Abstract: A gas cylinder with internal time delay which is entirely self contained within the cylinder. A valve pin that controls communication between the two sides of the piston through one or more a one-way valves in the piston. As each piston is moved by a die into the cylinder body, it exposes a portion of reduced cross section on a valve pin and gas flows through a one way valve such that the effective area of the piston is reduced. When the die moves away from the workpiece, a time delay occurs and the piston is delayed until the piston moves upwardly and closes communication between the sides of the piston.

Abstract: A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive die stations in a stamping press includes an enlongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpices at successive die stations, a first drive mechanism for reociprocating the finger bar longitudinally for transferring workpieces between successive die stations, and a second drive mechanism for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagment with the workpieces at the die stations. The second drive mechanism has at least two finger bar drive modules coupled to the finger bar and spaced from each other lengthwise of the finger bar. A drive shaft extends between and interconnects the two drive modules. Each of the drive modules has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar.

Abstract: A gas cylinder for use in die systems for forming lightweight parts. In one form, the cylinder forms a self contained gas spring which is interchangeable with a coil spring that is constructed such that it is not adversely affected by the deleterious effects of oil and other contaminants. The gas cylinder comprises a one-piece cylindrical upper body having a base wall and a peripheral wall and a hollow rod extending upwardly into the cylindrical body such that the upper body completely encircles and encloses the upper end of the rod. The rod has a base having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the rod. The peripheral wall of the cylinder and the outer diameter of the base have substantially the same diameter such that the cylinder can be positioned in a recess of a press or die in place of a coil spring. The cylindrical body and rod include interengaging portions limiting axially outwardly movement of the cylinder relative to the rod.

Abstract: A self contained gas spring comprising a cylindrical housing having a closed end, an open end and a cylindrical bore. A cylindrical sleeve extends into the bore of the housing. The sleeve has at least a portion thereof forming an internal cylindrical surface. A piston rod extends through an opening in the sleeve and has a piston contacting the cylindrical surface. A portion of the sleeve defines a first space between the sleeve and the bore of the housing. The first space communicates with a second space between the piston end of the piston rod and the closed end of the housing. A charging valve is provided in the closed end of said housing for charging the space at the piston end of said piston rod and the space between the sleeve and the housing with gas under pressure. A third axial space is provided between the cylindrical surface on the sleeve and the piston rod above the piston and is isolated from the first space and second space.

Abstract: A high pressure die cylinder and manifold system including a plurality of die cylinders mounted on a manifold. Each die cylinder includes a cylinder body in which a piston rod and a piston is positioned for limited relative movement with respect to the cylinder body. A cup shaped piston sealing ring is mounted on the cylinder body for engagement with the piston rod and a cup shaped sealing ring is mounted on the piston for engagement with the cylinder body. A lubricant metering ring is mounted on the piston intermediate the sealing rings and the piston has a lubricant chamber that communicates with circumferentially spaced openings in the lubricant metering ring for delivering lubricant to the exterior of the sealing ring.

Abstract: A cut-off machine for cutting off predetermined lengths from a moving length of roll form material such as tubing adapted to be positioned downstream from a source comprising a plurality of cut-off assemblies which are reciprocated longitudinally of the moving length of material and operated during the movement to sever plural predetermined lengths. A servo motor crank drive assembly is provided which includes a crank having a roller which is yieldingly engaged with a cam track that has a flat tangential portion such that the roller traverses the flat portion. During this movement across the flat portion, the cut-off assemblies are reciprocated driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of movement of the tube at the time the lengths of tubing are being cut off.

Abstract: Tubes for a high pressure condenser are made by utilizing flat strip stock that is coated on both surfaces with a coating that will fuse and bond on the application of heat and has a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced deformed portions or projections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting corrugated webs having louvers from a strip which is continuously formed to define undulating fins or corrugations extending transversely of the strip. The method and apparatus comprises periodically interrupting the movement of the corrugated strip, locating the strip, and severing the corrugation along an apex by moving a shearing cutting blade such that the blade is moved to engage and cut beginning at one longitudinal edge and progressively across the apex of the corrugation to the other edge of the corrugation. The apparatus functions to lift the knife blade initially to separate the corrugation thereby moving louvers out of contact with one another such that the louvers would not be severed by the movement of the knife blade.

Abstract: A cut-off machine for cutting off predetermined lengths from a moving length of roll form material such as tubing adapted to be positioned downstream from a source comprising a plurality of cut-off assemblies which are reciprocated longitudinally of the moving length of material and operated during the movement to sever plural predetermined lengths. The reciprocating and cutting movements are derived from a differential beam pivot assembly wherein one end of the beam is driven in a linear reciprocating path by a crank and the other end of the beam is connected to reciprocate the cut-off assemblies such that they are driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of the tube at the time the lengths of tubing are cut off. The apparatus can be adjusted to cut tubes of different lengths by moving the pivot point of the differential beam. The apparatus includes a mechanism for selectively disabling the operation of the cut-off assemblies and actuating them to permit greater lengths of tubes to be cut-off.

Abstract: A control console for a gas die cylinder system which includes a plurality of gas die cylinders to which gas under pressure is provided wherein the control console comprises a body including an inlet for gas, a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet, a visual pressure gauge of the direct pressure type communicating with the chamber. An outlet extends from the chamber to the exterior of the body and a one way pressure control valve is provided between the outlet and the chamber and operable upon predetermined pressure in the outlet to modulate and maintain the pressure in the chamber at a predetermined pressure thereby minimizing oscillations and vibrations in the direct type pressure gauge.

Abstract: A self contained gas spring which is interchangeable with a coil spring that is constructed such that it is not adversely affected by the deleterious effects of oil and other contaminants. The gas spring comprises a one-piece cylindrical upper body having a base wall and a peripheral wall and a rod extending upwardly into the cylindrical body such that the upper body completely encircles and encloses the upper end of the rod. The rod has a base and the outer diameter of the peripheral wall of the cylinder and the outer diameter of the base have substantially the same diameter such that the cylinder can be positioned in a recess of a press or die in place of a coil spring. The cylindrical body and rod include interengaging portions limiting axially outwardly movement of the cylinder relative to the rod.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising opposed parallel header tubes having circumferentially spaced grooves along the length thereof with inclined sides and a base on the external surface of the groove and spaced annular ribs on the inner surface opposite the grooves. Each groove has a transverse slot therein for receiving open ends of an elongated flat tube. Each header tube is made by performing a rolling operation to form the grooves and ribs. Thereafter, the grooved tubes are punched to form the transverse slots in the base of the grooves.

Abstract: A self contained gas spring comprising a housing having a closed end and an open end, and a cylindrical bore. A cylindrical sleeve is inserted into the bore of the housing. The sleeve has at least a portion thereof forming an internal cylindrical surface. A piston rod has a piston within the cylindrical surface. The sleeve defines a space between the sleeve and the bore of the housing. This space communicates with the space of said cylindrical surface at the piston end of the piston rod. A charging valve is provided in the closed end of said housing for charging the space at the piston end of said piston rod and the space between the sleeve and the housing with gas under pressure. Preferably, the die cylinder includes sufficient volumetric space such that the pressures in the self contained gas spring do not increase substantially during the movement of the piston within the cylinder.

Abstract: A gas cylinder control system for use with machine systems such as die stamping systems that includes at least one gaseous fluid cylinder associated with the machine system, gaseous intensifier control cylinder normally operated in timed relation to the gaseous cylinder and a passage providing communication between the gaseous cylinder and the gaseous intensifier control cylinder. The gaseous intensifier cylinder operates at substantially higher pressure than the die cylinder. A normally closed control valve is provided in the passage and is operable to open the passage in time relation to the operation of the machine system in order to apply the higher gaseous pressure of the gaseous intensifier cylinder to the gaseous cylinder and lock the gaseous cylinder and prevent it from moving until the control valve is actuated to close the passage thereby providing a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting corrugated webs from a strip which is continuously formed to define undulating fins or corrugations extending transversely of the strip. The method and apparatus comprise periodically interrupting the movement of the corrugated strip, spreading a corrugation in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the strip and severing the corrugation at the spread corrugation and the apex of the corrugation. More specifically the corrugated strip is interrupted, the adjacent corrugations are moved longitudinally relative one another to locate the corrugation to be cut and a cutter is moved between the adjacent apices to cut the connecting oppositely disposed apex. In one form adjacent apices are engaged and spread apart. In another form, a finger engages a side of a corrugation to position the corrugation to be cut.

Abstract: A gas spring comprising a cylindrical body having a base wall and an integral side wall with an open upper end defining a bore. The bore includes a lower cylindrical portion and an upper cylindrical portion of greater diameter than the lower cylindrical portion defining a shoulder. A piston of constant diameter is positioned in the bore and has a radial flange on its lower end with a wear bearing contacting the lower portion of the bore. An annular retainer is positioned on the shoulder and is adapted to be engaged by the flange on the piston. An annular end cap is threaded in the upper cylindrical portion of the bore and maintains the retainer against the shoulder. An annular lock nut is threaded in the upper portion of the bore and locks the end caps in position. Circumferentially spaced radial openings are provided adjacent the periphery of the lock nut for venting gas during disassembly if any gas remains. A charging valve and a rupture plug including pressure relief disc are provided in the base wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting corrugated webs from a strip which is continuously formed to define undulating fins or corrugations extending transversely of the strip. The method and apparatus comprise periodically interrupting the movement of the corrugated strip, spreading a corrugation in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the strip and severing the corrugation at the spread corrugation and the apex of the corrugation. More specifically the corrugated strip is interrupted, the adjacent corrugations are moved longitudinally relative one another to locate the corrugation to be cut and a cutter is moved between the adjacent apices to cut the connecting oppositely disposed apex. In one form adjacent apices are engaged and spread apart. In another form, a finger engages a side of a corrugation to position the corrugation to be cut.

Abstract: A cut-off machine adapted to be positioned downstream from a source, such as a tube mill, for receiving a moving length of tube stock from the mill and severing plural predetermined lengths from the moving length. The machine comprises a plurality of cut-off assemblies that are reciprocated longitudinally of the moving length of material and operated during the movement of sever plural predetermined lengths. Each cut-off assembly comprises a cutter blade that is supported for movement in an arcuate path and for radial movement. A cam in the path of each blade is engaged by a cam follower movable with the blade to cause the blade to move in a straight line transversely of the flattened tubing while severing the tube length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming core assemblies comprising supporting a plurality of flattened tubes in horizontally spaced relationship, applying forces to the ends of the tubes to align the tubes, interposing undulating fins between adjacent tubes, providing a stop for holding the ends of the tubes at one end in alignment, retracting the force on the opposite ends of the tubes applying a compacting force to the array tubes and undulating fins transversely of the tubes by applying forces to end plates, applying a force to a header plate to force the opposite ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate, applying a deforming force to the opposite ends of the tubes against the outer surface of the header plate to move any unaligned tubes into alignment with the remainder of the tubes against the stop, retracting the stop, applying a force to another header plate to force the one ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate and applying a deforming force to the one ends of the tubes onto

Abstract: A web handling apparatus for supplying material to a metal forming machine wherein an uncoiler unit is mounted on a frame to draw metal web from a coil. A pivot support is mounted on the frame and supports a dancer arm with a track roller assembly. The dancer arm is pivoted to the roller assembly at one end and is connected to a pivot support at the other end in a manner such that the arm is capable of relative movement axially with respect to the pivot. Movement of the track roller assembly is limited to a vertical path by a pair of vertical tracks on the frame. The pivot support is connected to a rotary transducer for controlling the speed of drive rolls which regulate the delivery of metal web into the metal forming machine.