Abstract: Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A method of forming a fluid conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes providing a copper tube having a first inner diameter and a first wall thickness, and heat treating an end portion of the copper tube to a predetermined hardness. The method can further include increasing the wall thickness of the end portion from the first wall thickness to a second wall thickness, and increasing the inner diameter of the end portion from the first inner diameter to a second inner diameter. The method further includes forming a circular groove in an interior surface of the end portion and positioning a seal in the circular groove.

Abstract: In a tube expanding apparatus of a damper tube supporting a thrust force of a punch applied to the damper tube by a stopper at a time of retaining one end of the damper tube by the stopper, inserting the other end of the damper tube to a die, inserting the punch to the other end of the damper tube so as to propel, and expand the other end of the damper tube while carrying out an ironing operation, the apparatus is provided with a stopper releasing means for releasing the stopper at a time when a load in an axial direction applied to the damper tube due to an elongation by the ironing work of the damper tube increases over a critical load which is previously determined to be a smaller load than an expected buckling load in the damper tube.

Abstract: In a method for producing a coupling on a pipe, preferably consisting of copper or steel or Cu—, Ni—, Fe— alloys, by way of a preferably graduated or one-stage expansion of the pipe end to create a much larger difference in diameter, an expansion tool is introduced axially into the end of the pipe. Once the expansion tool has been introduced into the pipe end, the region of the pipe end that is to be or has been expanded is completely or partially compressed, by a force acting axially on the pipe end, so that the external diameter of the pipe end that is to be processed is delimited by one or more shaping jaws that completely or partially surround the pipe end. The invention also relates to a device for producing a coupling on a pipe end according to the method.

Abstract: A process for producing a hollow monoblock shaft from a pipe, the pipe initially having a constant diameter and a constant wall thickness, and the monoblock component including at least one area of its length being of a smaller outside diameter and a greater wall thickness than the constant diameter and constant wall thickness of the pipe. The process can be carried out simply and economically by the following process steps: selecting a pipe with a wall thickness which corresponds to the smallest wall thickness of the finished component, partial heating of at least one area of the pipe, axial upsetting the heated area of the pipe and radial forging the heated area of the pipe.

Abstract: A metal gas-feed tube for a head air bag automotive vehicle has a sleeve formed on a bent end thereof to fit onto a connecting fitting of a gas generator. That sleeve is formed in part from an unbent region of the tube by pressing a mandrel into the end of the tube which lies outside a die so that the rear end of the sleeve is formed from a bent portion while the free end is not subjected to bending deformation in the production of the bend.

Abstract: A process by which the end of a tube having at least one internal surface feature is reduced and at least a portion of the surface feature eliminated from the tube end while achieving accurate control of the outer diameter of the tube end. The process preferably makes use of a forming tool comprising an external die for reducing the outer diameter of a tube and a mandrel for deforming the internal passage of the tube. The process generally comprises forcing the external die over the end of the tube so that the outer diameter of the tube end is reduced and so that the mandrel is simultaneously inserted through the internal passage of the tube end. While the tube end remains within the external die, the mandrel is withdrawn from the internal passage of the tube end to eliminate the internal surface feature.

Abstract: A cold forging process and apparatus for reinforcing an end of a rectangular tube, including a close fitting, rectangular upper mandrel that inserts into the tubing. The upper mandrel has flared corners at the end attached to the upper die. As the upper die is moved under pressure towards the lower die, the flared corners of the mandrel makes contact with the inner surface of the tube. This ensures that the tube begins to deform outward before the rest of the upper die contacts it. As the upper die is pressed towards contact with the lower die, the end of the tube is cold formed into a collar. The dies are then moved apart and the cold-formed tube removed. A lower mandrel positions and retains the tube during forming. After forming the lower mandrel is used to eject the formed part, which may for instance be a trailer hitch housing.

Abstract: A method of forging a trailer receiver tube by providing a die having an inner surface defining a first portion and a second portion. Providing a hollow tube having an outer surface. Providing a punch having a body and a shaft extending therefrom sized to fit within the hollow tube. Loading the hollow tube within the first portion of the die. Inserting the punch into the hollow tube such that the body abuts an end of the hollow tube and the shaft extends therethrough. Advancing the punch and the hollow tube through the die such that a portion of the hollow tube is extruded into the second portion of the die and the outer surface of the hollow tube conforms to the inner surface of the die to thereby form the trailer receiver tube.

Abstract: Special steel press fittings are produced in two process steps, which can be performed simultaneously, or also one after the other. The cut to size blank is widened in a die is upset in order to form the desired pipe connection areas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method using steps of placing a tube in an opening matrix having an impression corresponding to the desired final external shape; inserting the end of the tube into a cavity of a shaping component, the cavity having a base, a side wall with adapted shape, and an opening opposite the base; pressing the end of the tube against the base of the cavity, leaving a clearance between the opening of the cavity and the matrix; applying an essentially axial force on the end of the tube, the zone application of the force rotating about a longitudinal axis of the tube thereby causing gradual deformation of the tube; withdrawing the end of the deformed tube outside the cavity of the shaping component and outside the matrix.

Abstract: A cylindrical portion formed in the inside end portion of the hub is caulked and spread using a pressing mold assembled to an oscillating/caulking apparatus to thereby form the caulking portion. In working or forming the caulking portion, a cylindrical projecting portion formed in the central portion of the leading end face of the pressing mold is inserted into the cylindrical portion to thereby prevent the inside diameter of the cylindrical portion from reducing excessively.

Abstract: A fuel inlet comprises an inlet pipe, a breather tube, a retainer, a spiral groove, and the like. The inlet pipe is formed by processing a metal pipe and has an expanded portion, a taper portion, and a main body in the order from the fuel port. The expanded portion is formed by increasing the diameter by bulging. In order to prevent defects in the pipe such as cracks from being caused during bulging, SUS304, SUS304L, or SUS436 according to JIS is used as the material of the pipe. The diameter of the main body is 25.4 mm and the diameter of the expanded portion is 50 mm. A spiral groove on which a screw-type fuel port cap can be screwed is formed in the vicinity of the open end of the expanded portion, by crimping the inlet pipe and the retainer together. On the outer surface of the expanded portion in the vicinity of the open end is provided an outer-cylinder-like flange formed integrally with the inlet pipe.

Abstract: A process for cold forming the ends of metal tubes to reinforce same includes a die cavity into which the tube is placed. The die cavity includes a section with a recess having a greater diameter than the tube. The tube is placed such that a portion is left outside of the cavity and a mandrel is inserted into the tube. The mandrel includes a section that is adapted to bear against the portion of the tube outside of the cavity and to deform same. The deformation process results in the tube being folded upon itself within the recess in the cavity thereby forming a reinforcing flange at the end of the tube. The process is conducted without heating the tube.

Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: A tool kit for forming a double flare on the end of deformable tubing includes a jig or bar assembly for holding the tubing, a combination gauge and tube forming anvil or adapter and a cone and yoke assembly. The gauge and tube forming anvil includes a lateral flange which is used to set the amount of extension of tubing from the bar assembly prior to deformation of the tubing by the adapter or anvil.