Abstract: An apparatus for forming and sealing an adjustable duct member for use in an air handling system. At least one work station accommodates a tapered work piece. A repositionable die is positioned relative to the work piece, and a cutting and forming assembly cooperates with the repositionable die to cut the work piece and form a coupling bead to reconnect the members together. A sealing assembly cooperates with the first repositioning die to seal the coupling bead in the first and second members. The work station includes an insertion channel having predetermined dimensions to accommodate at least a portion of the work piece. A clamping assembly is associated with the insertion channel to securely hold the tapered work piece at the predetermined position during the cutting and forming and sealing operations.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow structural frame rail includes rotating a tube relative to a tool to reduce an outside diameter of the tube at predetermined positions along the length of the tube. An elastomeric insert is positioned within the tube. The tube is bent at a location containing the insert. The bent tube is hydroformed to define a finished shape of the frame rail.

Abstract: Provided are a seamless bent pipe constituted by a bent section and straight pipe sections on both ends of the bent section, with the inside diameter at each pipe end portion being larger than the inside diameter of the bent section, and a welded component comprising a seamless bent pipe and a seamless straight pipe at one or each end of the seamless bent pipe, with the end of the seamless straight pipe to be welded to one or each end of the seamless bent pipe having the same inside diameter as the inside diameter of the seamless bent pipe, as well as methods of manufacturing them. As a result, elements suited for use in pipelines can be obtained, without unnecessarily increasing the wall thickness of the seamless bent pipe and without internal machining of the pipe end portions of the seamless bent pipe after the manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections.

Abstract: A method and a device for bending a metal hollow thick walled member to a predetermined angle without deviation of the bending center position and without separation from a half die when presser die moves up. With a pair of guide plates (GP1 and GP2) turnably attached to a center pin CP kept horizontal and the axis center of the center pin intersecting with the axis center of the metal hollow thick walled member PM, the member PM is mounted on a half die (82a). When die holding members (80a and 80b) fixedly connected to the above guide plates and kept horizontal are inclined and separated from each other as the center pin lowers, the member PM is bent to the predetermined angle and held on the half die (82b). When the center pin that can be moved vertically by a guide member moves down to a predetermined position, a contact portion (96b) contacts the inclined surface of a stopper (92b) to allow a base plate (16) to receive a pressing force from an upper die via the stopper.

Abstract: A one-piece shaped aluminum or stainless steel half fitting for an insulated pipe. The method may include cutting a predetermined sized blank from material stock. A top and a corresponding bottom die may be installed into a press along with a matching press plate. The predetermined sized blank may then be inserted onto the press plate and aligned with locating marks on the press plate. Once the blank is installed properly into the press, the method may further include cooperatively bringing the top and bottom dies together to press the blank into a specifically shaped half fitting. When pressed, excess flange material may be created along the perimeter of the fitting shape and excess end portion material is created at end portions of the fitting shape. The top die may then be separated from said bottom die and the shaped half fitting may then be removed from the press. The method may further include trimming the excess flange material and excess end portion material from the shaped half fitting.

Abstract: In ventilation and air-conditioning technology, so-called spiral pipes have to be joined together in a tightly sealed manner at widely differing angles, which is generally carried out by segment bends and pipe sections. An improved, durable seal of folded-seam connections is achieved by a flange-like double fold which is arranged at a first pipe end and which is surrounded on the outside at least in part with positive locking and with a continuous metal seal, by a second double fold at the second pipe end.

Abstract: A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a flange coupling in which the height of a horizontal portion of an L-shaped pipe is made as small as possible. The present invention provides a flange coupling having a flange formed with an attaching bolt hole and a pipe connection hole and an L-shaped pipe installed in the pipe connection hole, wherein the L-shaped pipe is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and a horizontal portion of the L-shaped pipe is molded so that a lower face thereof is at the same level as or at the level close to a plane including the upper surface of the flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to pipe bend (1) for a pipeline used in the fluidic transport of solids and to a method for producing the pipe bend. The pipe bend (1) includes a double-layer pipe body (2) comprised of an inner pipe bend (3) and an outer pipe bend (4). A coupling collar (6) is fixed to each pipe end (5) of the pipe body (2). The annular gap (8) between the inner pipe bend (3) and the outer pipe bend (4) is filled with concrete as filler (9). The annular space (8) is filled via a fill opening (10) in the wall (11) of the inner pipe bend (3), with the fill opening extending transversely across the wall and arranged on the inner radius IRi of the inner pipe bend (3). Centering aids (12, 13) are hereby introduced into the ends of the pipe body (2), and the inner pipe bend (3) and the outer pipe bend (4) are positioned in relation to one another by the inflation of the centering aids (12, 13).

Abstract: An elbow rotator apparatus for rotating an integrally formed section of an elbow workpiece includes a pair of gripping arms which are selectively positionable in a first position displaced from the elbow workpiece, and a second position in which the gripping arms are in contact with the integral section of the elbow workpiece. A rotary actuator is operatively connected to the gripping arms to selectively rotate the gripping arms by a predetermined amount when the gripping arms are in the second position.

Abstract: A metal gas-feed tube for a head air bag automotive vehicle has a sleeve formed on a bent end thereof to fit onto a connecting fitting of a gas generator. That sleeve is formed in part from an unbent region of the tube by pressing a mandrel into the end of the tube which lies outside a die so that the rear end of the sleeve is formed from a bent portion while the free end is not subjected to bending deformation in the production of the bend.

Abstract: Installation for making elbows for draining rainwater, formed by execution of a series of external and internal welds on the superimposed edges of an assembled pair of elbow halves, causing said pair to slide around and along an arched bar between two projecting external and internal welding points, respectively connected to the first and second wires leading to a source of electric energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a duct member having a plurality of adjustable sections which are rotatable relative to one another. The apparatus and method causes relative rotation between individual sections during the manufacturing process, to form a completed duct member in an automated process utilizing a rotating head assembly comprising a plurality of engagement members extendable radially outward of the rotating head body in an engagement position and retractable radially inward to a disengagement position. Accordingly, a 90 degree adjustable elbow can be produced in its 90 degree elbow configuration without requiring the machine operator to manually adjust the adjustable sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas meter valve for connection to an outlet of a gas meter and a method for its use. The gas meter valve comprises a valve inlet coupleable to the meter outlet, a valve outlet coupleable to piping for supplying gas to a customer and a valve body coupled to the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The valve body includes a chamber for communicating gas from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and a valve assembly disposed in the chamber and adapted to prevent the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a first position and permit the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a second position. The gas meter valve further includes an actuating mechanism coupled to the valve assembly for positioning the valve assembly in the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molded fluoropolymer sweep elbows with straight ends while minimizing distortion of the fitting. The invention includes a mold for creating the sweep fittings of the invention. The mold includes a mold cavity block and internal coring. The internal coring includes two symmetrical cores that shut off at a 45° miter. Each of the symmetrical cores is divided into two parts, an outside sweep core and an inside sweep core. The outside sweep core and the inside sweep core are divided on a straight plane running the length of the core. The outside sweep core molds half of the straight lumen and the greater curvature at the outside sweep surface of the bend. The inside sweep core molds the other half of the straight bore and the lesser curvature of the inside or undercut portion of the bend.

Abstract: An elbow rotator apparatus for rotating an integrally formed section of an elbow workpiece includes a pair of gripping arms which are selectively positionable in a first position displaced from the elbow workpiece, and a second position in which the gripping arms are in contact with the integral section of the elbow workpiece. A rotary actuator is operatively connected to the gripping arms to selectively rotate the gripping arms by a predetermined amount when the gripping arms are in the second position.

Abstract: A method for producing a cylindrical flange for the end of an air duct is produced by compressing a panel by differing amounts to cause the panel to take on an arcuate cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A high-pressure bulge-forming apparatus has a multipart die having a cavity adapted to receive a hollow workpiece and having ends oppositely open along an axis. Respective actuators aligned with the cavity ends have stems extending axially toward the cavity. Respective heads on the ends are engageable in the cavity with ends of the workpiece. One of the stems and the respective head is formed with a passage opening axially into the workpiece engaged by the respective head. Fasteners releasable secure the heads on the stems. Each head comprises an end part with an inwardly tapered outer surface and a base part fixed to the respective stem and carrying the respective head. In addition each head has a normally annular mounting plate between the respective base part and end part.

Abstract: A meter loop frame assembly for connecting a gas meter to a gas supply line and a gas service line. The meter loop frame assembly includes a gas inlet conduit, a gas outlet conduit, and a brace. The gas inlet conduit is shaped and oriented such that the gas supply line is connectable to a second end of the gas inlet conduit at a location on the rear side of the gas meter and substantially vertically aligned with the centerline of the gas meter so that a pressure regulator of the gas supply line is substantially obstructed from view from a position on the front side of the gas meter.