Abstract: A method and apparatus for radially expanding and anchoring a sleeve within a tube are provided. The apparatus includes a hydraulic expanding mandrel, a fluid source for supplying a first pressurized fluid and a second fluid to first and second pumps and a fluid control mechanism for selectively activating the second pump and for controlling the total volume of pressurized fluid discharged by the second pump. In order to radially expand and anchor the sleeve within the tube, the sleeve is first inserted within the tube. Then, the mandrel is inserted within the sleeve such that the mandrel and sleeve together define a substantially annular hydraulic pressure zone situated between the sleeve, the body of the mandrel and the seals.

Abstract: A method for radially expanding and anchoring a sleeve within a tube is provided. The apparatus includes a hydraulic expanding mandrel, a fluid source for supplying a first pressurized fluid and a second fluid to first and second pumps and a fluid control mechanism for selectively activating the second pump and for controlling the total volume of pressurized fluid discharged by the second pump. In order to radially expand and anchor the sleeve within the tube, the sleeve is first inserted within the tube. Then, the mandrel is inserted within the sleeve such that the mandrel and sleeve together define a substantially annular hydraulic pressure zone situated between the sleeve, the body of the mandrel and the seals.

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 hydraulic powered stud tensioner as employed to tension stud-like members in forming flanged joints in pipes or like vessels. A housing containing a plurality of segment shaped jaws having thread portions for engaging the stud threads. An actuating sleeve rotatably supported in the housing and having inner camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are arranged so that rotation of the sleeve to one extreme moves the thread portions radially inward into engagement with the stud threads and to the other extreme moves the thread portions radially outward and free of the stud threads. An improved hydraulic actuator having a piston and an improved fluid seal on one side of the piston. An air chamber formed on the opposite side of the piston for receiving compressed air and applying force to the piston in a reverse direction to facilitate disengagement of the jaws from the stud threads.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use with pressurized fluid systems employs a tube that is secured to a ferrule, preferably by hydraulic swaging. During the swaging operation, a projecting end of the tube can be expanded against a die and thereby pre-sized. A sealing ring is then placed on the projecting end of the tube and enclosed within a cavity formed when a fitting is secured to the ferrule by a retainer. A spring that energizes the seal can be included in the cavity. The seal is formed between concentric circumferential surfaces and is independent of axial movement of the joint elements. A metal-to-metal backup seal can be formed by the ferrule and the fitting.

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 the secondary side of the tube sheet, an elastomeric ring extends beyond the tube sheet and, in response to the fluid pressure, produces an attenuated radial expansion force that bulges the tube to produce a tight seal at the tube sheet surface and a positive mechanical interlock between the tube and the tube sheet.

Abstract: A stud tensioning apparatus includes an array of arcuate jaw segments that are movable inwardly to cause grooves on the segments to engage the threads of the studs. The tensioning force is applied to the segments by a pull member that has hangers received by apertures in the segments. The hangers fit loosely into the apertures, permitting the segments to move pivotably in two perpendicular directions to compensate for misalignment between the stud and the tensioning apparatus.

Abstract: A leakage testing apparatus includes a pull bar surrounded by an array of arcuate segments having teeth that engage and deform the inner surface of a tube. When tension is applied to the pull bar, a cam forces the segments to move outwardly to contact the tube while maintaining a parallel relationship to said pull bar.

Abstract: A swaging apparatus includes a drawbar to be inserted in a tubular structure that is to be expanded radially. Two confinement structures define the axial boundaries of an annular pressure zone within which one or more elastically deformable pressurization rings are confined. One or both of these structures includes a plurality of arcuate segments elastically held together and presenting a cam surface. A cam ring interacts with that cam surface to radially expand a cylinder formed by the segments in response to swaging pressure, thereby preventing inelastic deformation of the pressurization rings.

Abstract: A method for radially expanding tubes within a tube sheet involves the application of radially expansive swaging forces from a pre-expander apparatus and a hydraulic mandrel. The pre-expander is used first and includes at least one primary expander and at least one secondary expander. The expanders surround and are compressed axially by a draw bar, thereby producing outwardly directed radial pressure against the interior surface of the tube anchoring the tube within the tube sheet. An unexpanded land remains between the two expanded regions corresponding to an axially incompressible spacer that separates the expanders. Next, the hydraulic mandrel, which has seals that define the ends of a pressure zone, is inserted in the tube and positioned so that both seals engage unexpanded portions of the tube, one of these unexpanded portions being the land.

Abstract: A high pressure hydraulic tool such as a tube swaging apparatus having a lengthwise-flexible, hollow metallic delivery conduit extending from a hydraulic pressure source to an adaptor. The conduit has an outer diameter of less than about one-eighth inch and an inner diameter of from about 0.01 inch to about 0.05 inch, the conduit being fabricated from a metal having a tensile strength sufficiently great that the tube will not fail when pressurized to at least about 30,000 psi. Swivelable connectors join the lengthwise-flexible conduit to the hydraulic pressure source and to the adaptor, so that the hydraulic source may be connected readily to a succession of tubes to be swaged.

Abstract: A swaging apparatus includes a mandrel to be inserted in a tubular structure that is to be expanded radially. A pair of seals define the axial boundaries of an annular pressure zone between the mandrel and the tubular structure. One or both of the seals includes a support formed by a plurality of arcuate segments elastically held together and presenting a cam surface. A cam member interacts with the cam surface to expand the support radially in response to swaging pressure, thereby preventing inelastic deformation of an elastic member on the high pressure side of the support.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming leak-proof joints between tubes and a tube sheet by the internal application of hydraulic swaging pressure, the flow of relatively low pressure fluid from a pressure source to an intensifier is permitted or interrupted by a control valve. During a prefill period, a prefill valve causes the low pressure fluid to bypass the low pressure input side of the intensifier and flow directly to the high pressure side and then to a mandrel. Thereafter, the low pressure fluid is caused to enter the low pressure side of the intensifier to increase the pressure in the mandrel during a swaging period. A pressurization sensor, which is connected to the input and output sides of the prefill valve, contains a piston which is movable in response to the difference in the pressures at these two points to produce a termination signal which, after a delay, actuates the control signal at the end of the swaging period.

Abstract: A swaging apparatus for expanding a tube radially to form a joint, the apparatus including a mandrel for insertion in the tube. A working fluid is supplied through the mandrel to apply hydraulic pressure to the tube. The mandrel carries a pair of oppositely directed ramps, and a pair of seal combinations that are movable axially along the ramps. The seal combinations define the ends of an annular volume within which the pressurized fluid flows between the mandrel and the tube, each seal combination including a softer primary seal, which may be an O-ring, and a harder backup seal. Positioning sleeves that are axially slidable on the mandrel prevent angular movement of the backup seals relative to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, thereby maintaining a uniform circumferential extrusion gap between the mandrel and the tube when pressure is applied.

Abstract: A mixing pump includes a primary pumping chamber opposed by a secondary mixing chamber with primary and secondary pistons that are connected to each other and reciprocated in the chambers. Preferably, an actuator mechanism that drives the pistons is located between the chambers. An additive fluid is expelled from the secondary chamber through a mixing conduit into a mixing chamber where it is injected into a main fluid. The fluid mixture from the mixing chamber is then admitted to the primary pumping chamber from which it is expelled under pressure, preferably through an outlet valve in the primary piston. The fluid can be more thoroughly mixed as it passes through that valve and an annular passage surrounding this piston.