Flexible Or Articulated Back-up Patents (Class 72/466)
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Patent number: 11440071Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed for bending hollow structural components (100), in particular pipes, having a mandrel shaft (40) for receiving a receiving element (20), wherein a row of at least two ball joints (30, 30?) connected with each other can be inserted into the receiving element (20) at its end, wherein the row of ball joints (30, 30?) is preferably lockable by a ball-and-socket joint (70) at an end located opposite the receiving element (20), wherein each ball joint (30, 30?) of the row is circumferentially enclosed by a shingle (50, 50?) and the ball-and-socket joint (70) is circumferentially enclosed by an end shingle (60) and the shingles (50, 60) overlap each other at least in portions.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Ludwig Weber GmbHInventor: Jörg Bahlo
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Patent number: 11278947Abstract: A mandrel 10 for producing a thin-walled bent tube having a bending portion with high strength and a small radius of curvature by rotary draw bending without either cracks in an outside of bend or winkles and buckling in an inside of bend occurring includes a shank 14, a connection mechanism 15 and a mandrel ball 16. In a cross-section orthogonal to an axial direction of the mandrel ball 16 at a central position in the axial direction of the mandrel ball 16, the mandrel ball 16 has a first position 19 and a second position 20 at which a first straight line m that passes through a mandrel ball center 17 meets an outer periphery 21 of the mandrel ball. Further, a ratio (L1/L2) between a dimension L1 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the first position 19 and a dimension L2 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the second position 20 is in a range of 0.915 to 0.976.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Nippon Steel CorporationInventors: Shohei Tamura, Hidehiro Arita
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Patent number: 10875071Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a defect in a surface may include a hollow shaft including a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, a plunger slidable within the hollow shaft and extending from the first open end, a driver coupled to the second open end of the hollow shaft and extending from the second open end, and a passive resistance mechanism coupling the plunger to the hollow shaft. The passive resistance mechanism biases the plunger towards the second open end of the hollow shaft. The plunger has markings thereon that are visible when the plunger is extended from the first open end. Methods for using the apparatus to modify a defect in a surface are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Jared R. Hitch
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Patent number: 10744724Abstract: Composite tooling systems and methods of manufacturing composite stringers of aircraft are provided herein. A composite tooling system includes a layup tool and an articulating stringer mandrel. The layup tool has a contoured surface with portions having different surface complexities. The articulating stringer mandrel includes two rigid mandrel elements and a cable. The first rigid mandrel element defines a first aperture, a first stringer surface, and a first bottom surface. The second rigid mandrel element is adjacent to the first rigid mandrel element and defines a second aperture, a second stringer surface, and a second bottom surface. A first length of the first rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity and a second length of the second rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity at the second rigid mandrel element so that a gap between the rigid mandrel elements does not exceed a predetermined gap threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationInventor: James R. Grieco
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Patent number: 10201842Abstract: A method and an apparatus bend a pipe to mitigate internal wrinkling, with particular benefit when bending a lined pipe upon spooling. Bending is performed continuously by advancing the pipe through a bending zone while an internal mandrel is held at the bending zone to resist wrinkling. In one variant, the mandrel includes longitudinally-spaced pipe-engaging elements and a tensile link between the elements allows relative movement between the elements. A hold-back connection on one of the elements applies hold-back force to that element to be transmitted to the other element via the tensile link. In another variant, the mandrel includes an elongate pipe-engaging body with a hold-back connection at one end of the body. The body is flexible to bend with the pipe and is shaped to engage an inner surface of the pipe along most of the length of the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Acergy France SASInventor: Stephane Bombino
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Patent number: 9944062Abstract: Composite tooling systems and methods of manufacturing composite stringers of aircraft are provided herein. A composite tooling system includes a layup tool and an articulating stringer mandrel. The layup tool has a contoured surface with portions having different surface complexities. The articulating stringer mandrel includes two rigid mandrel elements and a cable. The first rigid mandrel element defines a first aperture, a first stringer surface, and a first bottom surface. The second rigid mandrel element is adjacent to the first rigid mandrel element and defines a second aperture, a second stringer surface, and a second bottom surface. A first length of the first rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity and a second length of the second rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity at the second rigid mandrel element so that a gap between the rigid mandrel elements does not exceed a predetermined gap threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationInventor: James R. Grieco
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Patent number: 9943897Abstract: A pipe bending system for pressure bending a pipe is disclosed. The pipe bending system includes a pipe having a first end and a second end; a housing including a bending configuration and configured to house the pipe; a flexible material placed within an interior space of the pipe; and a pressing device configured to press the flexible material housed inside the interior space of the pipe. The pressing device includes a first arm, a second arm, and a controller. The flexible material includes a plurality of pieces each having a different elasticity type.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventor: Hamid Reza Abbasi
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Patent number: 9399247Abstract: A pipe manipulator is configured to move a pipe in an apparatus for bending a pipe. The apparatus includes a feeding device, a heating device configured to annularly surround the pipe. at least one bending arm disposed axially downstream from the heating device in a pipe feed direction, and a bending lock disposed on the at least one bending arm and configured to grasp a pipe section to be bent and to move around a bending axis of rotation during a feeding of the pipe. The pipe manipulator includes a receiving sleeve axially displaceable in the pipe feed direction and disposed displaceably in the feeding device at an end of the pipe. The receiving sleeve is configured to reach into the pipe and to firmly clamp the pipe from an inside of the pipe and to guide the pipe in a defined manner axially through the heating device.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: AWS SCHAEFER TECHNOLOGIE GMBHInventor: August-Wilhelm Schaefer
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Patent number: 9186715Abstract: A mandrel for bending a rectangular duct body is provided. A round part and a shaft pin hole are formed at the front end of the mandrel, connection pieces and rollers are formed at the front end of the mandrel, protruded parts for supporting the bent part of the rectangular duct body and depressed parts in which depression parts will be formed are formed on both sides of the rollers, and oil grooves are formed in the sides of the rollers. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that workability and productivity can be improved because frictional force between the rollers and between the inside of the rectangular duct body and the rollers is reduced when performing a bending work because grease within the oil grooves formed in the rollers performs a lubrication action.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignees: BEIJING JINGUMCHANG AUTOMOBILE HITECH CO., LTD., GUMCHANG. CO., LTD., G.A TECH. CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheol Heo, Se Gil Shin
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Patent number: 9174301Abstract: A method for forming a joint between a tube and a sheet includes forming an anvil at least within the tube, and welding the tube to the sheet in the presence of the anvil. The anvil includes an anchor which is placed within the tube near or at the joint to be formed. At least one washer is placed over the end of the anchor that is near the joint to be formed. A threaded fastener is then placed into the anchor to securely hold the anchor within the tube and to provide a backing substantial enough so that a friction stir weld can be formed. The threaded fastener and the washer can be used as a guide for the friction stir weld. Once the weld is completed, the anvil can be removed. The weld can be further processed to remove burrs and other material.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael R. Eller, Zhixian Li
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Patent number: 8833129Abstract: According to an implementation a method for manufacturing a pedal for a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprising inserting into a hollow profile a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member and subsequently applying one or more forces to an external surface of the hollow profile to induce a change in shape of the hollow profile from a first shape to a second shape. The substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the hollow profile as the one or more forces are applied to the external wall surface of the hollow profile so that the internal wall surface is substantially free of deformations upon the hollow profile assuming the second shape, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the applied one or more forces to accommodate a change in shape of the hollow profile from the first shape to the second shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Batz, S. Coop.Inventors: Fernando Burguera Albizuri, Javier Salvador Delgado, José Ignacio Garrido Ramos
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Patent number: 8550326Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J Steel, Steve W. Larsen, Paul T. Higgins
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Patent number: 8322185Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a mandrel assembly for tube bending. The mandrel assembly comprises a plurality of chains, a ring arranged between the plurality of chains links, a plurality of ball segments, a shank and a pin. The ring is placed between the set of chain links and the chain links are inserted into the one side of the ball segment and the other side of the ball segment is inserted with other set of chain links and the pin is held to hold the components firmly. The plurality of chains links are passed into a machined section of each of the plurality of ball segments and the pin is inserted into a groove of the ball segments to hold the plurality of chains and then connected to the shank thereby forming a mandrel joint.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Inventors: Mahmoud Farzin, Mohammad Salem
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Patent number: 8056797Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Megastir TechnologiesInventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J. Steel, Monte Russell
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Patent number: 7984636Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Milisav Obradovic, Rainer Bregulla
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Patent number: 7651018Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignees: SII MegaDiamond, Advanced Metal Products, Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J. Steel, Monte Russell
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Patent number: 7578160Abstract: A pipe-bending machine mandrel includes a rigid member (5), inserted inside a pipe (T) which has an internal dimension Di and can tilt in a bending operation with a mean radius Rm as measured between the rotation center (O) of a bending die and the longitudinal axis (l) of the pipe (T). The rigid member (5) has a proximal side profile with respect to the rotation center (O) and includes a concave intermediate portion as generated by a radius Rci, and a distal side profile with respect to the rotation center (O) that includes two convex, divided, end portions as generated by respective radius Rce, where Rci=Rm?(Di/2)+t, and Rce=Rm+(Di/2)?t, t being a term varying according to the accuracy of the dimensional characteristics of the pipe and of the curve to be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: CML International S.p.A.Inventor: Alessandro Caporusso
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Patent number: 7469568Abstract: A device for handling a workpiece during a shaping process includes at least one gripping mechanism having at least two gripping elements that can move relative to one another for grasping the workpiece; at least one conveying device for conveying the gripping mechanism or at least one support apparatus to which the gripping mechanism is or may be attached; and at least one rotary drive for rotating the gripping mechanism about a rotational axis that extends through the gripping mechanism, and/or for rotating at least one of the gripping elements about a rotational axis that extends through the gripping element. The conveying device and the gripping mechanism can be connected to one another in a flexible manner in a flexible state while being positioned relative to one another in a rigid manner at least in one three-dimensional direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Langenstein & Schemann GmbHInventor: Frank Reissenweber
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Patent number: 7272922Abstract: A chain has chain links (110) having basically spherical geometry (116) and four flattened surfaces (118) equally distributed in the circumferential direction. A chamber (120) is formed in the chain links (110) in which a connecting member (112) is retained. A back side of the chain links (110) is furnished with a spherical joint surface (124). The connecting member (112) has on its side remote from the said joint surface (124) a head (150) which is furnished with a concave joint surface (162) which runs spaced apart from the outer surface of the chain link (110) and interacts with a complementarily convex joint surface (143) which is carried by the adjacent chain link (110) in the interior of the chamber (120).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Inventor: Otmar Fahrion
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Patent number: 7219527Abstract: A mandrel for bending which inhibits generation of irregularities on the inside of the bend is provided. The mandrel comprises a plurality of plugs in the form of discs and a through-hole is created substantially in the center of each plug. A flexible member is inserted through the through-holes of the respective plugs. One end of the flexible member is fixed to a shank so that the plugs are connected to the shank in series. Each plug is provided with a flat slant surface that descends from about the center of the plug toward the outer periphery of the plug. A lock hole is formed in parallel to the through hole in each plug and a flexible lock member, one end of which is fixed to the shank, is passed through the lock holes of the respective plugs.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha OptonInventor: Teruaki Yogo
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Patent number: 6318145Abstract: A tube expanding bullet is inserted into and expands a heat exchanger tube which has been pierced through collared fin holes of piled heat exchanging fins, so as to expand the fin holes and integrate the tube with the heat exchanging fins. The tube expanding bullet has a first part formed at a front part of the tube expanding bullet and a second part formed at a rear part of the tube expanding bullet whose maximum outer diameter is greater than that of the first part. The fin holes are firstly expanded by passing the first part of the bullet through the tube. The fin hole is secondly expanded by passing the second part of the bullet through the tube. A first rate of expansion of the fin hole by the first part of the tube expanding bullet is less than a second rate of expansion of the fin hole by the second part of the bullet.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihiro Baba
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Patent number: 6244092Abstract: A bending device for bending tubes, especially composite tubes. The bending device comprises at least two bending mandrels that each include a main part movable at most in the axial direction of the tubes. Each bending mandrel also includes a string of elements that are connected to the main part for pivoting in at least two mutually perpendicular planes.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Grand Prix Silencers B.V.Inventor: Hermanus G. Grobbenhaar
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Patent number: 6164113Abstract: A pipe bending apparatus is disclosed for bending pipe sections, particularly pipe sections of the type used in pipelines. The apparatus allows rapid clamping of the pipe section at reduced pressure via hydraulic fluid regeneration, while providing full hydraulic force for pipe section bending.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.Inventor: Billy J. Parker
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Patent number: 6142005Abstract: A die-protecting device used in bending an embossed metallic straight pipe with a small diameter and a thin wall is disclosed. Whereof a die core is placed in the straight embossed pipe to support and help the wall of the embossed pipe to bear bending force being scattered thereby and almost equally distributed to the whole wall and to get desired bending curvature. A pair of half-dies are put on and envelop the external wall surface of the embossed pipe to protect the embossed pipe. A flexible plastic pipe is slipped over the half-dies to protect the half-dies from loosening. A spiral spring is slipped over the plastic pipe, and a tension spring is slipped over the spiral spring. So that the bending force exerted on the half-dies, the embossed pipe and the plastic pipe can be more uniformly distributed, and the embossed pipe can be bent to et desired curvature.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Inventor: Shao-Chien Tseng
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Patent number: 6044687Abstract: A three-dimensional simple flexible mould for bending pipes comprised of a plurality of arciform or half-circled spring elements, pins and chucking rings for being a protecting mould in a three-dimensional pipe bending process. The two ends of every spring element have two lapping portions with a hole both or respectively with a hole and a snap mouth or with a snap mouth both for receiving two pins therein. The spring elements are strung with pins to form a spiral spring typed flexible mould. Thereby, a straight pipe to be bent can be placed for being processed by a three-dimensional pipe bending process with a pipe bending machine. The spring elements can scatter the stress in bending. Thus can increase the bending strength of the pipe under bending moment. The bending process and detachment of the mould are simple and can improve the technique of processing in making artistic pipes.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Inventor: Shao-Chien Tseng
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Patent number: 6032511Abstract: A three-dimensional simple flexible mould for bending pipes comprised of a plurality of arciform or half-circled spring elements, pins and chucking rings for being a protecting mould in a three-dimensional pipe bending process. The two ends of every spring element have two lapping portions each with a hole for insertion of two common pins therethrough. One of the lapping portions on each of the spring elements is lapped over one of the lapping portions of the neighbored one of the spring elements at one side of the spring element and the other over another of the lapping portions of another neighbored one of the spring elements at the other side thereof. Such that said spring elements are strung to be in the form of a spiral spring typed flexible mould. The pins are provided on the two open ends thereof with annular grooves for engagement by the chucking rings to prevent the spring elements from dropping.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Inventor: Shao-Chien Tseng
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Patent number: 5974854Abstract: An apparatus for bending forging an artistic metallic straight pipe, wherein, a die core made from a steel rope is placed in the pipe bore, a kind of filler including plastisol is then introduced into the pipe bore till it is saturated to form a solid straight pipe. The latter is placed in an upper and a lower bendable die housing which each forms a trough, both ends of the die housings are provided with latch holes which are inserted therein with supporting axles. Polyurethane is poured into the troughs to envelop the straight pipe. Many hard bracing stubs are buried in the top/bottom of the troughs, and after heating to solidify the polyurethane, a flexible die set is formed. Both external top and bottom surfaces of the upper and lower die housings are provided thereon with a laminated spring, so that when the die set is forged, action force can be uniformly distributed to render the straight pipe to be bending forged to have the desired bending curvature.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Shao-Chien Tseng
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Patent number: 5836199Abstract: A plurality of beads with matching transverse faces and longitudinal bores cooperate to form a bendable shaft with a duct therethrough, held in face-to-face contact with a plurality of elastic bands within the duct. Alternatively, the plurality of bands may comprise a single elastic inner tube. The elastic bands may also mutually overlap to provide redundancy in case a band should break.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Zetec, IncInventor: Christopher R. Loud
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Patent number: 5755130Abstract: A method is described for reducing the diameter of the open end of a can, such as a beverage can, in a necking station while substantially preventing the formation of pleats in the can. The necking station includes a deformable support punch that is positioned within the open end of the can. The punch includes an elastomeric sleeve and a means for providing for lateral deformation of the sleeve, such as an actuator making an interference fit with the sleeve. In the necking station, the can is inserted into a necking die having a transition zone separating an outer cylindrical bore and an inner bore having a reduced diameter. When the top edge of the can is forced past the transition zone in to the inner bore to reduce the dimension of the upper portion of the can, the sleeve is controllably deformed in a manner such that the lateral portion of the sleeve is placed into supporting engagement with the interior wall of the can, pressing the can against the transition zone of the die.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: American National Can Co.Inventors: Thomas T. Tung, Manny Klapper, Andy Halasz, Jean Proubet, Joel Courbon, Rene Meneghin
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Patent number: 5685190Abstract: An expanding mandrel (10) used mainly for expanding heat exchanging tubes (21) of a cross fin coil (20) of an air conditioning machine, so as to connect them to fins of the cross fin coil. The expanding mandrel has flexibilty, comprising a plurality of mandrel pieces (11) which are bandably connected in a row, with an expanding head (13) disposed at the leading end. By an expanding method and an expanding apparatus both using the mandrel (10), the mandrel (10) is wound on the winding drum (41); is fed from the winding drum (41) so as to be inserted into the heat exchanging tube (21) of the cross fin coil so as to be expanded at the time of tube expansion; and is retracted from the heat exchanging tube (21), after completion of the expanding, so as to be wound on the winding drum (41). This provides a decreased size of the apparatus and allows even an expansion of a heat exchanging tube which has been bend-processed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Yamamoto, Shigemi Miwa, Isao Ogami, Noriaki Nakao, Takuro Katagami
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Patent number: 5588505Abstract: An internal mandrel assembly is provided that includes a cleaning attachment for cleaning the interior surface of a tube during a bending operation. The internal mandrel assembly includes a mandrel shank, a plurality of mandrel ball assemblies pivotally coupled to the mandrel shank in a linked configuration, a cleaning attachment pivotally coupled to the last mandrel ball assembly, and a locating rod that positions the mandrel shank within the tube. The internal mandrel assembly also cooperates with a lubricant pump and a lubricant collector. The cleaning attachment includes a wiper for cleaning the interior surface of the tube, a linking member, a first support washer, a second support washer, and a retaining shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Calsonic North America, Inc.Inventor: Phillip T. Heath
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Patent number: 5564303Abstract: An internal mandrel is disclosed which is used for supporting the inner wall of a pipe during bending. A plurality of unique resilient discs is provided. The discs are dome shaped with a rim at the bottom of the dome. The dome has a concave side and a convex side. The discs nest together, i.e. convex side of one into the concave side of the adjacent disc to form a resilient plug. A hydraulic cylinder applies force on the convex side of the outermost disc and the concave side of the innermost disc to deflect the rims of the disc outwardly to contact the inner wall of the pipe being bent.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventors: Robert W. Buchanan, Merle J. Malek
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Patent number: 5555762Abstract: A filling material such as a fatty acid is filled into a metallic pipe in a molten state. The metallic pipe is then bent at a room temperature in a condition in which the filling material is solidified. After the bending work has been finished, the filling material is melted and discharged out of the pipe. The filling material may be a mixture of a fatty acid and a powdery additive.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushi Kaisha, Marubishi Yuha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiro Kawamura, Isao Manabe, Shingo Nakashima
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Patent number: 5502997Abstract: A gripper and mandrel assembly for a tube bender, particularly a bender of the stretch type. At least two gripper jaws close about an end of a tubular workpiece when actuated by the cone portion of a slideable shaft. The same shaft has a cable and ball type mandrel extending outwardly from its distal end. During a stroke of the shaft from the DISENGAGE to the ENGAGE position of the assembly, the shaft both drives the mandrel into the workpiece and also causes the jaws to close about the end of the tube. When in the ENGAGE position, the distal end of the shaft is inside the tube in order to prevent the gripper jaws from deforming or otherwise causing excessive damage to the workpiece end. An abrasive coating partially covers the inner surface of the recess of the gripper jaw that contacts the outer wall of the workpiece in order to insure a firm grasp of the workpiece by the gripper jaws. A tube bender would have at least two assemblies, one to grasp each end of a tubular workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: John M. Boettger, Frank Guliuzza, Jr.
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Patent number: 5485739Abstract: A straightener for removing dents from an installed section of pipe. The inventive device includes a tapered body positionable within the pipe. A vibrating assembly within the body removes dents from the pipe as the device is pulled therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Inventor: James G. Grimmett
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Patent number: 5369973Abstract: The invention relates to a process for bending pipes, which preferably are deformable or bendable when heated. In this process the pipe to be bent is heated, if need be, an inside support is put in, and then the bending operation is carried out. Prior to the bending operation a pipe-like inside sleeve (3) which is expandable up to a certain degree is inserted in the pipe (1) to be Dent, and the inside sleeve (3) is filled with a pressurized medium so that it comes to rest fully against the inside wall of the pipe (1) to be bent, whereupon the bending operation takes place. The apparatus for performing the process comprises an insertable flexible pressure pipe (3) of a material that expands under pressure, the ends of this pipe being fitted with sealing parts (5, 6), the outside diameter of which is not greater than the inside diameter of the pipe (1) to be bent.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Hans-Peter RuppertInventor: Ernst Wendorff
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Patent number: 5349839Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and methods for the stretch forming of an elongated hollow metal section, such as an aluminum extrusion. The apparatus and methods use a flexible constraining means which surrounds at least a portion of the outer periphery of the elongated hollow metal section to constrain and support the walls of the elongated hollow metal section against the forces produced within the interior of the hollow metal section during the reshaping of the extrusion by the stretch forming operation. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein resist wrinkles, crimps and bulges being formed in the walls of the elongated hollow metal section during the stretch forming and reshaping thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Robert E. Weykamp, Robert P. Evert
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Patent number: 5327765Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and a method for the stretch forming of an elongated hollow metal section, such as an aluminum extrusion. The apparatus and method of this invention uses a collapsible and expandable articulated mandrel positioned inside portions of the elongated hollow metal section to constrain and support the internal wall surfaces of the elongated hollow metal section against the reshaping forces imposed on the interior of the hollow metal section during the stretch forming operation. The mandrel disclosed herein prevents the formation of wrinkles and crimps being formed in the walls of the elongated hollow metal section during the stretch forming and reshaping thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1993Date of Patent: July 12, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Robert E. Weykamp, Thomas W. Scherf
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Patent number: 5323631Abstract: A tool device for supporting one or more walls of an elongated hollow member located in a recess of a die for bending said member over a surface of the die while said member is in a stretched condition. The tool device comprises a plurality of segments held together in a snake-like arrangement by at least one cable extending through the segments. Opposed ends of the cable are provided with means for connecting the cable to opposed clamp assemblies of stretch bend apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1993Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Robert E. Weykamp, Robert P. Evert
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Patent number: 5303573Abstract: Aluminum automobile wheels are straightened by exerting gentle pressure on the wheel to urge the wheel back to its original shape. If the metal does not move under pressure, the wheel is heated, and pressure again exerted, the process continuing until the wheel becomes round. A C-shaped wheel mount carries a spindle which mounts a hub. The hub rigidly receives the wheel, and the hub is selectively rotatable, and the wheel mount is selectively rotatable about a horizontal axis. The wheel is gently brought back to shape without excess heat or excess working to damage the metal. A final metal spinning step relieves stresses in the metal and brings the wheel to final tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Wheel Wizard International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas E. Douglas
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Patent number: 5272905Abstract: A tube support mandrel for use with a multiaxis tube bender acts to support the outer surface, rather than the inner surface, of the tube, and so may be used with tubes that are open on one side, or which otherwise do not have a complete, enclosed interior. In the disclosed embodiment, the mandrel includes a stack of thin steel plates, each of which has a central hole that matches the outer surface of the tube. A partially urethane overmold encases and retains the plates together with the central holes aligned. When the tube is forced through the bender, it passes through the aligned plate holes, which closely confine and support its cross sectional shape while flexing to accommodate the curvature being bent into it.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Peter M. Parlow, Jeffrey A. Tibbenham, Emery J. Madach
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Patent number: 5195343Abstract: A pusher bar assembly for a multi-axis tube bender acts to insert and withdraw the bending support mandrel, as well as to push the tube through the bender. A hollow sleeve with a diameter equal to the tube has sufficient length to contain both the mandrel and a piloting plug, which can be inserted between the free ends of both the tube and sleeve. A mandrel bar is slidably received through the sleeve, and so can extend the mandrel out of a stored position of the sleeve into the tube and back. A stop means stops the mandrel bar to locate the mandrel at the proper place in the tube. A push pull means on the mandrel bar also pushes the plug to a point where it bridges the free ends of the tube and sleeve with the mandrel stops. Therefore, a high pushing force can be directed from the sleeve to the tube without the free ends collapsing inside one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1992Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Antoni J. Malarz
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Patent number: 5131254Abstract: Apparatus for bending elongated members transversely to a web thereof without substantially altering the cross-sectional configuration thereof including a flexible form having a plurality of pivotal seats and flexible plates. Flexible mandrels including a plurality of parallel plates are received within the elongated members and, in combination with a plurality of clamps, the flexible form and a press plate supporting the elongated member, prevent the bending forces exerted thereon from distorting the cross-sectional configuration of the elongated members. The flexible form distributes the exerted force required to bend the elongated member over a selected length thereof, thereby reducing the unit force exerted on any selected point to a level that will not buckle the elongated member.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1991Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Whitefab, IncInventor: Francis E. White
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Patent number: 5092150Abstract: A transport mechanism (28) is disclosed for use in a pipe bender (10) for bending pipe sections (12), particularly pipe sections having a diameter greater than one foot. First and second powered rollers (30, 32) are mounted within the pipe bender and driven by hydraulic motors to move the pipe section in a controlled manner through the pipe bender. A hold down roller (34) is pivoted against the pipe section to force the pipe section into engagement with the powered rollers to insure an adequately frictional engagement between the rollers and the pipe section to move the pipe section through the pipe bender.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1991Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.Inventor: Joseph A. Cunningham
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Patent number: 4953376Abstract: In a metal spinning process and apparatus for necking down a container having an open end, a closed end and generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces, a resilient pressure bladder is inserted into the container prior to the necking down operation. Pressure is maintained in the bladder throughout the operation to prevent crumpling of the container body. The invention is particularly useful on thin walled, deep drawn steel containers.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1989Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Inventor: John C. Merlone
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Patent number: 4916952Abstract: A pipe supporting mandrel for use in connection with a mandrel rod of a pipe bending machine includes a hose-like part of flexible material hermetically sealed at both ends thereof and being provided at one end with a connecting piece attachable to the mandrel rod. The mandrel rod and connecting piece having a throughgoing passage for admitting a pressure medium into the flexible hose-like part. Before the start of the bending process, the flexible hose-like part is inserted into the region of the pipe to be bent and after inflation by the pressure medium it firmly engages against the inner wall of the pipe. After completion of the bending the hose-like part is deflated and the entire mandrel is withdrawn from the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1987Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Benteler AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dieter Thielmann, Egon Olszewski
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Patent number: 4881399Abstract: A double-action screw press is proposed, wherein a mechanism for braking an outer slide when it approaches the extreme bottom position is disposed on the face surface of the slide. The mechanism comprises a plate provided with a device for movement along the longitudinal axis of a screw, four elastic elements arranged on the plate, a pair of which, by a traverse are kinematically associated with a second stop. The latter is installed in the traverse for turning and interacts by its face surface with the face surface of a first stop. In addition, the press is provided with a third stop rigidly coupled with a frame and interacting with the plate when the outer slide approaches the extreme bottom position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignees: Moskovskoe Vyschee tekhnicheskoe uchilische imeni N.E.Baumana, Experimentalny nauchno-issledovatelsky institut kuznechno-pressovogo mashinostroenia "ENIKMASH"Inventors: Jury A. Bocharov, Anatoly V. Safonov, Anatoly P. Nosov, Jury I. Tamaris, Evgeny S. Lunkov, Vladimir I. Myakinenkov, Igor Y. Perepechin, Leonid L. Rudman, Viktor P. Salov, Igor V. Bovykin, Mark M. Zaidlin
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Patent number: 4787227Abstract: The invention relates to a feed-through element for application in a vacuum apparatus for the continuous feeding through of material with wire character to be treated at least made up of a casing and a sealing element set up therein that is in contact with the surface of the material with wire character during feeding through, whereby the sealing element is formed by a split drawing die (20), whereby the casing is formed by a holder (21;22) for the split drawing die (20), whereby the split drawing die (20) being set up with play inside the holder (21;22) and at least a resilient means (28) being inserted in the space between the drawing die (20) and the holder (21;22) and whereby a part of the holder (21;22) being connected in a gastight way to a partition wall of the vacuum apparatus (1).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.Inventors: Hugo Lievens, Wilfried Coppens
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Patent number: 4744233Abstract: A bending apparatus is provided for rectangular tubes. The apparatus comprises a bending die, a wiper die, a clamp die, a pressure die and a mandrel. The clamp die and pressure die are provided with tongues which are engageable in corresponding grooves in the bending and wiper dies. The tongues and the clamping and pressure surfaces of the respective dies are dimensioned to enable the rectangular tube to be bent about either of its two axes by placing the tube on either of the opposed sides of the respective tongues. The tongue of the pressure die is movable to facilitate the tangential advancement of the pressure die under the action of a booster for urging the tubing into the bend. The mandrel includes a plurality of movable blocks. A plurality of springs interconnect the blocks to facilitate alignment. The blocks are mounted to a replaceable head which can be removed and replaced when worn. The mandrel includes channels for lubrication.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1986Date of Patent: May 17, 1988Assignee: AP Industries, Inc.Inventor: Gerald R. Trudell
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Patent number: 4733550Abstract: An apparatus for forming a dome in the bottom wall of a can body having a beveled peripheral edge incorporating a floating doming die and pressure ring to compensate for misalignment of the doming die and punch or the can body, and resilient members for restoring the doming die and pressure ring accurately to a normal coaxial central position.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1987Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Assignee: Precision Products of Tennessee, Inc.Inventor: Arthur E. Williams