Abstract: Apparatus for fluid filling and pressurizing a tube having a high pressure-low flow fluid circuit in the form of a shaft having a longitudinal bore communicating with a high pressure fluid source, a tube seal device adjacent the forward end of the shaft for sealing the tube when the shaft is engaged with the tube and high pressure fluid flows into the tube, and a device for reciprocating the shaft to advance and retract the shaft toward and away from the tube. A high flow low pressure circuit has a shroud for housing the forward end of the shaft when retracted and a rearward opening slidably and sealably engaging the shaft rearward of the tube seal device. The interior of the shroud communicates with a high flow-low pressure fluid source for sealing an external surface adjacent an end of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling a tube with fluid and for pressurizing the tube, in order to expand and form it within a die for example. The apparatus provides a high flow-low pressure fluid circuit for quickly filling and draining the tube, together with a separate high pressure-low flow fluid circuit for pressurizing and depressurizing the tube. The high pressure circuit of the apparatus comprises a shaft having a longitudinal bore communicating with a high pressure fluid source and control means; tube sealing means adjacent the forward end of the shaft for sealing the tube when the shaft is engaged with the tube and high pressure fluid flows into the tube; and shaft reciprocating means for advancing and retracting the shaft.