Abstract: A cylindrical helical seamed metal tube wherein the seam thereof is at an angle of between 1 and 25 degrees with respect to the axis of the tube. A method of making the tube comprises the steps of continuously feeding the metal strip into a tubing former to form the metal strip into a helical tube with the leading and trailing edges juxtaposed, the feeding such that the strip longitudinal axis is at a substantially constant acute angle with respect to the tube longitudinal axis of between 1 and 25 degrees. After the tube is substantially formed, applying pressure on at least the leading edge, leading portion, trailing edge and trailing portion in the direction of the cylindrical wall such that same substantially conform to the cylindrical wall. The juxtaposed leading and trailing edges are fused together to form a fused seam, and maintained in a juxtaposed position until the seam cools sufficiently to maintain the juxtaposed position. An apparatus for making the tube is also provided.

Abstract: A wire-spiralling machine continuously produces a tubular structure comprising a spiral winding, particularly a pressure-armor layer, from two noninterlocking wires of large cross section delivered from two reels of wire and two locking wires delivered from two reels of locking wire. A motorized rotating circular cage carries the four reels of wire and locking wire at its rear, while the downstream face of the cage supports, on two adjustable-inclination plates, two on-board twin-track caterpillars for dragging the wire. These caterpillars are arranged just upstream of guide and/or bend rolls leading the wires towards their respective lay point.

Abstract: A pipe formed from a continuous, cold rolled, lock seam quality, sheet steel, having a spiral rib. The pipe may be protected by an abrasion or corrosion resistant coating. The pipe is normally used for storm drains, culverts, sewer lines or HVAC. A closed spiral rib formed in the pipe wall adds strength to the wall, while maintaining a smooth inner wall that promotes exceptionally good fluid flow. The pipe has a smooth interior surface with outwardly projecting structural ribs of helical configuration throughout the length of the pipe.

Abstract: A machine for spirally forming pipes that is readily transportable to various locations. The machine is mounted to the surface of a conventional tractor-trailer arrangement and includes an uncoiler assembly with a structural extension arrangement for transferring coils from delivery vehicles. The uncoiler assembly is pivotably mounted to allow for rotational travel to meet with coil delivery vehicles. Sheet material is uncoiled and fed to the spiral forming assembly by an assembly of cylindrical rollers with rotational energy provided by internal combustion engine. The spiral forming assembly is pivotably mounted with motorized connection and programmable control for helix angle and third set of rollers adjustment. The spiral forming assembly and the assembly of cylindrical rollers are mounted with bases of minimal height for stability. An internal combustion engine driven cut off assembly is mounted directly to the spiral forming assembly to cut off pipes as they are produced.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing a double-walled structure, such as a silencer for use in a ventilation duct system, use is made of an arrangement having a forming head for forming helically-wound lock-seam tubing. In the forming head, a perforated metal strip is helically wound together with an air-permeable cloth strip such that the tubing fed out of the forming head has an outer cover of said cloth. The tube assembly consisting of the perforated tube and the cloth cover is provided with an outer tubular layer of insulating material and then inserted in a casing which makes the silencer complete.

Abstract: A pipe cutter having dual outer knives and a method of using the same is disclosed. The outer knives are mounted on knife positioners capable of swinging the outer knives into a pipe in an arc to overlap with a knife positioned inside the pipe. The method includes the step of simultaneously swinging the outer knives into a continuously rotating pipe in an arc having a rotational direction opposite the rotational direction of the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe formed from a continuous, cold rolled, lock seam quality, sheet steel, having a spiral rib. The pipe may be protected by an abrasion or corrosion resistant coating. The pipe is normally used for storm drains, culverts, sewer lines or HVAC. A closed spiral rib formed in the pipe wall adds strength to the wall, while maintaining a smooth inner wall that promotes exceptionally good fluid flow. The pipe has a smooth interior surface with outwardly projecting structural ribs of helical configuration throughout the length of the pipe.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a machine for forming helical lock-seam tubing. The machine includes rollers for forming flanges on edges of laterally staggered overlapped strips, a forming head for forming the strips into a helical configuration, rollers for clinching the flanges into locking engagement, reels for supplying the strips, and structure for guiding the strips from the reels to the forming rollers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming and cutting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe and a second knife positioned outside of the pipe. A support sleeve is also positioned outside of the pipe and is in a fixed radial position with respect to the pipe. The inner and outer knives and the support sleeve move axially with the pipe as the pipe is severed.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously cutting and notching a pipe includes an upper knife assembly having a pipe cutting knife and notch cutting knives with cutting edges adjacent a surface of the pipe and a lower knife assembly having a pipe cutting knife and notch cutting knives with cutting edges adjacent an opposite surface of the pipe. A method for cutting and notching a pipe includes stopping the axial and rotational movement of a pipe and moving the lower knife assembly into an overlapping relation with the upper knife assembly. The notch cutting knives are also moved into a cutting position and the axial and rotational pipe movement is resumed.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing helically-wound lock-seem tubing from a metal strip having longitudinal edge portions, the strip is fed to a forming head and formed into helical shape. A lubricant is locally supplied on that side of the strip which forms the outside of the tube, said lubricant being supplied over only a limited portion of the width of the strip.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus usable in a machine having a forming head for helically winding a metal strip into a helically wound metal tubing and for issuing the helically wound metal tubing along a defined path. The apparatus includes a first mounting for supporting the forming head, and a carriage guided and longitudinally movable along the first mounting in a direction of travel parallel to the defined path. A cantilever boom has one end mounted to a first end of the carriage and a free end opposite to the one end. The boom extends generally parallel to the direction of travel. A cutting blade is connected to the free end of the cantilever boom and extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the direction of travel. A second mounting is guided with the carriage and is extendible in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel. A rotary shaft is carried by the second mounting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a pipe includes first knife means having a cutting edge adjacent a surface of the pipe and second knife means having a cutting edge adjacent an opposite surface of the pipe. To cut the pipe, the first knife means is moved into an overlapping relation with the second knife means such that a first portion of the pipe is cut, the first knife means is retracted and rotated about the axis of the pipe into a position adjacent a second uncut portion thereof, and the first knife means is again moved into an overlapping relation with the second knife means such that a second portion of the pipe is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting spirally formed pipe is disclosed. The pipe cutting apparatus has an inner knife positioned inside a pipe and an annular outer knife positioned outside the pipe. The inner knife moves from an inner position within the pipe to an outer position where the knife contacts an interior surface of the pipe during the cutting operation. The inner knife also revolves in an annular pattern about the centerline of the pipe such that a cutting edge of the inner knife contacts the entire interior periphery of the pipe during the cutting operation. The annular outer knife has a cutting edge adjacent an exterior surface of the pipe. The outer knife cutting edge surrounds the pipe and is in a position to overlap the inner knife cutting edge. The inner and outer knives move in the axial direction of the pipe during the cutting operation, and the inner knife cooperates with the outer knife to cut the pipe.

Abstract: The pipe winding apparatus includes a stationary cage formed by rods between two rings. The speciality is that at least a number of the cage rods is located oblique between the rings by the pitch of the strip to be wound helically and is driven such that the strip to be wound can be fed at a right angle against the driven rods. This allows an optimal utilization of the frictional forces between the strip and the rods and to wind the pipe by the drive of the rods and to advance the pipe produced thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and slitting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes an enclosed forming head and a mandrel. A continuous strip of metal is driven around the mandrel and inside a lateral bore in the forming head in a helical manner. First and second rollers mounted in the forming head partially form a spiral lockseam. A third roller mounted in the upper portion of the forming head closes the spiral lockseam. The mandrel is both rotatable and pivotable. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe. This knife is mounted at the endd of a rotatable boom, that extends through the mandrel and is positioned inside of the spiral pipe. A second rotatable knife is positioned outside of the pipe. A rotatable support roller is also positioned outside of the pipe, and opposite the outer knife.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for producing helically-seamed pipes of any cross-sectional shape. The pipe is produced from a flat strip of material marked at intervals that are a derivative of the circumference of the pipe. At least two sensors are arranged at check points along a paraxial line in order to identify any deviation of the marks from the axis and to generate mark-recognition signals. If the signals are emitted simultaneously, the circumference is constant, and if there is a time differential between the signals, correction is needed.

Abstract: A bellows pipe construction and method for manufacturing are disclosed wherein helically wound coils of logitudinally corrugated strip are joined with an interlocking seam. Thereafter, the interlocking seam is deformed to position the edges of the strip in substantial parallelism with the axis of the pipe. The resulting pipe can be extended or shortened for installation and will further adjust and accommodate ground movement without substantial loss of strength.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the ends of flexible pipe sections is adapted for mounting on a machine for winding flexible pipe from steel bands. The pipe forming machine includes multiple pairs of roller dies for profiling a flat metal band to a configuration with flanges on leading and trailing edges of the band. The profiled band is wound on a mandrel and the adjacent flanges of respective bindings interlock as the profiled band is spiral-wound on the mandrel. The crimping apparatus is mounted upstream of the mandrel and receives the profiled band. The crimping apparatus includes a pair of roller arm assemblies each mounting a roller die. The roller arm assemblies are interconnected by a toggle linkage mechanism which is connected to a linear actuator for moving the roller arm assemblies between engaged positions for compressing the flanges to non-interlocking configurations and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for flattening irregular circumferential surfaces in spirally formed pipe and for cutting such pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pipe surface flattening assembly and a rotating knife assembly. The pipe surface flattening assembly includes an upper roller and a lower roller which are brought into flattening contact with the surface of the pipe in the area to be cut. The rollers move axially with the pipe and cooperate with an inner roller located inside the pipe to flatten any raised surface irregularities on the inside and outside surface of the pipe as the pipe rotates between the rollers. The rotating knife assembly includes an inner knife located inside the pipe and an outer wire positioned outside the pipe. A rotatable support roller is positioned outside the pipe, and opposite the outer knife. To cut the pipe, the outer knife punctures the pipe in the area previously flattened. The outer knife overlaps the inner knife and the support roller abuts the opposite side of the pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing helically-seamed tubing from a strip-like profiled blank (11a), in which machine the strip-like profiled blank is guided to travel under positive guidance into a tubular shape (11) (FIG. 2) over a distance corresponding to the pitch of a helical seam, whereupon the edges of the profiled blank brought into jointing contact are seamed together by using at least two seaming rolls (15, 16) one of which (15) is inside the tube (11) being formed and the other (16) outside it. In the machine the positive guidance of the profiled blank (11a) is accomplished by a loop, adjustable in size and formed of a chain-type traction member (14), inside which loop the strip-like profiled blank (11a) is adapted to be positively fed. One of the traction members (14) constituting the loop is attached to a rocker (22) (FIG. 3a, 3b), which rocker (22) is provided with an adjusting member or adjusting members (29) for guiding the profiled blank (11a) to the point of seaming.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and slitting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes an enclosed forming head and a mandrel. A continuous strip of metal is driven around the mandrel and inside a lateral bore in the forming head in a helical manner. First and second rollers mounted in the forming head partially form a spiral lockseam. A third roller mounted in the upper portion of the forming head closes the spiral lockseam. The mandrel is both rotatable and pivotable. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe. This knife is mounted at the end of a rotatable boom, that extends through the mandrel and is positioned inside of the spiral pipe. A second rotatable knife is positioned outside of the pipe. A rotatable support roller is also positioned outside of the pipe, and opposite the outer knife.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for storing and dispensing elongate flat strip material for use with rotating machinery, such as that used to produce helically wound interlocked flexible pipe. The strip material is fed from an external payoff or supply reel and guided by an inlet guide roller to feed the advancing strip tangentially onto a series of storage guide rollers which are spaced from each other about a circular path concentric with the machine axis. The strip is maintained under tension and is wound onto the storage guide rollers to provide a reservoir of strip material arranged in a single row of substantially circular overlappping convolutions concentrically arranged about the machine axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting spirally formed pipe is disclosed. This apparatus has two knives mounted on a boom to be positioned inside of the pipe. The inner knives have cutting edges that are adjacent the inner pipe surface and point in opposite directions. Two knives are also positioned outside of the pipe. Each outer knife is positioned opposite of one of the inner knives. The outer knives are continuously reciprocated toward and away from their respective opposed inner knife. The reciprocating outer knives are maintained in a position clear of the pipe while the spiral pipe is formed. The reciprocating outer knives are moved to a cutting position where their cutting edges move into and out of an overlapping relationship with the cutting edges of their respective inner knives to cut the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for making helically wound interlocked flexible pipe includes a rotating head mounted for rotation about a main shaft. Two supply spools of strip material are mounted on the rear side of the rotating head, a take off guide beam assembly being used to take off flat strip material from one of the spools, and guiding it to the rotating head. The rotating head is mounted on the main shaft for rotation therewith and supports a tool head assembly including a roller forming mill for forming the strip material. The strip is guided from a point behind the rotating head to a point in front of or downstream from the rotating head along the shaft. A face plate assembly, which supports the pressure rollers for closing and interlocking the successively adjacent turns of the formed strip, is axially spaced from the tool head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a non-rotating helix of metal strip. The apparatus includes a store for the strip rotatable about the axis of the helix. The store has a radially inwardly facing circumferential opening from which the strip is withdrawn by guide shoes which are also rotatable about the axis of the helix but at a different rotational speed to that of the store so that the difference in diameter of the strip on leaving the store and entering the helix is accommodated. The guide shoes deliver the strip to guide rollers rotating with the guide shoes by which the strip is guided in a spiral to non-rotating helix-forming shoes from which the coils of the helix are delivered in an axial direction.

Abstract: A method of making interlocked metal tube from a strip of the metal of generally S-shaped cross-section by which the shaped strip is formed into a helix without interengaging adjacent coils of the helix, passing the helix without rotation through a rotating driving means to move the non-rotating helix axially, interengaging adjacent coils of the helix and then performing an operation to prevent subsequent disengagement of the adjacent coils, thereby to form an interlocked metal tube. The driving means for the helix is a rotatably-driven mandrel around which the open helix is placed. The mandrel has intermediate its ends a radially-outwardly extending integral portion in which there is a helical passageway forming a tunnel through which the helix is passed and from which the helix is delivered to move without rotation axially along the remainder of the mandrel.

Abstract: A muffler for use on an internal combustion engine includes an enclosure generally cylindrical and having end plates for closing the internal volume of the enclosure, at least one partition plate for dividing the internal volume of the enclosure into at least two chambers, an inlet tube, supported by one of said end plates and at least one partition plate, for conducting combustion gases supplied from the engine to one of the chambers; an outlet tube, supported by the other of the end plates and at least one partition plate, for blowing out the gases from remaining one of the chambers; and a connecting tube supported by said at least one partition plate for interconnecting the volume of adjacent ones of the chambers. At least two of the inlet, outlet and connecting tubes are integrally made of a single sheet of metal shaped to form a combination tube including the at least two tubes. A method of manufacturing such a combination tube is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the leading edge of continuously produced spiral pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes upper and lower passive crimping rollers, which are rotatably mounted adjacent each other in a holder. The holder is carried by a guide rail system which slides in the axial direction of the spirally moving pipe. The holder and rollers are rotated between a down position, where the continuously produced pipe will move freely over the crimping apparatus, and an up position where the leading edge of the pipe will pass between the upper and lower crimping rollers. When the crimping apparatus is in the up position and the leading edge of the pipe is between the crimping rollers, the lower roller is raised until the rollers cooperate to crimp the leading edge of the pipe. The spirally moving pipe will exert a force on these rollers, which causes the guide means, which carries the rollers, to move axially with the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting hollow, metal, spirally formed pipes is disclosed. The apparatus uses two passive, rotatable knife blades to cut the pipe. An upper knife blade is positioned inside the pipe so that its cutting edge is adjacent to the inner pipe surface. A lower knife blade is positioned outside of the pipe so that its cutting edge is adjacent to the cutting edge of the upper knife blade in the lateral direction, but is clear of the pipe and upper knife blade in the longitudinal direction. To cut the pipe the lower knife blade is raised until its cutting edge overlaps the cutting edge of the upper knife blade. The knife blades then puncture the pipe. The pipe is rotated through the overlapping blades to completely cut the pipe. Since the pipe moves spirally (i.e., it moves forward while it rotates), the knife blades are adapted to move in the direction of the pipe during the cutting process. This permits the overlapping knife blades to cut the pipe rectangularly.

Abstract: Apparatus for helically curling longitudinally corrugated thin strip material into a flexible corrugated tube has a curling unit with driven input rollers forming a nip that matches the strip, and a cassette for a reel of the material which is connected to said unit and has strip guide rollers immediately adjacent the input rollers. The curling unit has driven output rollers on an upright support to drive the strip, and a spider which is vertically adjustable on the support and carries strip guide rollers which are on spindles equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the forming tube, and radially adjustable, so that adjustment of the spider on the support and the spindles on the spider permits the unit to form tubes of different diameters. A locking mechanism intermittently crimps overlapping parts of the forming tube. A bending device aids in forming relatively stiff strip stock, and also aids in forming softer stock into very small diameter tubes.

Abstract: A machine for forming helically wound pipes from a strip (15), having interengaging means on its longitudinal edges, in which a series of rollers (2 and 3) is positioned to form an annulus of rollers (2 and 3) arranged to curve the strip (15) to a helical form within the annulus with the edges of the strip (15) overlapping and means (18, 19) to press the interchanging means on the overlapping edges together to form a pipe (5), in which a pair of feed rollers (16, 17) remote from the means to press (18, 19) controls the rate of feed of the strip (15) to maintain the strip (15) between the feed rollers (16, 17) and the means to press (18, 19) in tension. A modification drives all of the rollers of the annulus synchronously.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a continuous tubular structure of helically wound interlocked metal strip. The metal strip is fed to forming rollers, from a reel of the strip and which are mounted on the same side of a circular plate which is rotated about a horizontal axis to wind the strip, which is shaped by the rollers, prior to winding, around a mandrel. A plurality of pressure rollers positioned around the mandrel interlock and compress the profiled strip. The mandrel is driven in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the plate. A rotatable support assembly downstream of the mandrel tightens and clamps the windings. A longitudinal extraction mechanism downstream from the support assembly restrains the tubular structure from rotating and feeds the formed structure to a receiving reel.

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing spiral seam piping from strip metal, using a set of three forming rolls consisting of a large number of individual bending rollers, the bending rollers acting on the inside of the pipe being arranged on a roller carrier which is capable of adjustment, the roller carrier (22) is controlled and driven in order to tilt it laterally by the use of a parallelogram control arm system (23) with two control arms (25, 26) arranged in a first control circle plane (24a) and one control arm (27) arranged in a second control circle plane (24b), at least one control circle adjuster (28, 29) associated with a control circle plane (24a, 24b), a link rod (31) acting in the direction of the pipe centerline (30), a lifting device (33) pivoted at the end (32) of the roller carrier (22), and a height-adjustable mounting (34) with a joint plate (36) carried in a bearing in the central portion of the roller carrier (22), a double lever (37) and a lifting device (38).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical billet having a predetermined length useable as raw material for producing a pipe. This method is practiced by way of the steps of drawing a cast slab from a casting mold on a continuous casting stand, spirally winding or cylindrically bending it around a rotating mandrel, joining together both end faces of the wound or bent cast slab to a cylindrical body and cutting it to a predetermined length. Two or more cast slabs may be used for forming the cylindrical body. Two rectangular cast slabs may be used as starting material which are subjected to roll forming and thereafter are cut to the predetermined length. They are then press worked to form a recess having a semi-circular cross-sectional configuration whereby a cylindrical body is constituted by assembly thereof in a superimposed relation.

Abstract: First, an equation expressing the relationships among the equivalent of the subsurface residual stress at a given point of material strip before entering a spiral-pipe forming machine, the equivalent of the subsurface residual stress at the corresponding point of formed pipe, the dimensions of the material strip, the outside diameter of the pipe, and the normalized magnitude of ring opening in the pipe is established using their measured values. Then, the equivalents of the subsurface residual stresses are measured while the pipe is being manufactured, and the normalized magnitude of the ring opening in the pipe is indirectly determined from the above equation using the measured equivalents.

Abstract: The method of forming tubes from strip in which a complementary rib and groove are spaced apart to each extend longitudinally on the strip and oppositely facing on the said strip characterized by guiding the strip into a helical configuration to overlap the edges of the said strip, and pressing together the overlapping parts of the said strip while maintaining a differential pressure in the direction of feed to force the strip together under such differential pressure.

Abstract: In the manufacturing of a spiral pipe, there is first determined a maximum curvature which should be imparted to a strip of pipe forming material in order that a desired residual moment will be imparted to the finished pipe after the strip bent to the maximum curvature is allowed to spring back from the bent condition, which maximum curvature is determined based on the thickness, Young's modulus and yield stress of the strip, the desired curvature of the finished pipe, and the residual moment to be imparted to the finished pipe. By adjusting the position of three rows of forming rolls positioned at the apexes of a triangle, the flat strip is continuously bent into a spiral that has the thus determined maximum curvature.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for monitoring the diameter and length of a helical corrugated metal pipe while the pipe is being formed from a strip of corrugated sheet metal. The apparatus includes a sheet metal strip length sensor located on a corrugated helical metal pipe forming machine. A series of length sensors are located along a formed pipe axis and are responsive to presence or absence of the formed pipe at their locations. A digital computer receives information from the sensors and is connected to various peripheral devices. The process of monitoring the diameter and length of the pipe involves measuring sheet metal strip length, determining presence of formed pipe at the various length sensor locations, and determining pipe length and diameter as a function of sheet metal width and length of sheet metal strip used.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming flexible tubing wherein the apparatus provides a tube-forming mandrel adapted to form a continuous, reinforced, flexible tube from an indefinite length of a tape or ribbon of flexible material, together with an indefinite length of wire, which are wound and bonded together to form the tube. The mandrel includes a plurality of angularly disposed cylindrical rollers which are rotatably positioned adjacent each other, each roller being fixed at a given angular displacement with respect to the other and to the central axis of the mandrel, in order to establish the fixed skewed arrangement of a plurality of annular grooves formed in each roller, so as to allow the forming tube to advance axially along the rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for use in combination with a machine for corrugating a continuous strip of flat sheet material which prepares the sheet material for separation into sections after it has been corrugated. A platform is located upstream of the corrugating machine. The platform is intermittently advanced in the direction of travel and at the speed of the sheet material so that the platform is stationary relative to the sheet material. A scoring device is located on the platform. The scoring device moves across the width of the sheet material as the platform moves with the sheet material to form a spanwise weak point in the material. After the material passes through the corrugating machine, it can readily be separated into sections at the weak points formed in the material by the scoring device. Depth of scoring can be varied also so that substantial/total separation can also occur within the corrugator though it would not separate the flat strip before it entered the corrugator.

Abstract: A machine which forms pipe elbows and other curved conduits by spirally winding a thin strip of sheet metal. The machine includes spaced apart cutting rollers which are reciprocated toward and away from one another by cams in order to cut the strip into a series of interconnected gores having contoured edges. The contoured edges are progressively bent in a manner to interlock by sets of bending rollers that are reciprocated inwardly and outwardly by cams. The strip is spirally wound inside of a ring shaped winding shoe having dies which interlock the opposite edges of the strip. Crimping rollers act to firmly crimp together the interlocked edges to form an acme seam. Clutches permit the cams to be selectively stopped so that the conduit that is formed can be provided with both straight and curved portions.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of helically seamed tubing, including a number of preshaping roller pairs for a strip material and a folding roller pair, arranged to form a folded seam in the strip material while feeding it to a coiling and tube shaping tool, each roller pair being driven by a separate hydraulic motor arranged to drive one of the rollers, the second roller being driven by a cog wheel transmission from the first, the second roller being movable in relation to the first roller in the same roller pair and being spring loaded in the direction towards same the first. The hydraulic motors are connected to each other in series, thus driving the successive individual roller pairs with a successively reduced speed, each roller including at least one surrounding circumferential groove, into which semi-circular ring members having an outwardly extending portion, or a groove, at the outer peripheral surface, are insertable and attachable.

Abstract: A method of and device for producing multi-layer pipes by helically winding a plurality of bands loosely arranged one above the other, which are individually withdrawn from a supply, straightened out, trimmed, and in the form of a band loop are conveyed to the forming station at the respective angle of lead-in corresponding to the respective pipe diameter, whereupon the layers are together welded to form a pipe strand which is subsequently cut into individual pipes. All bands are supplied and advanced independently of the irregularities of the respective longitudinal band edge shape in steadily straight lead-in directions, and all band edges are machined together to a possible maximum width in coordination with each other whereupon the bands are driven together while the welding gap is controlled in conformity with their band edge shape merely by pivoting the pipe.

Abstract: A readily adjustable machine which continuously produces corrugated flexible metal tubing from very light gauge metal and of various diameters. A warping ring receives therewithin a longitudinally corrugated narrow strip of formable metal of light gauge and warps the same helically to produce convolutions by means of a helical warping surface which extends into one of the longitudinal corrugations. The size of the tube produced can be varied by merely substituting a warping ring of a different size. A uniquely shaped pair of die-forming rollers have lock-seam forming surfaces which are adjustable relative to each other to provide variation in the degree to which the seam will permit and withstand axial torque. The lock seam is constructed to be symmetrical about the neutral axis of the corrugation and about the slope line of the common corrugation leg of adjacent convolutions which it constitutes.

Abstract: Band making apparatus comprising a mandrel on which is wound wire of U-shaped cross-section with relatively inverted portions alternating longitudinally of the axis of the mandrel having a side edge interengaged in the channel of the other, has a guide for guiding the wire onto the mandrel provided with a guiding surface which engages the external surface of a side of the wire incoming to the mandrel, and the wire and mandrel are relatively rotated about the axis of the mandrel and reciprocated longitudinally of that axis at a controlled speed ratio such that the back pressure of previously wound turns maintains the incoming wire side against the guiding surface.

Abstract: A length of flexible metal piping includes an interlockably shaped metal band spirally formed into a plurality of winding groups wherein each group includes a plurality of interlocked windings. Each of the winding groups are connected to each other by at least one free winding wherein the leading portion of a first winding is separated from the leading portion of a corresponding subsequent winding and interlocking is prevented for at least one revolution. Each free winding, which constitutes one circumference of the piping, is formed by the insertion of a shaping tool into contact with the leading portion of the free winding prior to the point where this leading portion would normally interlock with the leading portion of a corresponding subsequent winding one revolution later. The shaping tool alters the cross-sectional arrangement of the metal band such that interlocking of that portion of this spiralling band which is contacted by the shaping tool is prevented.

Abstract: A truck on rails includes a vertically adjustable horizontally extending main beam supported at one end and having a plurality of auxiliary beams semi-circularly arranged thereabout parallel thereto and each connected thereto by a plurality of parallel levers of equal length each having a fulcrum on the main beam, being pivotally connected adjacent an outer end to its respective auxiliary beam, and being operatively connected adjacent an inner end to an actuating rod reciprocable by a hydraulic actuator for adjustment of the auxiliary beams radially of the main beam. The auxiliary beams are provided with rollers for engagement with the inside of a pipe, and those on the uppermost auxiliary beam are driven by a compressed-air motor to compensate for frictional drag imposed by the others on pipe being rotated in continuous production on a pipe making machine. When the pipe is cut to length, the truck transports the cut-off length to a storage or shipping area and returns to support another length being made.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming pipe from an elongated metal strip including a supply reel for the strip, an elongated tubular carrier, an axle at one end of the carrier for supporting the supply reel and edge-forming means for bending the edges of the strip to join them in a helical fashion to form the pipe wall. In one embodiment, the supply reel is supported at one end of the carrier and the strip is guided through the carrier and out through an opening near the other end. The carrier is supported for horizontal rotation. Near the opening there are guide rolls arranged in a helical path so that the strip emerges through the carrier, goes through the guide rolls, and then goes through the edge-forming devices including profiling and rabbeting rolls, also helically arranged. A motor is mounted at that end of the carrier and a chain drive from the motor drives the profiling and rabbeting rolls.

Abstract: Tapered spiral tube in continuous lengths is fabricated with an alternating increasing and decreasing diameter, the length being severed at the locus of change. The taper may be straight, convex or concave, the tube being produced from strip-stock which is squeezed between biassing rollers whereby one or other edge is thinned, and as a consequence lengthened and convexly curved. The entire fabricating process is automatic, being predetermined by templet means and monitored by feed-back measures felt by the tube while being fabricated.