper radius of curvature and helical angle for convolution into corrugated tubing. An adjustment means is provided which simultaneously sets the proper position both pivotally and laterally of said curling roller pair according to tubing diameter selected. Radially adjustable guide rollers guide the circumference of the strip during convolution. A pair of support rollers and a run-out table support the tubing as it is produced.

Abstract: A length of flexible metal piping includes an interlockably shaped metal band spirally formed into a plurality of winding groups wherein each group includes a plurality of interlocked windings. Each of the winding groups are connected to each other by at least one free winding wherein the leading portion of a first winding is separated from the leading portion of a corresponding subsequent winding and interlocking is prevented for at least one revolution. Each free winding, which constitutes one circumference of the piping, is formed by the insertion of a shaping tool into contact with the leading portion of the free winding prior to the point where this leading portion would normally interlock with the leading portion of a corresponding subsequent winding one revolution later. The shaping tool alters the cross-sectional arrangement of the metal band such that interlocking of that portion of this spiralling band which is contacted by the shaping tool is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending tubes into three-dimensional helices or coils comprises means for intermittent clamping of the tube, a first substantially stationary shaping member having a groove, which extends in an arc of at least approximately 180.degree. and defines a first substantially plane surface, as well as a rotatable shaping roller whose rotational axis is movable substantially along a circular arc for performing the tube bending operation. Said shaping roller has an endless, circumferential groove, which has substantially the same cross sectional shape as that of the stationary shaping member and half of the cross section of the tube and defines a second substantially plane surface. Said shaping roller is displaceable with respect to the stationary shaping member substantially perpendicularly to the second plane surface which forms an obtuse angle with the first substantially plane surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding a linear, elongated object into a coil including a bending roller assembly for bending the linear, elongated object into loops of the coil, and a leveling device for bringing the curvature of the coil to a predetermined level. The leveling device includes a base movable toward and away from the bending roller assembly so as to adjust the spacing between the bending roller assembly and the base, a plurality of sliders supported by the base and located circumferentially of the coil in spaced relation to one another for movement in sliding motion toward and away from the center of curvature of the coil, a plurality of leveling roller assemblies each supported by one of the sliders for imparting a bending moment to the coil to correct the curvature thereof to a desired value, and an actuator for radially positioning the sliders in accordance with the spacing between the bending roller assembly and the base.

Abstract: A readily adjustable machine which continuously produces corrugated flexible metal tubing from very light gauge metal and of various diameters. A warping ring receives therewithin a longitudinally corrugated narrow strip of formable metal of light gauge and warps the same helically to produce convolutions by means of a helical warping surface which extends into one of the longitudinal corrugations. The size of the tube produced can be varied by merely substituting a warping ring of a different size. A uniquely shaped pair of die-forming rollers have lock-seam forming surfaces which are adjustable relative to each other to provide variation in the degree to which the seam will permit and withstand axial torque. The lock seam is constructed to be symmetrical about the neutral axis of the corrugation and about the slope line of the common corrugation leg of adjacent convolutions which it constitutes.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming pipe from an elongated metal strip including a supply reel for the strip, an elongated tubular carrier, an axle at one end of the carrier for supporting the supply reel and edge-forming means for bending the edges of the strip to join them in a helical fashion to form the pipe wall. In one embodiment, the supply reel is supported at one end of the carrier and the strip is guided through the carrier and out through an opening near the other end. The carrier is supported for horizontal rotation. Near the opening there are guide rolls arranged in a helical path so that the strip emerges through the carrier, goes through the guide rolls, and then goes through the edge-forming devices including profiling and rabbeting rolls, also helically arranged. A motor is mounted at that end of the carrier and a chain drive from the motor drives the profiling and rabbeting rolls.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coiling long lengths of substantially rigid pipe. Sections of pipe can be welded into a length several thousand feet long which is then bent to form a continuous spiral. Preferably, the pipe is stored in a vertical coil, with the weight being carried solely by the lowermost coil.

Abstract: In forming a metal plate or the like into a helical seam pipe, the plate is deformed by bending rolls each made up of individual forming rolls. The forming rolls are exposed to shearing forces if the plate varies its direction of travel toward the forming rolls. To prevent the continued presence of shearing forces, the forming rolls are pivotally mounted on a support which is displaceably guided within a holder and an adjusting mechanism is connected to the support and the forming rolls to adjust the setting angle of the forming rolls in accordance with the direction of travel of the plate toward the forming rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the continuous treatment of a semi-worked filamentary of strand-like metal material of indefinite length, arranged helically, of which the turns, supported and driven by rotating horizontal shafts, are immersed in a treating agent.An apparatus of this kind comprises two capstans or winches fitted with idle satellites or rollers; two strands of material coming from delivery units are bent thereon and assume the shape of two helices supported and driven respectively by pairs of horizontal shafts, and immersed in a treatment agent contained in a tank. The two helices rotate in opposite directions their turns interpenetrating, so that they guide each other; the size of each turn is regulated at the same time, if it increases, by its possible contact with one of the shafts bearing the other helix, and by the distance, adjustable during operation, between the two shafts of the pair bearing it.