Abstract: A noncircular opening is formed in a material. A mandrel or mandrel and expansion sleeve are used for coldworking a circular region of the noncircular opening, and for forcing a hard metal insert into coldworking contact with the material immediately bordering the remaining portion of the noncircular opening. An insert may be placed within a slot to form with a circular closed end of the slot a substantially circular opening. An expansion sleeve is placed in the opening and an expansion mandrel is pulled through it, or an expansion mandrel is used alone in the opening, to coldwork the circular region of the opening. An insert may be placed within an opening and then a mandrel moved through an expansion sleeve placed in a circular opening in the insert, or a mandrel alone may be moved through the opening, to radially expand the insert and coldwork the material bounding the noncircular opening.

Abstract: A method of joining a tube to a flange or wall member includes the steps of moving a plurality of circumferentially spaced workpiece contact surfaces into controlled pressure contact with the inner surface of a tube and maintaining a force against the inner tube surface sufficient to form an outer surface of the tube to a predetermined shape with respect to an opening surrounding the tube. The apparatus for expanding the tube has a plurality of radially movable segments, each of which have a pair of circumferentially offset and longitudinally spaced workpiece contact surfaces disposed thereon. The method and apparatus advantageously expands a tube by an amount sufficient to form a secure mechanical joint with a flange or wall member irrespective of nominal variations in the tube diameter and wall thickness. Furthermore, the method and apparatus form a uniformly smooth finish on the internal surface of the tube thereby eliminating the need for post-forming treatments to remove undesirable surface particles.

Abstract: Circular cylindrical bodies (2) are formed from rectangular sheet-metal blanks by rounding and longitudinal seam welding. These are widened oval-conically over their whole length in a first expanding operation and then relaxed again. Then the bodies (2) are widened in a second expanding operation so that they acquire their polygon-like, particularly rectangle-like, cross-sectional shape over their whole length. As a result, the bodies are stressed at their marginal regions at the ends in such a manner that these marginal regions do not become undulatory and can therefore be satisfactorily joined with a can cover or bottom.

Abstract: A furnace heat exchanger and support plate assembly are joined together by a cooperating substantially elliptical rim defining an opening in the heat exchanger and an opening formed by a mating flange on a partition plate and extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The flange and the partition plate is inserted in the opening in the heat exchanger unit and expanded radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the openings by a multiple jaw expander mechanism which is inserted through the opening in the plate into the interior of the heat exchanger. The expander includes radially and axially moveable jaws comprising plural jaw segments which are engaged by an axially moveable mandrel. The number of jaws in the expander is sufficient to form a substantially leakproof seal between the exchanger unit and the support plate assembly in a single expander operation through a single bending sequence.

Abstract: The present invention briefly relates to a tool for the synchronous operation of fastening a seal ring to a connector pipe, crimping of the flange-like portion resulting from the clamping, and forming of the end portion of the connector pipe. The tool comprises a calibration ring (11) into which the pipe end portion is inserted for calibration, a pull rod (1) extending centrally through the calibration ring (11) and a set of form chucks (5) around the pull rod (1). The form chucks (5) are prestressed against and in cooperation with a cone (2) provided at the pull rod end, so that when the pull rod (1) is displaced in such a way that the cone (2) moves toward the calibration ring (11), the form chucks (5) at first are being pressed radially outward by the cone (2) to engage the inner side of the connector pipe and then are pulling the connector pipe by means of the pull rod (1).

Abstract: In a flaring tool for hollow, especially hollow-cylindrical, workpieces, a flaring punch is mounted for axial displacement in a tool body and can, by means of a cam on a hand level, be driven out of the tool body against a set of flaring dies fastened to the tool body. To solve the problem of being able to withdraw the flaring dies from the workpiece quickly enough to prevent the workpiece from quickly shrinking on the flaring dies, the flaring punch is coupled to the hand lever by an extractor whose point of engagement with the hand lever is excentric from the fulcrum axis. The extractor consists advantageously of at least one flat link which is journaled at one end on the hand lever and at the other end on the flaring punch.

Abstract: In the setting of blind rivets, the rivets are placed onto a riveting mandrel having a thickened end, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the rivet hollow space, in such a way that the rivet head rests on the side remote from the thickened end. Then the rivet, together with the riveting mandrel, is inserted into the bores of the structural parts. The rivet head is then supported by a holding-down part. Finally the riveting mandrel, for opening-out the rivet end projecting through the bores, is displaced against the pressure direction of the holding-down part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coining a valve sleeve member for a power steering valve. Arm portions of the coining apparatus are spread radially outward into associated oil grooves in the valve sleeve. A hardened coining land deforms corner breaks defined between the oil groove and the inner land region of the valve sleeve. The arm portions are moved radially inward again and the coining apparatus removed from the valve sleeve. Preferably, the coining apparatus includes a tapered recess extending along a substantial axial dimension of the apparatus. The arm portions are separated at one end of the coining apparatus and integrally joined together at the other end. Opposed groove pairs separate the coining lands from one another and facilitate receipt of the coining lands in the associated oil grooves.

Abstract: A machine coldworking tool (10) for coldworking holes (13) in a metal structure (15) and adapted for mounting on a automated drilling and rivet installation machine (12). The tool (10) comprises a mandrel assembly (20) mounted within a housing (18) that is releasably engage with the machine (12) via a lock fitting (152) is operably engaged with the mandrel assembly (20) to insert a collapsible mandrel (40) through the hole (13). A rod (92) is attached to a rod pusher (98) that is urged by the lock fitting (152) to slide through the mandrel (40) to support the mandrel fingers (62). A lever (100) pivotally mounted to the mandrel holder (42) holds the rod pusher (98) and the rod (92) in place as the mandrel assembly (20) is pulled upward in the housing (18), thereby pulling the mandrel (40) back through the hole (13) and coldworking the metal structure (15) surrounding the hole (13).

Abstract: A shaping device for corrugating a tube includes at least one mandrel which is radially expansible and has a body associated with at least one relatively resilient arm which carries on its surface an impression whose profile corresponds to the profile of the corrugation to be obtained, and an axially movable locking member for causing the mandrel to move from a retracted position to an outer position in which the locking member immobilizes the mandrel, and hammers. The hammers, the tube and the mandrel-locking member are adapted to be subjected to relative rotations about their common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reforming the initial shape of an approximately loop-shaped starting piece into a final prescribed loop-shape. A plurality of elongated elements such as wire rods are arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals to define a prescribed looped or cylindrical space having a first diameter. A plurality of pressing means such as pressing plates actuated by cylinders and pistons press free ends of the elongated elements to reduce the diameter of the looped space prescribed by the elongated elements to define a reduced looped space having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The free ends of the elongated elements are then inserted within the starting piece. The pressing means are retracted, whereby the free ends of the elongated elements contact the inner surface of the starting piece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating removal of spent tubes from boilers or heat exchangers in environments where access to one side of the wall through which the tube extends is limited. The apparatus includes a jaw assembly that is movable between a retracted position, at which it can be introduced within a tube to be removed, and an expanded position, at which it radially expands the tube so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the tube. The jaw assembly can be manipulated between the retracted and expanded positions solely through the tube interior so that a worker stationed at a proximal end of the tube to be removed can move the jaw assembly to the expanded position at which the distal end of the tube is fixed against longitudinal movement. After application of pulling forces to fracture the tube, the jaw assembly can be disengaged solely by access through the tube from the proximal end, whereby efficiency of tube removal in environments of limited access is materially enchanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a muffler mechanical lock joint, and the resulting assembly. An end panel is loaded in a die structure. Die segments on chuck jaws hold an end panel flange. A tube is loaded over a wedge, punch segments, a punch segment holder, barrel and wedge drive rod. The panel, chuck and die structure are driven over the tube. Each punch segment includes a protrusion punch and a bead punch segment. The wedge is axially pulled. Guiding and guided members on the punch segments and segment holder allow only radial movement of the segments. Axial pulling of the wedge thereby causes radial expansion of the punch segments. The radially expanded punch segments form a plurality of protrusions in the tube and panel flange, and an adjacent bead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reforming the initial shape of an approximately loop-shaped starting piece into a final prescribed loop-shape. A plurality of elongated materials such as wire rods are arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals to define a prescribed looped or cylindrical space having a first diameter. A plurality of pressing means such as pressing plates actuated by cylinders and pistons press free ends of the elongated materials to reduce the diameter of the looped space prescribed by the elongated materials to define a reduced looped space having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The free ends of the elongated materials are then inserted within the starting piece. The pressing means are retracted, whereby the free ends of the elongated materials contact the inner surface of the starting piece.

Abstract: An elongated tool device adapted for use in installing a tubular sleeve within a tube and forming a pressure-tight seal therebetween. The tool device includes a housing having a reduced-diameter forward extension portion attached to a front cylinder, and containing a rear piston. The front cylinder is attached to a collet having multiple radially expandable fingers and contains a front piston attached to a tapered mandrel which is axially movable within the fingers, and has a forward tapered nose portion to facilitate inserting the tool into a tube. The rear piston is attached to the front piston by an elongated rod. By pressurizing the tool front piston by a hydraulic fluid pressurizing unit, the mandrel is forced forward through the collet fingers to expand the fingers and sleeve tightly into the tube to form the seal joint.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow cylindrical magnetic yoke assembly for a magnet-type electric motor, including a plurality of permanent magnets attached to the inner peripheral surface of the yoke. The method comprises the steps of expanding a hollow cylindrical tube of a magnetic material by an expander having a plurality of expander elements capable of being moved radially outwards to expand the radius of the tube. The number of the expander elements is equal to the number of the permanent magnets of the electric motor, and one permanent magnet is fitted to each concaved surface of the magnetic yoke formed by the convexed cylindrical outer surface of each expander element.

Abstract: An insert for providing a reduced inside diameter for a structural tube, specifically an instrumentation guide tube, of a nuclear fuel assembly. The insert has forming lobes which coact with the structural tube to plastically deform the structural tube and mechanically lock it with respect to grid straps of a grid assembly. The insert also has centering lobes to prevent it from being expanded in other than a coaxial alignment with the structural tube. An expansion tool is provided for sequentially registering with and expanding sequential forming lobes in a simplified manner whereby all of the operations necessary to assemble the structural tube in the fuel assembly can be easily and accurately performed.

Abstract: A swaging mandrel is inserted in a tube confined by a tube sheet or other surrounding structure. A pair of seals define the axial limits of a hydraulic pressure zone within the tube sheet in which radial expansion of the tube takes place in response to fluid pressure. At one side of the tube sheet, an elastomeric ring can extend beyond the tube sheet and, in response to the fluid pressure, produce an attenuated radial expansion force that bulges the tube. At the primary side of the tube sheet, an elastomeric ring, in response to the fluid pressure, causes arcuate segments of a cylinder positioned beyond the tube sheet to expand radially and flare the tube at the opposite side of the tube sheet.

Abstract: A C-shaped brace member threadedly receives a screw shaft and supports a channel-shaped die. The lower end of the screw shaft is connected by a ball and socket joint to a pair of hinged pressure plates positioned in parallel relation with the opposite walls of the channel-shaped die. Rotation of the screw shaft in a preselected direction raises and lowers the shaft to extend and retract the pressure plates toward and away from the walls of the base member. An end portion of a gutter section to be expanded is positioned on the base member between the longitudinal edges of the pressure plates and the walls of the base member. Downward movement of the screw shaft moves the pressure plates outwardly toward the walls of the gutter section. The pressure plates contact the walls of the gutter section and bend the walls outwardly to expand the width of the gutter section until further expansion is restrained by the walls of the base member.

Abstract: A tool for reshaping or expanding metal tubular material includes an expandable mandrel having a plurality of duplicate spreader segments held in a cluster by an elastic O-ring about a wedge-shaped cam member, each of the segments including an external, curved wall having a curvature corresponding to a curvature of an external curved wall in every other segment such that when all segments are equally spaced a predetermined amount, they form a cylinder having gaps between adjacent spreader segments for contact against an internal surface of said tubular material for reshaping or expanding said tubular material. The wedge-shaped cam member includes a plurality of external faces corresponding to a number of internal spreader segment faces sloped to converge toward a front, mandrel-insertion end of the cam member and shaped complementary to the shape of the internal spreader segment faces for sliding engagement of the segments over an adjacent external face of the cam member.

Abstract: Corrugations are removed from the end of a helically corrugated pipe by compressing the end of the pipe between a plurality of radially movable die segments. By choosing appropriately-shaped die segments and die-actuating cams, the end of the pipe can be expanded, or shrunk to a diameter less than that of an imaginary cylinder defined by a surface of revolution contacting the innermost surfaces of the pipe. Products manufactured in accordance with the method of the invention have an end portion with an accurately controlled diameter; a minimum of pipe length is taken up by the modification.

Abstract: For the production of coaxial corrugations in the walls of thin-walled tubes with very tight tolerances, the invention provides a device having jaws adapted to be moved equally in opposite directions and which press against the ends of the tube so as to have a corrugation formed therein so as to feed the tube wall axially towards the corrugation in the process of being generated. The jaws are moved by means of a central lead screw with screw threads of opposite hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing bent mixing vanes in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly is provided, including a unique tool and a related tool handling device. The tool is an elongated tube with a housing containing two sets of opposing, high-strength blades movable between closed and opened positions. The tool is inserted into a fuel cell detected as having a grid with a bent mixing vane to a location below the damaged grid with the blades in the closed position. The blades are then remotely opened and the tool is withdrawn. As the tool is withdrawn, one blade abuts the bent mixing vane and bends it back close to its original position. The blades are then closed and the tool is fully extracted from the fuel cell. Once the tool is fully extracted, the fuel rod can again be reliably inserted into the repaired fuel cell.

Abstract: A tube expanding tool is disclosed which is of the character comprising a body having a fixed handle and a pivotal handle by which tapered drift pin is displaced relative to radially expandable jaws mounted on the body. A rigid link member is pivotally connected between the drift pin and pivotal handle to displace the drift pin to expand the jaws and to provide positive withdrawal of the pin from the jaws following a tube expanding operation.

Abstract: A pipe expander head and pipe expander is disclosed which comprises a housing 30, in which a pin 50 is mounted. The pin 50 has a tapered end 54 and is provided with a plurality of teeth 60. The teeth 60 mesh with a gear assembly 62, 66 and 68 which in turn are coupled to a handle 72. Upon rotation of the handle 72 the gear assembly 62, 66 and 68 is rotated to drive the pin to expand an expander head. The expander head includes a plurality of segments 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 which are coupled together with a circular spring 96. The expander head segments each include annular stepped expanding portions 72, 74, 76 and 78 and the stepped portions are provided with recesses 80 for accommodating a work piece to be expanded.

Abstract: An elongated tube expander tool and method for its use for remotely expanding a tube end to provide a close fit in an existing tube, such as before welding the tube end to the existing tube. The expander tool comprises an elongated central shaft attached to a cylinder which is attached to a collet having multiple expandable fingers. The cylinder contains a slidable front piston connected to a mandrel located within the collet, so that when the piston is pressurized and moved forward the multiple fingers are expanded radially outwardly within the tube end. In use, the tool is inserted into a replacement tube until a front shoulder of the tool housing contacts the replacement tube end portion to be expanded. The front piston is then pressurized and the mandrel forced axially forward through the collet so as to expand the collet fingers, which action expands the tube end firmly against the existing tube suitable for a weld to be reliably made between the closely fitting tubes.

Abstract: A flaring device for pipe ends including an insert member centrally insertable into a pipe end, the insert member having mounted thereon synchronously operable pressure plungers arranged at the outer circumference thereof and bringable into engagement with the inner circumference of the pipe end to be flared, includes a calibrating ring for determining a maximum outer circumference defined by the pressure plungers mounted on the insert member, the calibrating ring being in operative engagement with the insert member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coldworking of holes using a split mandrel. The apparatus uses a mandrel having radially directed slots to permit contraction of its outer diameter as it is fitted within a hole. The mandrel contains a pilot inside the mandrel. After placing the mandrel and pilot within a hole to be coldworked, the pilot is pushed into the mandrel expanding the mandrel. The pilot and mandrel are then withdrawn through the hole, thereby coldworking the hole.

Abstract: A furnace heat exchanger and support plate assembly are joined together by a cooperating oval rim defining an opening in the heat exchanger and an opening formed by a mating flange on a partition plate and extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The flange on the partition plate is inserted in the opening in the heat exchanger unit and expanded radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the openings by a multiple jaw expander mechanism which is inserted through the opening in the plate into the interior of the heat exchanger. A second expander apparatus is inserted in the opening after withdrawal of the first expander to engage and expand portions of the flanges which were not fully displaced by the first expander. The expander mechanisms include radially and axially movable jaws comprising plural oval shaped jaw segments which are engaged by an axially movable mandrel.

Abstract: An insert for providing a reduced inside diameter for a structural tube, specifically an instrumentation guide tube, of a nuclear fuel assembly. The insert has forming lobes which coact with the structural tube to plastically deform the structural tube and mechanically lock it with respect to grid straps of a grid assembly. The insert also has centering lobes to prevent it from being expanded in other than a coaxial alignment with the structural tube. An expansion tool is provided for sequentially registering with and expanding sequential forming lobes in a simplified manner whereby all of the operations necessary to assemble the structural tube in the fuel assembly can be easily and accurately performed.

Abstract: Apparatus and process of manufacture for forming a generally cylindrical shell having an interior surface, an opened end with a first internal diameter, a generally closed opposite end, a first internal portion intermediate the ends with a second internal diameter larger than the first internal diameter, and a second internal portion intermediate the first internal portion and the closed end with a third internal diameter larger than the second internal diameter, wherein such apparatus and process of manufacture include a mandrel having an outer surface for forming the interior surface of the shell and having an expandable and contractable intermediate portion, the mandrel intermediate portion expandable outwardly to form its second internal portion and upon the shell being formed the mandrel intermediate portion contractable inwardly sufficiently to permit the mandrel to be moved relatively away from the formed shell through the open end to permit the formed shell and the mandrel to be separated.

Abstract: A conduit centralizer comprises segmented, sliding upper and lower collars connected by a plurality of axially extending, outwardly bowed leaf springs. Each collar is formed by the hinged connection on a plurality of segments in close fitting contact with the outer diameter of a pipe. The ends of the leaf springs are respectively inserted within the individual segments and welded to the segments. Individual collar segment sections or subassemblies comprising upper and lower collar segments secured to a single intermediate bowed leaf spring can then be interconnected to form a concentric centralizer.

Abstract: A device for removing irregularities in or enlarging a buried duct comprises a cylindrical housing (10) corresponding approximately in diameter to the required diameter of the duct, a plurality of tapered leaf members (14) pivotally attached at their rear ends to the front of the housing, and a conical wedge (18) driven by an axial hydraulic ram (12) mounted inside the housing (10). In operation, the apparatus is drawn through the duct with the leaf members (14) in a retracted position in which they form a tapered nose portion, until an irregularity in the duct causes resistance to forward movement. The ram (12) is operated to force the leaf members outwardly against the wall of the duct to remove the irregularity. The leaf members (14) are then retracted as the apparatus is drawn forward to the next obstruction. The apparatus is particularly intended for preparing damaged sewers prior to fitting an inner, lining pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coldworking of holes using a split mandrel. The apparatus uses a mandrel having radially directed slots to permit contraction of its outer diameter as it is fitted within a hole. The mandrel contains a pilot having a larger diameter extending from the mandrel. After placing the mandrel and pilot within a hole to be coldworked, the pilot is pulled into the mandrel solidifying the mandrel. The pilot and mandrel are then withdrawn through the hole, thereby coldworking the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preparing the ends of large diameter metal pipe, such as that employed in cross-country pipelines, for welding of two pipe sections in end-to-end relationship with each other. Apparatus is provided for performing the method under which the pipe end to be prepared is first radially expanded uniformly around the entire circumference beyond its elastic limit to a predetermined diameter. While the expanding device holds the pipe end in this expanded position, a lathe aligned and associated with the expanding device is actuated to a machine beveled surface on the pipe end.

Abstract: To service an engine, it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner and piston must be replaced. Removal is difficult and time consuming if the piston is first removed through the liner and the liner is then grasped from below and pulled from the block. A method includes inserting a tool into a bore of the liner and expanding the tool into a frictional fit against the liner. A force is applied on the tool to forcibly move the liner. The piston and associated rings and rod are held in place in the liner by a partial vacuum for removal with the liner as a complete unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coldworking of holes using a split mandrel. The apparatus uses a mandrel having a larger diameter end and radially directed slots to permit contraction of its outer diameter as it is fitted within a hole. The mandrel partially contains a pilot in its "at rest" state. After placing the mandrel and pilot within a hole to be coldworked, the pilot is pushed fully into the mandrel solidifying the mandrel. The pilot and mandrel are then withdrawn through the hole, thereby coldworking the hole. An air logic circuit accomplishes the pushing of the pilot within the mandrel and retraction of the pilot and mandrel.

Abstract: The method of fastening a plurality of metal members (82, 84; 232, 230) in which precision holes (86, 88; 236, 234) are drilled through the metals which are to be connected together. The drilled holes in the metal members are cold-expanded to improve the fatigue performance of the metal surrounding the hole and at the same time size the hole. Then a fastener (254) sized to make a desired fit is installed into the hole. The final hole diameters (236A, 234A) after expansion are equal to the starting hole diameters plus the retained expansions, there being spring back shrinkage of the expanded holes to the final hole diameter. The holes are sized by expanding them to at least a critical sizing expansion value which is a value of expansion beyond which the retained expansion value is linearly exceeded and to nearly the same amount as the total expansion before elongation of the hole axis of the metal surrounding the hole.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to shape the edges of flow control grooves in a valve sleeve. The apparatus includes a plurality of groove edge shaping tools which are pivotally supported in a circular array. A valve sleeve is telescoped over working end portions of the tools. A locator member engages an opening in the valve sleeve to hold the valve sleeve in radial alignment with the tools. A punch then forces a driver axially downwardly against the working end portions of the tools to pivot them radially outwardly against the edges of the grooves in the valve sleeve to shape the edges of the grooves. As the punch is subsequently withdrawn, a return spring moves a retainer upwardly against the tail end portions of the tools to pivot the tools inwardly out of engagement with the valve sleeve and to retain the tools in position out of engagement with the valve sleeve.

Abstract: Setting tool for setting fasteners by driving a pin into an opening of each fastener, comprising a split collet having a central opening through which the pin is driven, the abutting faces of the collet segments being functionally convex and the leading ends of their exterior surfaces defining outwardly opposed jaws. An O-ring encircling the collet urges the following ends of the collet segments together, thereby urging the jaws apart. A fastener can be inserted over the jaws to locate it for being set by the pin. In the illustrated structure at least a portion of the central opening of the collet is smaller than the shaft of the setting pin, so when the pin is thrust through the collet it spreads the segments apart, thereby more tightly engaging the interior wall of the fastener.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for expanding circular cylindrical metal tubing, pipe or tubular members wherein an expanding construction embodies expandable fingers or members and cone-shaped means cooperating with the fingers or members for expanding tubing, pipe or tubular members. The method and apparatus involves the use of power means for expanding the fingers by relative movement of cones engaging the fingers, the method and apparatus including selectable indexing means for determining the amount of expansion of tubing, pipe or tubular members.

Abstract: The expansion of the primary tubes or sleeves of the steam generator of a nuclear reactor plant are measured while the tubes or sleeves are being expanded. A primary tube or sleeve is expanded by high pressure of water which flows through a channel in an expander body. The water is supplied through an elongated conductor and is introduced through a connector on the shank connected to the conductor at its outer end. A wire extends through the mandrel and through the conductor to the end of the connector. At its inner end the wire is connected to a tapered pin which is subject to counteracting forces produced by the pressure of the water. The force on the side where the wire is connected to the conductor is smaller than on the opposite side. The tapered pin is moved in the direction of the higher force and extrudes the wire outwardly of the conductor.

Abstract: A tube deforming tool (10) for forming a plurality of dimples (32) in the end of a tube (34) of a predetermined size. The tool has a tapered mandrel (12) extending through a housing (14) containing a plurality of radially movable balls (16). A plurality of longitudinal grooves (20) in the mandrel is the surface that the balls coact with. At the end of each groove is an enlarged recess (40) into which the balls are released at the end of the dimpling or deforming procedure, to permit easy removal of the tool from the deformed tube.

Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine engine, which has become distorted during use or repair, is restored to its original dimensions by selective heating at two circular locations, accompanied by outward radial replacement. An induction coil is used to heat the liner. When the support ring parts are also replaced, the high temperature mechanical reforming procedure is such that the subsequent distortion which accompanies the welding replacement of support rings is compensated for.

Abstract: An improved tubing expansion apparatus is disclosed which greatly facilitates convenient expansion of tubing, such as for repair and replacement of motor vehicle exhaust systems. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable expander unit and a separate pressurized fluid supply unit joined in fluid communication with the expander unit by a flexible fluid conduit. In order to provide selective control of the fluid supply unit from the expander unit, a trigger-like electrical switch is provided on the expander unit to permit remote operation of the fluid supply unit. Other features of the apparatus enhance its versatility for conveniently effecting varying degrees of expansion on tubing of different dimensions.

Abstract: A device for removing irregularities in or enlarging a buried duct comprises a cylindrical housing (10) corresponding approximately in diameter to the required diameter of the duct, a plurality of tapered leaf members (14) pivotally attached at their rear ends to the front of the housing, and a conical wedge (18) driven by an axial hydraulic ram (12) mounted inside the housing (10). In operation, the apparatus is drawn through the duct with the leaf members (14) in a retracted position in which they form a tapered nose portion, until an irregularity in the duct causes resistance to forward movement. The ram (12) is operated to force the leaf members outwardly against the wall of the duct to remove the irregularity. The leaf members (14) are then retracted as the apparatus is drawn forward to the next obstruction. The apparatus is particularly intended for preparing damaged sewers prior to fitting an inner, lining pipe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for restraightening depending bent metal end skirts of cylindrical containers, such as beer kegs, wherein the containers moving in a path of travel for processing are automatically interrogated by sensing heads which engage the rims of the normally circular end skirts of the containers to detect the presence or absence of a bent portion thereof. Containers having detected bent skirt portions are directed from the main processing path to a skirt straightening station where the ends of the container are supported in retaining rings of upper and lower straightening heads while arcuately spaced pry levers, or paws, located centrally in each retaining ring move radially outward from a central nested position to engage inwardly bent skirt portions of the container to lift and push the same outwardly into a circular configuration. The container is rotated in the rings between engagements by the paws to bring all portions of the skirts into position for straightening.

Abstract: A pipe straightening tool that includes an operating unit that can be inserted forwardly in a pipe as far as needed by use of detachable handle extensions. The unit includes an elongated lower segment and a parallel upper segment thereabove having a nose segment pivoted at its forward end for movement of the forward tapered end of the nose segment toward and away from the tapered forward end of the lower segment. The upper unit is movable toward and away from the lower segment on operation of a pair of connecting toggle linkages having a common actuator. A hydraulic cylinder unit is disposed between and connected to the actuator and another toggle linkage connecting the lower and nose segments so that extension of hydraulic cylinder unit concurrently urges upward movement of both the upper segment and the nose segment. All the segments present outwardly facing surfaces that are conformable to cylindrical surfaces. Boots can be attached to the segments to increase the effectiveness of the tool for larger pipe.

Abstract: A pull gun (10) is used for pulling a mandrel (12, 150, 180) through an expandable sleeve (74, 144, 180) positioned in a fastener hole. The mandrel expands the sleeve as it moves therethrough causing the sleeve to put the metal which surrounds the hole in a state of compression. The pull gun has alternative extensions or sleeve retainers having general appearances of collet chucks and they are adapted to be positioned adjacent holes being prestressed. The retainers are of relatively small diameter for operation through a drill fixture and in small spaces on a workpiece.

Abstract: A tube expanding tool of a type having a body (1) with a pair of handles (3,26) arranged to move a tapered drift (15) into radially expandable jaws, characterized by a push rod (17) hingedly connected to the drift (15) and engaging a cam face (25) on the handle (26) pivoted on the body (1) to have the point of contact between the face (27) on the push rod (17) and the cam face (25) of the lever (26) positioned on, or adjacent to, the axis of movement of the drift (15).