Abstract: An optical probe for measuring various parameters of bent tube comprises a somewhat V-shaped working head having first and second interconnected arms and slightly inwardly projecting end sections. Light sensitive diode arrays are mounted at the intersecting ends of the arms, and laser diode point light sources are mounted at the projecting end sections for directing sharply defined diverging light beams toward the arrays. A small diameter tube positioned within the sensitive area occludes sections of the light sensitive arrays to enable computation of the position of the centerline of the tube. Moving the probe in a scanning path along the tube enables a large number of measurements to be made for defining points on a best fit line that averages many measurements. From measured slopes of tangents from each laser to the circumference of a large tube of known tube diameter, coordinates of offsets of a point on the tube centerline are calculated.

Abstract: A process control system for monitoring and controlling elements of a process. A control unit is electrically connected to a multi-conductor cable upon which are removably connected in series configuration a plurality of serially addressable control modules. The control modules are removably connected to elements of the controlled process to permit monitoring and control of the elements. The modules may be readily connected to or removed from the process elements and multi-conductor cable, to permit expansion or modification of the control system as needed for proper use in controlling process systems. The control modules operate independently from outside signals in monitoring the process elements, and respond to selected element status conditions by accessing communication with the central controller on a priority basis over other control modules in the system. The control unit includes a touch sensitive video screen for providing information to an receiving instructions from a user.

Abstract: A bend arm assembly pivotable about a given axis of a bending machine and including a clamp die mechanism with a clamp die for coaction witha rotary bend die for clamping a workpiece for bending, the bend arm assembly including the clamp die mechanism then pivoting through the desired bend angle, as a unit, about the axis of the bend die. The bend arm assembly includes a back plate, with first and second guide slots, with the clamp die assembly mounted on the end of a clamp die block, which has laterally protruding guide bolts extending into the guide slots. A cam plate is secured to the clamp die block in depending relation, and is provided with a cam slot. A hydraulic cylinder driven cam actuator arm assembly includes interconnected parallel arms, which pivot about an axis, which is pivotally coupled to the structure about which the bend die pivots, with a cam follower rod extending through the cam slot.

Abstract: A pipe holding collet is provided with an insert assembly that can be readily and quickly changed without the use of tools so as to adapt the collet to hold tubes of different sizes. The insert assembly is formed of a number of identical longitudinally separate segments, radially urged outwardly by compression springs and held together in a unitary assembly by a segment encircling retainer ring. The radially contractible and expandable assembly is releasably held within the bore of a master collet by means of an interengaging circumferential groove on the inner surfaces of the master collet fingers and circumferential ribs on the outer surfaces of the insert segments.

Abstract: A bend arm assembly pivotable about a given axis of a bending machine and including a clamp die mechanism with a clamp die for coaction with a rotary bend die for clamping a workpiece for bending, the bend arm assembly including the clamp die mechanism then pivoting through the desired bend angle, as a unit, about the axis of the bend die. The bend arm assembly includes a back plate, with first and second guide slots, with the clamp die assembly mounted on the end of a clamp die block, which has laterally protruding guide bolts extending into the guide slots. A cam plate is secured to the clamp die block in depending relation, and is provided with a cam slot. A hydraulic cylinder driven cam actuator arm assembly includes interconnected parallel arms, which pivot about an axis, which is pivotally coupled to the structure about which the bend die pivots, with a cam follower rod extending through the cam slot.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for the bend arm of bending apparatus wherein a drive motor has the drive shaft thereof generally parallel to the axis of pivoting of the bend arm assembly, and along a line at an angle to the feed direction of a tube. The drive shaft is directly coupled to a bell crank having first and second generally perpendicular arms. A like bell crank arrangement is formed in the bend arm and is driveably coupled to the bend arm pivot shaft with the bend arm bell crank in aligned relation to the drive motor bell crank. First and second generally identical rigid noncompliant link arms have the first ends thereof pivotally coupled to the free ends of the arms of the bend arm bell crank, with the other end thereof pivotally coupled to the free ends of the drive motor bell crank. The link arms are generally L-shaped, with the distal ends of the short legs thereof coupled to the bend arm bell crank, one of the ends above the crank and one below the crank.