Abstract: Two rotors cooperate to advance a rod of indefinite length continuously into an extrusion die. Portions of radially extending surfaces of the two rotors are utilized to grip the rod therebetween, in order to effect such advance of the workpiece rod upon the simultaneous rotation of the two rotors. An annular groove extends along the appropriate radially extending surface of one of the rotors. Such annular groove serves to retain the rod therein while guiding the rod along a path leading to the die. The face-to-face arrangement of the two rotors along their respective radially extending surfaces permits a very high extrusion pressure to be supported, while also allowing effective sealing of the annular groove at such very high extrusion pressure.

Abstract: Multiple elongated products are formed simultaneously from a single workpiece, coated with a lubricant or other fluent material, by forcing the workpiece against and through a die having multiple apertures. The apertures are so arrayed as to permit a relatively free flow of the coating material to each of the die apertures, including one or more generally central apertures. Preferred aperture configurations include straight line arrays and shallow curves, such as shallow "S"-shaped curves. The workpiece may advantageously correspond in general shape to that of the configuration of apertures in the die through which it is to be forced.

Abstract: A tape, which includes a number of parallel-extending, elongated wires of substantially circular cross-section, is formed by subjecting an elongated workpiece to two stages of deformation. In a first stage, the workpiece acquires an intermediate structure, in the form of a tape composed of a number of parallel-extending elongated elements, each having a cross-section which preferably includes a pair of diametrically opposed, substantially circular, arcuate portions. The cross-section of each elongated element also includes a non-circular, junction region converging toward the adjacent lateral edge of each adjacent elongated element. Each pair of adjacent elongated elements in the intermediate structure is joined together along the adjacent lateral edges, by two such junction regions, one included in each of the elongated elements of the pair. The contacting junction regions preferably meet one another along flat surfaces at approximately ninety degree angles.

Abstract: Apparatus for deforming a workpiece so as to produce an elongated product, which product may be composed of one or more articles and has an overall cross-sectional shape differing from that of the workpiece, includes a specially configured extrusion die. The die provides a wall surface which converges toward an entrance end of one or more die apertures, the wall surface having a shape selected to build up pressure smoothly and substantially uniformly within the material of the workpiece as the workpiece is forced against the wall surface, such that substantially all of the material of the workpiece first attains the overall cross-sectional shape of the product in substantially the same cross-sectional plane of the die at the entrance end of the die aperture or apertures, and such that redundant work is minimized. Examples of such a die, and an exemplary method of extrusion to form such a product, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for containing fluid at very high pressures is formed from an axially aligned array or stack of like, flexible, relatively thin, dished discs, i.e., Belleville springs. The discs are clamped together axially, so as to flatten them into a pressure vessel wall structure which is pre-stressed in hoop compression along a bore formed by the aligned inner peripheries of the discs, and in hoop tension along the aligned outer peripheries of the discs. Such pre-stress pattern is particularly well adapted to permit the pressure vessel to support very high fluid pressures within the pressure vessel bore. A liner tube may be located within the bore formed by the aligned inner peripheries of the discs, while any suitable end closing mechanisms, e.g., a die assembly and a piston, may be employed to close the axially opposite ends of the pressure vessel bore.

Abstract: An unpierced metallic billet of relatively large diameter is subjected to three successive stages of deformation so as to form a metallic tube of relatively small outer diameter. In a first stage, the billet is given a generally "C"-shaped cross-sectional configuration. In a second stage, the diameter of the generally "C"-shaped cross-section is reduced and, simultaneously, the ends of the generally "C"-shaped cross-section are guided toward and then into contact with one another. In a third stage, the contacting ends are welded together. The three stages of deformation take place in a single die through which the billet is continuously hydrostatically extruded, the hydrostatic extrusion process utilizing a deoxidizing, lubricating, shear transmitting medium in displacing the billet through the die.

Abstract: A bundle of hexagonal billets, each billet being coated with a shear transmitting medium, is extruded through one form of die having a plurality of hexagonal die apertures, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. The bundle may be extruded though another form of die having a single die aperture with a transverse cross-section registering with the transverse cross-section of the bundle, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. In each case, the billet material is advanced against and through the die by means of frictional or viscous drag force exerted along the surface of the billet material toward the die. The foregoing operations may also be applied to drawing.

Abstract: A reversible fluid device (motor/pump) of the sliding vane type, in which the vanes slide in radial slots formed through the cylindrical periphery of a rotor from side to side in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. Sliding of the vanes is effected by opposed complementary cam surfaces at either end of a cylindrical chamber within which the rotor rotates. The periphery of the rotor and a top edge of each vane, are maintained in constant sliding contact with the cylindrical chamber wall. Opposed edges of the vanes are in constant contact with the cam surfaces. Thus, as the rotor rotates, the vanes, rotor, chamber and cam surfaces define varying volume pressure cells. Selective pressurization of these cells via fluid conductors rotates the rotor (motor operation); rotation of the rotor selectively pressurizes the conductors (pump operation).

Abstract: Two hydraulic pressure intensifiers are coupled in parallel between a source of hydraulic fluid at relatively low pressure and an output path. Each intensifier provides a pressurizing stroke in only one direction of linear reciprocation. The intensifiers are so operated, under the control of a hydraulic circuit, as to create a tendency for an initial portion of the pressurizing stroke of each of the intensifiers to overlap a final portion of a preceding pressurizing stroke of the other intensifier, and thereby to deliver high pressure hydraulic fluid to the output path simultaneously with continuing delivery from such other intensifier. Such simultaneous delivery does not actually occur, however, since the hydraulic circuit is so arranged that the delivery of high pressure hydraulic fluid from each intensifier to the output line can begin only upon a falling off in the pressure provided by the other intensifier.

Abstract: Four trains of gripping element quadrants are advanced continuously around four endless paths, meeting along one length of travel common to the four paths and cooperating to form a succession of centrally apertured gripping elements moving continuously toward an extrusion die located along the common length of travel. The gripping element quadrants are driven by pinion gears, each of which engages simultaneously sets of teeth on gripping element quadrants in two adjacent trains in order to key the quadrants together and thereby prevent one quadrant from lagging another during their advance toward the die. Four guide elements extend along the paths of the gripping elements and engage simultaneously portions of the two adjacent gripping element quadrants to guide the engaged quadrants during their advance toward the die. Four endless belts are advanced with the gripping elements toward the die and serve to transmit pressure from four stationary pressure pads to the moving gripping elements.

Abstract: A bundle of hexagonal billets, each billet being coated with a shear transmitting medium, is extruded through one form of die having a plurality of hexagonal die apertures, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. The bundle may be extruded through another form of die having a single die aperture with a transverse cross-section registering with the transverse cross-section of the bundle, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. In each case, the billet material is advanced against and through the die by means of frictional or viscous drag force exerted along the surface of the billet material toward the die. The foregoing operations may also be applied to drawing.

Abstract: A chamber having a first end and a second end and receiving a billet having an aperture therethrough slidably receives through the first end a die. A mandrel slidably extends through the second end of the chamber into the aperture of the billet and has a conical section extending into the zone of deformation of the die. Hydraulic cylinders having piston rods operatively associated with the die and the mandrel advance the die into the chamber through the first end thereof against the billet end, and simultaneously and at the same velocity retract the mandrel from the second end of the chamber, the zone of deformation of the die and the conical section of the mandrel defining a converging annular passageway through which the billet is extruded to produce tubing.

Abstract: Billet material is extruded through a die having a plurality of die apertures thereby to produce simultaneously a plurality of extruded products such as wire. In one embodiment, the die has a conical mouth with a first die aperture at the apex thereof and with a plurality of radially equispaced second die apertures located forwardly of the first die aperture, the second die apertures having bevelled entries at the inlet ends thereof communicating with the conical mouth. In another embodiment, the die has multiple aperture groupings arranged therein, each grouping having a central die aperture and a plurality of peripheral die apertures radially equispaced about the central die aperture.

Abstract: Four trains of gripping element quadrants are continuously propelled around four endless paths, meeting along one length of travel common to the four paths and cooperating along said common length of travel to form a continuously moving train of centrally apertured gripping elements moving toward an extrusion die adjacent the end of said common length of travel. Rod of indefinite length, coated with shear transmitting medium and extending into the central apertures of the gripping elements, is drawn along the common length of travel by means of shear forces generated in said coating by said gripping elements and transmitted to said rod as viscous drag force along the surface of the rod. Axial and normal stresses are built up in the rod to stress the rod far above its yield strength and increase its ductility, or capacity for deformation without fracture. In this state, the rod is moved through and deformed by the die.

Abstract: A bundle of hexagonal billets, each billet being coated with a shear transmitting medium, is extruded through one form of die having a plurality of hexagonal die apertures, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. The bundle may be extruded through another form of die having a single die aperture with a transverse cross-section registering with the transverse cross-section of the bundle, to produce simultaneously a plurality of individual hexagonal wires. In each case, the billet material is advanced against and through the die by means of frictional or viscous drag force exerted along the surface of the billet material toward the die. The foregoing operations may also be applied to drawing.