Embodying Three Or More Tools (e.g., Tube Expander) Patents (Class 72/393)
  • Patent number: 8347477
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a shaping frame (2) of a pipe producing apparatus (1) includes a plurality of linking bodies (20) in which a pair of linking elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via a coupling shaft (23), a bending link (30) with opposite ends of which coupling elements are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which expands or contracts the shaping frame (2), a drive unit (40) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (25, 25) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which forcedly sends out a profile strip (100) from the inside, and a joint unit (80) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which is provided at a joint portion (120) of a winding of the profile strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kakine, Hiroshi Sugahara, Takushi Minagi, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8333102
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a pipe expander, the assembly comprising a first actuator, arranged to engage a pipe expander head and actuate the same a second actuator, spaced apart from the first actuator and operatively engaged therewith such that operation of the second actuator effects operation of the first actuator to actuate the pipe expander head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Adam Van Opynen, Lambert Van Opynen
  • Patent number: 8303295
    Abstract: The present invention is an expansion tool device for pliers or machine for producing sockets at the ends of pipes made out of plastic or composite material, used in the field of plumbing. The device includes a cylindrically-shaped ferrule formed by the tightening of several sector-shaped chucks. The chucks are movable in the radial direction under the action of the insertion between them of a tapered needle movable in axial translation through the actuation of the pliers or machine. The chucks are allowed to pass from a tightened position to a separated position. In an integrated way or in a unit designed capable of being intercalated between the ferrule and the pliers or machine, there is an automatic driver for the ferrule, when the ferrule passes from the separated position to the tightened position, directly or indirectly, in axial swiveling according to a portion of a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Virax, Societe par Actions Simplifiee
    Inventor: Aurélien Gueit
  • Patent number: 8302448
    Abstract: A method for cold expansion of a hole formed in a work piece. The method comprises providing a body comprising at least a cylindrically shaped part having an inner hole in axial direction of the body. The body further comprises along its circumferential direction a plurality of members which are movable in radial direction of the body, such that the outer diameter of the cylindrical part of the body can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Piet Woelcken, Eggert D. Reese, Timothy G. B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8276261
    Abstract: In a state where the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube, which has been expanded inside a grip portion of a chucking sleeve whose diameter has been reduced by a clamp bushing, is gripped by the grip portion, a tube expanding billet is inserted into a yet-unexpanded part of the heat-exchanging tube to cause tube expansion. When doing so, a guide portion, which is formed on a flare punch and has the same diameter as the maximum outer diameter of the tube expanding billet, is inserted inside the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube gripped by the grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Baba
  • Patent number: 8221110
    Abstract: A device for expanding a tubular elastic body, the device comprises a rigid tube to be introduced into at least a part of the elastic body and keep the elastic body in an expanded state, and an expansion means adapted to expand the elastic body and arranged to be introduced into a first end of the rigid tube. The expansion means is adapted to be movable inside the rigid tube and when the expansion means is fully introduced in the rigid tube, the expansion means protrudes at a second end of the rigid tube and thereby forms a transition between the rigid tube and the expansion element. One end of the expansion means is provided with a radially resilient expansion element with a width decreasing in the introduction direction of the expansion means into the first end of the rigid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Radim Lichy
  • Patent number: 8191395
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8117885
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8100186
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member using a lower expansion cone and an upper expandable cone. The apparatus includes an expandable tubular, a support member releasably secured to the expandable tubular, and an extendable section below where the support member is releasably anchored. An upper expandable cone is attached to the extendable section and in a retracted state and an anchor is disposed below the upper expandable cone. The anchor is releasable from below the upper expandable cone. A lower expansion cone is disposed below the anchor. An expansion sleeve is disposed in the lower end of the expandable tubular. The lower expansion cone is configured to expand the expansion sleeve radially outward to an outer diameter greater than the inside diameter of the expandable tubular when axially displaced downward by the extendable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory Marshall Noel
  • Publication number: 20120000266
    Abstract: A method for cold expansion of a hole formed in a work piece. The method comprises providing a body comprising at least a cylindrically shaped part having an inner hole in axial direction of the body. The body further comprises along its circumferential direction a plurality of members which are movable in radial direction of the body, such that the outer diameter of the cylindrical part of the body can be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Piet Wölcken, Eggert D. Reese, Timothy G.B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8069699
    Abstract: Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glenn, Jonathan M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8061178
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7984636
    Abstract: A mandrel usable for expanding a medical device is disclosed. The mandrel includes a first tube portion having a first lumen and a first tube diameter. A second tube portion extends from the first tube portion; the second tube portion is configured to receive a medical device. A second tube diameter is smaller than the first tube diameter. A plurality of tube segments are separated by a plurality of slots formed in the mandrel, while a second lumen is in communication with the first lumen. At least a portion of the plurality of tube segments is moveable outwardly to expand the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Milisav Obradovic, Rainer Bregulla
  • Patent number: 7980107
    Abstract: A reducing pipe expander that applies to casing deformation restoration of deep wells such as oil field and comprises a conical-nosed enclosure, a mandrel and several steel balls. The main body of the enclosure is equipped with several radial slotted holes to nest steel balls. Held by a taper, slant or curved face against insides of the slotted holes, the steel balls move axially, overhanging the enclosure. When the deformed casing pipe or patching pipe obstructs the pipe expander from moving forward, the steel balls will move in the reverse direction of the movement of the expander to directly expand the deformed pipe. When the expander can pass through the casing pipe or patching pipe, the steel balls will be free to return to their original status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Xiaoyong Li
  • Publication number: 20110138872
    Abstract: The present invention solves a problem with conventional tube expanding method for heat exchanger tubes that is susceptible, when carrying out tube expansion on U-shaped heat exchanger tubes that have a narrower diameter than in the past and forming flare portions in opening portions that have been subjected to tube expansion, to a buckling phenomenon at boundaries between straight portions and hairpin portions of the heat exchanger tubes or a vicinity thereof. Opening portions of U-shaped heat exchanger tubes 56 that pass through a fin layer 54 protrude from an upper end surface of the fin layer 54, hairpin portions 56b of the heat exchanger tubes 56 protrude from a lower end surface of the fin layer 54, and tube expanding billets 22 are inserted into each opening portion of the heat exchanger tubes 56 to carry out primary tube expansion that expands the diameter of each straight tube portion 56a of the heat exchanger tubes 56 to integrate the heat exchanger tubes 56 and fins 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Baba
  • Patent number: 7958766
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7946147
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Shimai, Toshio Ogura
  • Patent number: 7926319
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7926318
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7922475
    Abstract: The present invention is an expansion tool device for pliers or machine for producing sockets at the ends of pipes made out of plastic or composite material, used in the field of plumbing. The device includes a cylindrically-shaped ferrule formed by the tightening of several sector-shaped chucks. The chucks are movable in the radial direction under the action of the insertion between them of a tapered needle movable in axial translation through the actuation of the pliers or machine. The chucks are allowed to pass from a tightened position to a separated position. In an integrated way or in a unit designed capable of being intercalated between the ferrule and the pliers or machine, there is an automatic driver for the ferrule, when the ferrule passes from the separated position to the tightened position, directly or indirectly, in axial swivelling according to a portion of a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Virax, Société par actions simplifiée
    Inventor: Aurélien Gueit
  • Patent number: 7849724
    Abstract: The outer side of a pair of curved parts 3d of a longitudinal annular blank is pressed and energized towards the curved part 3d of the opponent side with a molding outer die 14 of a shaping device 13 to press and widen each curved part 3d to a large curved part of large curvature radius, and a half-finished article 17 is molded, and thereafter, the half-finished article 17 is pressed and widened by cooperative operation of a finishing inner die of the shaping device and a window part of a perfect circle functioning as an outer die to manufacture a ring-shaped member. Therefore, a yield rate or a percentage of the weight of the ring-shaped member with respect to the weight of the raw material and the yield rate or the percentage of the ring-shaped member with respect to the blank can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kanemitsu Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kanemitsu, Shuji Kanemitsu, Misao Oda, Masataka Ohnishi, Naoki Fujii, Kazuyuki Oda
  • Publication number: 20100257913
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member using an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member, an actuator coupled to the expansion device, and an anchor coupled to the actuator. The anchor includes a resilient member that is selectively deformable between a first position wherein the resilient member does not engage the expandable tubular member and a second position wherein the resilient member engages the expandable tubular member so as to releasably couple the anchor to the expandable tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce H. Storm, JR., Harsh Chowdhary
  • Patent number: 7770429
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Viegner, Jr., Walter Bauer
  • Patent number: 7765850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a cone and a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end, wherein a pipe-end zone is expanded by a wedge effect of the die, which results from a procedure that the cone and the die are inserted together into the pipe-end zone to be expanded, and that then only the cone is axially drawn outwards leaving the die within the pipe-end zone. A seamless steel pipe with an expanded pipe-end zone is manufactured by applying a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end. The resulting seamless steel pipe has satisfactory pipe-end dimensional accuracy, and exhibits characteristics with excellent field welding workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Arita, Masayoshi Akiyama, Kouichi Kuroda, Tatsuya Okui
  • Publication number: 20100180660
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a pipe expander, the assembly comprising a first actuator, arranged to engage a pipe expander head and actuate the same a second actuator, spaced apart from the first actuator and operatively engaged therewith such that operation of the second actuator effects operation of the first actuator to actuate the pipe expander head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Adam Van Opynen
    Inventors: Adam Van Opynen, Lambert Van Opynen
  • Patent number: 7617712
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7578161
    Abstract: Tools for expanding (i.e., flaring and swedging) the ends of metal tubes are configured for attachment to a powered impact hammer, such as an air hammer. A swedging tool for swedging an end of a metal tube has a swedging body with a die section for expanding the tube when driven thereinto and a flanged shank attached to the swedging body and configured for engagement by a powered impact hammer. A flaring tool for flaring an end of a metal tube includes a flaring body having a die section for flaring the tube when driven thereinto. A flanged shank is attached to the flaring body and configured for engagement by a powered impact hammer. A method for expanding an end of a metal tube entails attaching a die body for expanding the end of the metal tube to a powered impact hammer, aligning the die body with the inner diameter of the metal tube, activating the powered impact hammer, and urging the die body a determined distance into the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Marion M. Sizemore
  • Publication number: 20090205843
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Publication number: 20090193871
    Abstract: A radial expansion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: David Paul Brisco, Brock Wayne Watson, Mark Shuster, Malcolm Gray, Grigoriy Grinberg, Scott Costa, Russell Wasson
  • Publication number: 20090113979
    Abstract: A tool (10) for cold expansion of holes comprises a body (14) which has at least a cylindrically shaped part (16) having an inner hole (24) in axial direction of the body (14). The body (14) comprises along the circumferential direction a plurality of members (18, 18a, 18b, 18c) which are movable in radial direction of the body (14), such that the outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped part (16) of the body (14) can be changed. Furthermore a core (26, 26c) is provided which is insertable into the inner hole (24), wherein at least one of the core (26, 26c) and the inner hole (24) comprises a portion (28) of changing diameter and the inner hole (24) and the core (26, 26c) get into contact with each other upon insertion of the core, such that in dependency of the depth of the insertion of the core (26, 26c) into the inner hole (24) in axial direction the members (18, 18a, 18b, 18c) move radially outwardly and the outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped part (16) of the body (14) increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus France
    Inventors: Piet Wolcken, Eggert D. Reese, Timothy G.B. Jones
  • Patent number: 7509829
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090038366
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a cone and a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end, wherein a pipe-end zone is expanded by a wedge effect of the die, which results from a procedure that the cone and the die are inserted together into the pipe-end zone to be expanded, and that then only the cone is axially drawn outwards leaving the die within the pipe-end zone. A seamless steel pipe with an expanded pipe-end zone is manufactured by applying a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end. The resulting seamless steel pipe has satisfactory pipe-end dimensional accuracy, and exhibits characteristics with excellent field welding workability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Tsutomu Arita, Masayoshi Akiyama, Kouichi Kuroda, Tatsuya Okui
  • Patent number: 7464577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a workpiece is provided. The method includes applying a predetermined axial force to a tool, translating the axial force into a radial force in the workpiece using the tool, and generating a hoop stress in the work piece sufficient to relieve residual stress in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Steven Habedank, Daniel Edward Wines, Mark Wesley Johnson, Gregory Stephen Bechtel, Charles William Carrier
  • Patent number: 7397884
    Abstract: An aligning device for fuel elements allows fuel elements of a pressurized water reactor to be aligned in a comparatively easy and quick manner. To this end, the aligning device for fuel elements includes an aligning body, which extends in a longitudinal direction and whose lateral faces formed from side metal sheets can be displaced out of a position of rest in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The cross-sectional dimensions of the lateral faces of the aligning body in the position of rest are selected so that they are less than the corresponding cross-sectional dimension of a reference fuel element by a predetermined nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Areva NP GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Maas, Holger Weimer
  • Patent number: 7328602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe expanding device for expanding a thin pipe with a small diameter using elasticity and compressing and bending characteristics of a spring. Steel wires whose opposite contact sections are processed with a slope to be engaged in parallel so that contact length of both ends thereof are extended are bent and wound to form a ring spring having a single circumference with its body being partially cut off. This ring spring is used as a mold so as to expand an outer diameter of a pipe as much as a circumferential length of both ends that are widened rather than a normal circumferential diameter due to elasticity of the spring while the ring spring presses the pipe. This pipe expanding device employing the ring spring is simple and economical and allows even an unskilled person to use it easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Jin Mi Seo
  • Patent number: 7325436
    Abstract: An expanding tool includes a housing having a passage, an expanding device attached to the housing and having a number of expanding segments for engaging with and for expanding a pipe, an expanding mandrel is slidably engaged in the housing and includes a conically tapering end engageable into a conical bore of the expanding segments for moving the expanding segments to expand the pipe, an actuating lever includes an upper portion engageable into a groove of the expanding mandrel and pivotally attached to the housing with a shaft, the actuating lever includes two cam members for moving the expanding mandrel to expand the pipe, and for retracting the expanding mandrel from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Enzo Cheng
  • Publication number: 20080006074
    Abstract: A bead lining tool includes a bed member, fixed and movable die supports upstanding from the bed, the movable die support being slidable relative to the bed and releasably secured thereto by a set screw, and a threaded movable die carrier extending through the movable die support and rotatable to advance toward and retract from the fixed die support. A fixed die is positioned in the fixed die support, while a movable die is positioned in the movable die carrier. A series of depressions are formed in the bed for engagement by the set screw to coarsely position the movable die. The movable die carrier is rotated by a hand wheel to finely advance the movable die toward the fixed die to engage the dies with ends of a bead liner tube extending through a bead to flare and roll the ends of the liner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Gerard L. Gaydusek
  • Publication number: 20070277581
    Abstract: An expanding tool includes a housing having a passage, an expanding device attached to the housing and having a number of expanding segments for engaging with and for expanding a pipe, an expanding mandrel is slidably engaged in the housing and includes a conically tapering end engageable into a conical bore of the expanding segments for moving the expanding segments to expand the pipe, an actuating lever includes an upper portion engageable into a groove of the expanding mandrel and pivotally attached to the housing with a shaft, the actuating lever includes two cam members for moving the expanding mandrel to expand the pipe, and for retracting the expanding mandrel from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Enzo Cheng
  • Patent number: 7243731
    Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding tubular members including a segmented expansion cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology
    Inventors: Brock Wayne Watson, Lev Ring, David Paul Brisco
  • Patent number: 7225660
    Abstract: A method of expanding a diameter of a tube includes the steps of positioning the tube with one end abutting a stop member, extending a mandrel through an interior passageway of the tube, and expanding a diameter of an expandable head connected to the mandrel as the mandrel is moved in a direction toward the stop member. The diameter of the tube expands in correspondence with the expansion of the diameter of the mandrel. A longitudinal axial force is applied to the tube in a direction toward the stop member as the expandable head expands the diameter of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: KW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry C. Ledebur
  • Patent number: 7191627
    Abstract: A method for coiling thin metal strip on a coiler mandrel, which is adjusted in diameter, in which, at the beginning, the inner windings of the coil are coiled on the adjusted coiler mandrel diameter, and, after the final winding of the coil, the coiler mandrel is pulled out, or the coil is taken off. One or more profile grooves are pressed into one inner winding or into several adjacent inner windings on the circumference during rotation of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Klaus Bäumer, Klaus Ginsberg, Matthias Tuschhoff
  • Patent number: 7144243
    Abstract: A tubing expansion device (20) is adapted to be advanced axially, without rotation, through tubing (10) to be expanded. The device (20) comprises a body (22) and a plurality of expansion members (30,32,34) mounted on the body (22), the expansion members (30,32,34) being independently radially movable. The expansion members may be rotatable, or may be non-rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephenson, Grant Adams, David H. Grant, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7128146
    Abstract: A compliant swage has the ability to change shape to allow clearance of an obstruction while permitting expansion to go on in other areas removed from the obstruction. A series of segments move with respect to each other longitudinally to change overall size. The segments have an additional degree of freedom to change from a round profile of varying diameter to an oblong, elliptical, or an irregular shape so as to compensate in the portion that encounters an obstruction to let the swage pass while at the same time permitting the intended maximum expansion in other portions where conditions permit such expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John L. Baugh, Leopoldo S. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7128560
    Abstract: An expansion tool device for pliers used for producing sockets at the ends of pipes made of plastic material or the like used in plumbing systems, includes a cylindrical end piece formed by the closure of several sector-shaped jaws radially mobile under the action of a conical needle operated with pliers and adapted to be axially inserted in a conical recess. It also includes an insert axially mobile between the jaws, and designed to receive the conical needle when the tool is fixed to the pliers, the insert having one end for receiving the conical needle, while its other end has a conical shape adapted to the conical recess of the jaws, the conical parts having substantially identical coning angles, but of different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Virax S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Tandart
  • Patent number: 7117957
    Abstract: A method includes drilling and lining a wellbore, in one aspect by mounting a drill bit on a drill string including a section of expandable tubing and providing a tubing expander in the string, rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string through a bore, and passing the expander through the expandable tubing to expand the tubing. The apparatus comprises a drill string including a section of expandable tubing, a drill bit mounted on the string, and a tubing expander mounted on the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Metcalfe, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7114559
    Abstract: A method of repairing tubulars downhole is described. A swage is secured to a force magnification tool, which is, in turn, supported by an anchor tool. Applied pressure sets the anchor when the swage is properly positioned. The force magnification tool strokes the swage through the collapsed section. The anchor can be released and weight set down on the swage to permit multiple stroking to get through the collapsed area. The swage diameter can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James A. Sonnier, John L. Baugh, Gerald D. Lynde
  • Patent number: 7024909
    Abstract: An improved machine for performing a swaging operation includes a mandrel and an expandable collet that are mounted to an actuator such as a conventional pneumatic gun. The mandrel includes a plurality of ramped planar engagement surfaces that are slidably engageable with a plurality of planar reaction surfaces on deflectable segments of the collet. The planar nature of the engagement surfaces and the reaction surfaces avoids unwanted deflection of the segments that would otherwise turn the segments into cutting tools, such as would occur if the surfaces were of certain other shapes. The mandrel is rotatably mounted to the pneumatic gun whereby the engagement surfaces are self-aligning with the reaction surfaces during an initial stage of a swaging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru, Robert Bryant
  • Patent number: 7021113
    Abstract: An improved device for stripping a wheel rim from a wheel rim expanding tooling apparatus (100) includes an inboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly (102) including a plurality of segmented inboard wheel rim press members, an outboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly (104) including a plurality of segmented outboard wheel rim press members, and at least one stripper pin device (120) installed in at least one of the segmented inboard wheel rim press members or the segmented outboard wheel rim press members. The at least one stripper pin device is installed in the at least one of the segmented inboard wheel rim press members or the segmented outboard wheel rim press members from the outer surface side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Peterson, Harold L. Dump
  • Patent number: 6935152
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming grooves in a pipe for receiving mechanical pipe clamps are disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for securing the pipe and a carriage rotatably mounted on the holding fixture. Two arms are pivotably mounted on the carriage and extend on opposite sides of the pipe. Each arm has a grooving roller rotatably mounted thereon. An actuator connects the arms and forces the grooving rollers into engagement with the pipe. The carriage, arms, actuator and grooving rollers are rotated about the pipe in an orbit to form the circumferential groove. The method steps include forcing the grooving roller into the surface of the pipe at a fixed rate per revolution of the grooving rollers about the pipe in the orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Douglas R. Dole, Ronald R. Snyder, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6935024
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a rim for a motor vehicle from an original pipe, in order to facilitate formation of projections for reducing road noise on the rim, comprises a projection forming step of partially extruding a ledge portion of an intermediate pipe for the rim from inside to outside in a radial direction of the ledge portion so as to form a plurality of projections at suitable intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichi Shimizu