Abstract: Conventional apparatus for forming pressure vessels from tubing involves a separate step of the forming of the tubing into coils and then separately welding the coils together. The conventional method has proven to be costly because of the type of apparatus required as well as time consuming and frequently producing a poor quality product when the welding is done independent of coiling step. The subject apparatus overcomes these problems by providing a collapsible mandrel to which tubing is wrapped to form coils for a pressure vessel and simultaneously welding the coils together in one step. The coils are guided on the mandrel by a carriage means which is controlled by a hydraulic system to maintain the coils into intimate contact with each other as they are being welded together. A welding torch, also carried by the carriage, is guided by the forming of the coils rather than some guide means to guide the welder independently of this operation.

Abstract: Conventional press brake female dies which have to be manually adjusted are not adaptable to today's automated factories for producing different shaped components on a demand basis. The subject apparatus overcomes this problem by providing powered, adjustable female die jaws that are positively located by powered rotary shims having several thicknesses to be presented according to the desired opening between the jaws. The power source for adjusting the jaws and the rotary shims may be controlled electronically to adjust the jaws to a position to produce a prescribed shape from a plate of metal.

Abstract: Conventional apparatus for testing fuel injectors are inconvenient, difficult to adapt to different injectors and are quite expensive. The subject apparatus overcomes these problems by providing a testing apparatus which has a fuel manifold with internal passages to an interchangeable adaptor. The interchangeable adapter provides for different sizes of fuel injectors and changes in access to their fuel ports. The apparatus includes visual inspection means that can readily changed to a measuring means for measuring the fuel being injected as well as to continuously observe the injection spray. The entire apparatus is self-contained in a manner that reduces external leakage of fuel during testing and is under control of an electronic controller that simulates engine operation of a fuel injector.

Abstract: A tube assembly is formed by placing a sleeve member over an end portion of a tube and then placing the tube and sleeve in a die. A movable punch is then pressed against a projecting end portion of the tube thereby forming a radially extending double upset flange integrally with the sleeve member. The sleeve member has contact surfaces against which a substantial portion of the radially extending double upset flange conforms. A portion of the outer surface of the tube, and the entire surface of a compound curved fillet extending from the outer surface of the tube to a radially outwardly extending surface of the flange also conform to the sleeve member.

Abstract: A burn table suitable for supporting a workpiece during cutting is disclosed. The burn table comprises a fluid tank for providing a preselected fluid level and a bed of granular material, an upper surface of which supports a workpiece at a preselected distance from the level of the fluid. The granular material is diamagnetic and generally noncombustible. A chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid residing in the tank along with means for introducing into and exhausting from the chamber a gas. Raising or lowering the fluid level in the tank occurs by, respectively, introducing into or exhausting gas from the chamber. A guide rail attached to the tank and a smoothing bar are provided to screed or level the surface of the bed of granular material which supports the workpiece. In addition, the smoothing bar includes an electromagnet permitting slag formed during the cutting process to be removed during leveling of the granular material bed surface.

Abstract: A chip conveyor moves material through a conduit using plates of substantially oval shape, the axis of symmetry of which coincides substantially with the axis of the drive chains. The plates consist of two identical half-plates joined together and mounted on the drive chain. The conveyor is especially useful for transporting chips from machine tools.

Abstract: Conventional apparatus for pressing the track links onto pin and bushings of the track chain during assembly thereof experience difficulty in aligning the links with the pin and bushings because the presses become somewhat loose and out of alignment. The subject apparatus overcomes this problem by providing a self aligning feature in the link locating and driving means. The link locating and driving member is mounted on the pressure plate that is attached to the press rams. A support plate is guided from the pressure plate by guides and resilient members that allow the support plate to shift with respect to the pressure plate with the aid of tapered noses on plungers supported by pressure barrels as the rams move forwardly to press the links onto the pin and bushings held in a fixture. In this manner any misalignment is accounted for by the self-aligning feature of the locating and driving members.

Abstract: A track support for supporting a flexible continuous loop track when it is being removed or installed on a vehicle. Removing or installing the continuous loop flexible track by conventional methods is very difficult because of its weight and flexibility. The subject apparatus includes a track support having first and second ends with curved plates approximately the shape of semi-circular ends of the track loop where it engages wheels on a vehicle. The first and second ends are supported by at least one beam attached thereto in a manner to adjustably set the track support snug with the flexible track loop. Several retainers with hooks and fasteners secure the track to the support. Thereby the flexible track is held in an oval shape when being removed or installed on the vehicle similar to the shape it is when on the vehicle.

Abstract: Conventional apparatus for pressing retaining rings into a track assembly do not properly line up with the retaining ring when the press is under the high pressure required. The subject apparatus overcomes this problem by providing a self-aligning anvil for driving a tool. The anvil has an adapter for mounting it to the press and an anvil member with a work surface for engaging the tool. The adapter engages the anvil member along a semi-spherical mating surface having a radius extending from the intersection of the centerline of the anvil and a plane extending through a tool land of the tool where it engages the workpiece. The anvil member is attached to the adapter by a pin attached to the anvil member which extends across the semi-spherical mating surface into a resilient member mounted in the adapter at its center.

Abstract: Prepackaging the various components of an engine cylinder assembly as an exchange or overhaul kit is useful in servicing or overhauling a single cylinder of a multiple cylinder engine. The heretofore known devices for holding the components of the engine cylinder assembly together were primarily used with small engines where the weight of the components was sufficiently low so as to not cause any handling difficulties. The subject apparatus includes a pair of brackets which positively grippingly engage the flange of the cylinder liner and a lifting element which is releasably attached to the piston with bolts threaded into threaded holes in the piston such that a portion of the brackets is sandwiched between the lifting element and the piston. The apparatus is positively engaged with the components of the engine cylinder assembly and positively maintains the components in fixed relationship with one another.

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.