Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for isostatically bulge forming tube stock. The tube is assembled in sealing arrangement with a split die. The assembly is placed in a pressure vessel wherein an non-compressible fluid is pressurized to form the tube into the die cavities. Because the force on the tooling is compressive in nature, relatively low strength, low cost tools may be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-die piercing of a tube as it is hydroformed creates a sharp edged, non countersunk hole, while sealing against pressurized fluid loss and ejecting the slug cleanly from the apparatus. A sharp edged die button inset into one of a pair of die blocks includes a hole shaped cutting edge surrounded by a compliant face seal flush with the cavity between the die blocks. A plunger is slidable within a central bore in the die button from a closed position flush with the cutting edge to a partially retracted pierce position, and finally to a further retracted ejection position. An ejection chute in the same die block opens into the bore at one end, at a point between the pierce and ejection positions of the plunger, and also opens at the other end out of the die block. The plunger is sealed relative to the die button bore. The plunger is retained in closed position until the tube is fully hydroformed to final shape, and the outer surface of the tube engages the face seal.

Abstract: A method for generating an underliquid shock pressure comprises the steps of igniting a combustible mixture gas to form detonation waves, imploding the detonation waves in their advancing direction, propagating a pressure obtained by imploding the detonation waves to a liquid, and converting the pressure to an underliquid pressure which is applied to a workpiece. The pressure obtained by imploding the detonation waves may be applied directly to an elastic rubber body, thus converting the pressure to an underelastomer shock pressure, which is then applied to the workpiece via the elastic body.

Abstract: A method of sizing a sleeve of electrically conductive material includes the steps of inserting the sleeve in a die having a seamless inner surface, positioning a magnetic coil inside the sleeve in the die, and sealing the die after the insertion of the sleeve and the positioning of the magnetic coil. A vacuum is created inside the die to avoid air pockets between the outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the die and the magnetic coil is energized to create a magnetic field to expand the sleeve against the inner surface of the die. The process may also be used to form a composite sleeve having an outer layer of material unresponsive to the magnetic field and an inner layer of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method for generating an underliquid shock pressure comprises the steps of igniting a combustible mixture gas to form detonation waves, imploding the detonation waves in their advancing direction, propagating a pressure obtained by imploding the detonation waves to a liquid, and converting the pressure to an underliquid pressure which is applied to a workpiece. The pressure obtained by imploding the detonation waves may be applied directly to an elastic rubber body, thus converting the pressure to an underelastomer shock pressure, which is then applied to the workpiece via the elastic body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sizing preferably small diameter sleeves, wherein the method comprises the steps in any effective order of: (a) providing an electrically conductive sleeve and a die; (b) positioning a portion of the sleeve in the die; (c) positioning a portion of an electrically conductive member inside the sleeve; (d) forming a direct electrical connection between the sleeve and the member; and (e) creating a magnetic field to expand the sleeve.

Abstract: The bolt insertion apparatus includes a driver which is partially contained within an interior volume defined by an inner cylindrical sleeve which is secured at its front end to a forward mass portion of the apparatus. An actuator coil is also positioned within the interior volume for electromagnetic actuation of the driver. An outer cylindrical sleeve includes a recoil mass at the rear end thereof, with the coil extending forwardly from the recoil mass into the interior volume of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is movable longitudinally relative to the inner sleeve. A spacer element is selectively removable between a forward end of the apparatus and a clamp-up nosepiece member. The apparatus is initially positioned such that there is a gap between a tool on the end of the driver and the head of the bolt. The collar-swaging apparatus includes a driver element mounted for longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a longitudinally movable trocar detachably secured by one or more retainer clips on a hollow shaft of the anvil. When the trocar is retracted, the anvil shaft slides into a central support tube which aligns the anvil axially and circumferentially with a staple holder on the stapling head assembly. The retainer clips are locked against the trocar by the support tube and transmit tension from the trocar to the anvil with no tension load on the anvil shaft.

Abstract: A press is described using piezoelectric actuators to achieve both the hold down of the work piece during the processing operation as well as powering the die used in deforming the work piece. The sub-assembly containing the piezoelectric element is structured to allow convenient removal from the main body of the press thereby facilitating repair operations, as well as coarse and fine adjusting facilities for the position of the piezoelectric element within the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a sheet material by drawing it into a die cavity (12) utilizing the flow of a viscous thermoplastic polymer medium extruded against the sheet (22) and/or extruded out of said die cavity (12) through a plurality of passageways, (14a), (14b), and (14c) and programmably varying said extrusion of said medium to cause the sheet material to be controllably stretched into the cavity and shaped.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of bulging at least a portion of a sidewall of a drawn or drawn and ironed aluminum container body. The method involves an initial thermal treatment step prior to bulging. The thermal treatment is provided to that portion of the sidewall of the container that is to be bulged and is sufficient to reduce the yield strength of that portion of the sidewall about 20% without substantially adversely affecting the yield strength of the bottom wall of the container. After thermal treatment, at least a portion of the thermally treated sidewall is bulged at a circumferential strain greater than about 5% to provide container shape.

Abstract: A power supply for use with an electromagnetic force system used for dent removal or proof load testing, wherein the power supply includes slow and fast current pulse systems. The slow current pulse system includes a capacitor bank which is charged up to 1000 volts, while the fast current pulse system includes a capacitor bank which is charged up to 10k volts. Control switches are provided for each system which result in discharge of the respective capacitor banks into a work coil adjacent the workpiece at selected times. A crowbar circuit is provided across the coil, and is triggered following discharge of the fast current pulse system. The crowbar circuit includes a series connection of several diodes to block the high negative reverse voltage and an SCR to block the low forward voltge, the SCR being triggered at the selected time to initiate conduction of the crowbar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the high energy rate forming of metal. A mold (11) of cage-like construction and of the shape to which the sheet metal is to be formed is lined with sheet metal and a liquid medium. A number of explosive charges are then placed at strategic locations within the liquid medium and detonated, causing deformation of the sheet metal and taking up by the metal of the shape defined by the mold. The mold is normally buried in a pit and supported therein during the deformation process. The cage-like structure of the mold enables air trapped between the sheet metal and the mold to escape during the deformation process. A method of forming boat hulls using this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic dent remover having a tapped work coil (36) is provided. A first current pulse, I.sub.S, is applied to an inner and outer coil (48 and 46) to produce an electromagnetic field that exerts a repelling force on a conductive part (24). A second current pulse, I.sub.F, having a polarity opposite that of the I.sub.S current pulse and a rise time shorter than that of the I.sub.S pulse, is applied to the inner coil (48), which collapses the electromagnetic field associated with the inner coil (48) and causes a pulling force to be exerted on the part (24) by the inner coil (48). The work coil (36) is positioned over a dent in the conductive part (24) so that the pulling force produced by the inner coil (48) is concentrated on the dent and pulls the dent from the part (24). Simultaneously, the pulling force is counteracted by the repelling force produced with the outer coil (46). The repelling force stabilizes the part ( 24) to facilitate the removal of the dent.

Abstract: A process, system, and improvement for a process for electromagnetic forming of a workpiece in which characteristics of the workpiece such as its geometry, electrical conductivity, quality, and magnetic permeability can be determined by monitoring the current and voltage in the workcoil. In an electromagnet forming process in which a power supply provides current to a workcoil and the electromagnetic field produced by the workcoil acts to form the workpiece, the dynamic interaction of the electromagnetic fields produced by the workcoil with the geometry, electrical conductivity, and magnetic permeability of the workpiece, provides information pertinent to the physical condition of the workpiece that is available for determination of quality and process control. This information can be obtained by deriving in real time the first several time derivatives of the current and voltage in the workcoil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the superplastic forming of a workpiece are disclosed. The invention comprises securing the workpiece within a die assembly located within an autoclave. The die assembly is of a type suitable for use in the superplastic fabrication of workpieces. The die assembly includes a lid, a die and first and second sealing mechanisms. The first sealing mechanism seals a first volume formed between the lid and the workpiece from a main volume of the autoclave. The second sealing mechanism is for sealing a second volume formed between the workpiece and the die from the main volume of the autoclave. The second volume has a backpressure, P.sub.b. The first volume has a pressure P.sub.f +P.sub.b where P.sub.f is the forming pressure for achieving superplastic forming of the workpiece. The main volume of the autoclave has a pressure, P.sub.m. The back pressure, P.sub.b is established so as to minimize grain boundary cavitation. A minimal pressure differential .DELTA.P=P.sub.m -P.sub.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body. This method comprises the steps of retaining at least a first portion of the metallic body, disposing a coil of electrically conductive material inside the metallic body, and energizing the coil to create an electromagnetic force sufficient to expand at least a portion of the generally cylindrical sidewalls of the metallic body outwardly of the original generally cylindrical shape. During such expansion, a fluid is introduced between the coil and the inside surfaces of the container to maintain positive gauge pressure as the sidewalls expand. This invention also provides an apparatus for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the rapid generation of high hydrostatic pressures and the concurrent delivery of said pressures to a workpiece. The apparatus and methods comprise the rapid thermal expansion and vaporization of a volatile fluid. The volatile fluid is typically liquid argon and heated typically by means of a controllable electric heater, delivered to the workpiece typically by means of a pressure-rupturable membrane. The disclosed apparatus and methods permit the application of high hydrostatic pressures to commercial-scale workpieces, in an economic manner and with reduced cycle times.

Abstract: In a method of explosively expanding a tubular metal component into engagement with a surrounding metal component, an explosive charge is disposed axially and fired in an insert having a hollow cylindrical container fitting closely within the portion of the tubular metal component to be expanded and having charge holding device, for example an axial pocket, to accommodate the explosive charge, the container being filled with a shock wave-transmitting liquid. Compared with solid inserts, the novel hollow insert is cheaper and requires a smaller explosive charge for a given operation. The method is especially advantageous for expanding large diameter tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the rapid generation of high hydrostatic pressures and the concurrent delivery of said pressures to a workpiece. The apparatus and methods comprise the rapid thermal expansion and vaporization of a volatile fluid. The volatile fluid is typically liquid argon and heated typically by way of a controllable electric heater, delivered to the workpiece typically by way of a pressure-rupturable membrane. The disclosed apparatus and methods permit the application of high hydrostatic pressures to commercial-scale workpieces, in an economic manner and with reduced cycle times.

Abstract: To an elongate body (1) having preferably an adjustable length, seals (2, 3) are fixed. The seals comprise a skirt (22) forming a crown which surrounds a body portion at a small distance from the surface thereof, the skirt being made of a material having a flexibility sufficient to be slightly reduced in diameter when the tool is introduced into a tubular element to be expanded. The skirts of the two seals may be interconnected, thus outwardly delimiting an internal ring-shaped chamber (20) intended to receive an expansion fluid.

Abstract: A detonation deposition apparatus has a sound insulated deposition chamber and a sound insulated plenum ventilation chamber communicating with the deposition chamber, detonation equipment, and a means for moving a workpiece with respect to the end of a barrel of the detonation equipment and having a drive. The barrel is located outside the deposition chamber and its end is received in the deposition chamber through a sealed inlet. The drive is located outside the deposition chamber and is coupled to the means for moving the workpiece by means of a member effecting mechanical coupling through a sealed inlet. An inlet port of the ventilation chamber is provided with a slide valve and a means for scavenging the chambers with compressed air.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of workpieces by means of temperature and pressure shocks through the ignition of a combustible gas mixture, particularly a thermal deburring system, is proposed whose workpiece treatment chamber (1, 21, 34) consists of an outer hollow member (3, 22, 35) and an inner hollow member (4, 29, 37) which are guided one into the other and are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another, the inner hollow member (4, 29, 37) having at least one combustion space (10, 31, 32, 39, 40) for receiving the workpieces, which combustion space (10, 31, 32, 39, 40) can be brought into the area of a wall (5, 23) of the outer hollow member closing the combustion space by means of a relative movement of the two hollow members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method including a swaging die (10) with an internal cone-shaped bore section which will swage a pipe (14) forced into such die and form the cone section (30) on the pipe. Within the swaging die (10) is an insert/ejector plate (32) of a diameter to fit within the bore of the pipe (14) and wherein high pressure fluid directed through the insert/ejector plate (32) to the inside wall of the pipe (14) expands the pipe thus forming a longer, more acceptable, cone section (30) capable of providing more thread length for later threading operation. After the expansion pressure is relieved, the insert/ejector plate (32) is used to force the pipe (14) out of the swaging die (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making paraboloidal surfaces for example for paraboloidal reflector antennas. The apparatus and method provides a rigid annular clamping ring of sufficient rigidity to provide even distribution of clamping forces, to clamp a disc-shaped sheet on a table so that the sheet may be pneumatically deformed while held in position to prevent inward slippage of the sheet during the deforming process.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture for the tubes or shafts of a composite material and having a low weight, whereby a blank of a material that can be pressformed and which has a substantially even thickness of material is subjected to isostatic pressing on or in a formation tool thereby providing a shell or a liner (15) of an intended shape and profile and having a mainly by substantially thickness of material, and on or in said shell or liner (15) another material is applied and is bound, for instance a highstrength material like glassfiber, carbon fiber or aramide fiber, so that the liner (15) and said other material (17) provide a solid integral composite tube or composite shaft.

Abstract: A forming press of the pressure cell type comprising a press stand with two opposing force absorbing elements defining between them a working space into which a trough with forming tools and workpiece can be inserted; a press plate in communication with a pressure medium source; a diaphragm forming together with the press plate an expansible pressure cell; and side pieces extending along the side surfaces of the working space while keeping the diaphragm in abutment against a sealing ring disposed around the periphery of the diaphragm, said sealing ring in turn abutting against the press plate, providing thereby a quicker and simpler diaphragm exchange as compared to prior art constructions by the side pieces being turnable so that when upwardly swung, their long sides abut against the underside of the diaphragm, and by means for moving the unit formed of upwardly swung side pieces and diaphragm out of the working space; the invention also including a process for changing diaphragms in said forming press.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding a tube into a bore formed in a tube sheet in which a tubular force-transmitting member extends within the tube coextensive with the portion of the tube to be expanded. An explosive is disposed in the bore of the force-transmitting member, so that the forces resulting from the explosion of the explosive are uniformly transferred by the force-transmitting member to expand the tube into the bore. A tubular barrier member extends between the force-transmitting member and the tube and has a portion projecting from the tube sheet, and a plug is disposed in the end of the projecting portion of the barrier member to contain the debris and gases resulting from the explosion.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic induction method and apparatus therefor for simultaneously collapsing and propelling a deformable annular-shaped workpiece of relatively lightweight construction in a direction outwardly of the apparatus and along its axis wherein the apparatus is made up of seven different embodiments for carrying out the method. Each apparatus is generally comprised of a framework. The framework includes at least one pulse coil means; and a power supply circuit is connected to the pulse coil means. Annular-shaped surface portions of various embodiments of the apparatus define part of an aperture or passageway for receiving a workpiece and function to position the workpiece in mutual inductance relation to the coil means.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for expanding a pipe at a predetermined location therealong by positioning a conductive wire at the required location and rapidly discharging a known electrical charge through the wire to explode, thereby initiating a shock wave of known energy which expands the pipe plastically by a controlled amount. As applied to the repair of a pipe at a normally inaccessible location, a plastically deformable metallic sleeve capable of being cold welded to the pipe is positioned at the required location, and a conductive wire is exploded electromagnetically within the sleeve to expand the sleeve into cold welding relation with the pipe.

Abstract: An electromagnetic forming method is disclosed which effects desired forming on a given workpiece by disposing on the surface of the workpiece a driver obtained by superposing a highly electroconductive metal foil repeatedly over itself, opposing a primary coil to the driver, feeding electric current for forming to the primary coil thereby generating induced current in the driver, and allowing the workpiece to be formed by the resultant repulsive force exerted between the driver and the primary coil.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming blanks by hydroplastic deformation. In a closed deformation space there is supplied a working fluid under high pressure and, simultaneously, the material of the blank to be deformed which is disposed in the deformation space is subjected to plastic deformation by the working fluid. In the zone of the closed deformation space there is applied a concentrated and controllable impulsed fluid load, this load being applied cyclically at equal time intervals and being controlled along the length of the blank being deformed.The apparatus of the invention comprises a working tool with a blind central hole and radial channels connected thereto, and a female die in which the blank to be deformed is disposed. The working tool is connected to a supply cylinder in which there is provided a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber containing a piston connected to the working tool. The supply cylinder is fastened to the movable part of a press.

Abstract: A method of fabricating articles from precipitation hardening aluminum alloys wherein the alloy is thermomechanically treated to control the characteristics of its microstructure before forging occurs in hot dies in an isothermal condition so that deformation occurs at a minimum strain rate. The forging temperature is above the solutionizing temperature of the alloy being forged.

Abstract: A method of assembling a dynamoelectric machine (an electric motor) is disclosed in which a rotor tool is inserted into the stator bore with the tool having an outer diameter substantially equal to or slightly less than the minimum allowable inner diameter of the stator bore. The tool further has a central pin which is inserted into the bearing bore of the motor bearing support or end shield. Portions of the end shield are disposed on the outside of the stator core when the end shield and the stator core are in their desired assembled positions. Then, these portions of the end shield are magnetically deformed inwardly, as by magnetic pulse forming or the like, for positively securing the end shield to the stator core such that the rotor tool maintains alignment of the bearing bore with respect to the stator bore.

Abstract: An autofrettage process which relates to the autofrettage of thick-walled cylinders through the cyclical application of high pressure to the internal bore of the cylinder. The invention encompasses the autofrettage of cylindrical members in cyclical pressure stages each of a few seconds to a few minutes in duration during each of which the bore of the cylinder being autofrettaged is subjected to a pressure in the range of about zero to the lower of the two pressures; one is the pressure that causes a complete plastic deformation to the outer wall and the other is twice the bore yield pressure. Preferably, the pressurizable hydraulic fluid medium utilized for the autofrettage is ethylene glycol or hydraulic oil, or any similar fluid which will not freeze or solidify at the pressures encountered during the inventive process. The autofrettage pressure may be increased between one or more cyclic applications of pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for thickening the end of a pipe or rod for receiving tapered threads is disclosed. A metal sleeve is metallurgically bonded to the outer surface of the end portion of a well pipe by a high-energy impact of the sleeve colliding radially inward against the end of the well pipe. The impact is produced by the detonation of an explosive charge propagating uniformly around the sleeve. A castable metal having a substantially lower melting temperature than the melting temperature of the pipe is deposited within the pipe and is permitted to solidify in situ to form a core for absorbing the high-energy impact of the collision and for limiting the radial contraction of the pipe in order to preserve its inside diameter. A thread is machined along a tapered path which penetrates the metallurgically bonded interface of the sleeve and pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for the hydroplastic processing of tubular products which finishes the inner surfaces of such products while attaining exact outer dimensions thereof. The apparatus employs a vertical hydraulic press having a movable slide and a work table therebeneath. To the slide there is attached a device for the hydroplastic processing of tubular products, and on the workpiece of the press there is secured a positioning fixture bearing at least one die adapted to have a billet introduced thereinto. Secured to the slide of the press is a carrying plate and beneath the carrying plate and spaced therefrom there is a base plate upon which there are mounted a vertical broaching rod and, laterally spaced therefrom, a knockout rod.

Abstract: An electromagnetic forming apparatus having an expandable electromagnetic forming coil supported within an associated clamping press and having a pulse power system continuously operatively associated therewith to facilitate magnetic forming or swaging of conductive work pieces together. The forming coil employs a pair of conductive shaper halves conductively connected together in a single turn coil, the shaper halves being supported for relative movement therebetween while maintained in substantially parallel relation. The shaper halves have mutually cooperating forming recesses which receive the work pieces when the shaper halves are in open position and which define electromagnetic forming areas to swage the work pieces together when the shaper halves are closed and subjected to one or more power pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for sizing of tubes under the pressure of fluid comprises a split die (2) with a lock mounted on a bed (1) and provided with a horizontally arranged sizing channel (3) corresponding to the shape of a tube (7), a mandrel (6) for setting the tube (7) in the sizing channel (3) coaxially therewith, a means for delivery of fluid into a clearance (10) between the mandrel (6) and the tube (7), packings (19) for sealing the clearance (10) between the mandrel (6) and the tube (7), a hydraulic striker unit (24) for building up the pressure of fluid in the clearance (10), incorporating a working chamber (34) filled with a fluid and a vertically arranged receiver (30) with a barrel (25) wherein slides a striking ram (26) which at the impact builds up the pressure of fluid in the working chamber (34) connected to the sizing channel (3) of the die ( 2) through the medium of an adapter (36) joined to the sizing channel (3) and provided with a piston (37) serving for isolating the fluid filling the working chamb

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding a tube into a bore formed in tube sheet in which a primary explosive containing a relatively high number of grains of explosive per unit length extends within the tube coextensive with that portion of the tube to be expanded. An energy transfer cord extends between a detonator and the primary explosive and includes a relatively low number of grains of explosive per unit length which are insufficient to detonate the primary explosive but which be covered by a sheath to contain the debris and gases associated with the explosion of the latter explosive. A booster extends between the energy transfer cord and the primary explosive and contains an explosive which is detonatable by the energy transfer cord and, upon exploding, detonates the primary explosive.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the explosive shaping of metal tubing are provided. A die including a pair of die halves are opened and closed by means of a clamping assembly attached thereto. The die halves include a plurality of die segments which are coupled in series. A breech is secured to one end of the die. A shotgun shell may be loaded into the breech and fired by means of a detonator. The necessary force for deforming the tubing is accordingly provided. A water retaining block is secured to the end of the die opposite the breech so that water can be held in the tubing prior to detonation of the shell.

Abstract: A pipe and sleeve telescoped joint with the pipe and sleeve in sealing engagement and keys embedded in both pipe and sleeve at their interface. The size and number of the keys are calculated from the size and strength of the pipe. The sleeve is sized and its strength selected from the strength of the pipe, and the sleeve ends are shaped to hold the joint circular when it is made. The apparatus includes means for holding the midportion of the sleeve circular when creating the joint, and for cooperating with the sleeve ends to keep them circular. The sealing engagement is created by firing a propellant into a substantially incompressible medium, like water, held by the apparatus in a cavity about the sleeve, and a piston separates the explosive propellant from the pressure medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for the blast hydroplastic finishing of tubular billets, comprising a housing to which there are attached front and back stops, while the back stop has a blast chamber and a work tool disposed in it. In the back stop, after the blast chamber, there are a guiding chamber and a compensating chamber, the three being interconnected. The work tool in its initial position is disposed against a rest in the guiding chamber. The tool has a center blind hole and radial channels connected thereto, and in the front end of the work tool there is a gasket. In the front stop there is mounted a fixed ram and there is positioned a traveling cylindrical piston with a center blind hole wherein the tubular billet is disposed. One end of this cylindrical piston slips over the fixed ram so that a recoil chamber is formed, the recoil chamber being connected to the compensating chamber through longitudinal grooves in the traveling cylindrical piston.

Abstract: A machine for the explosive forming of a workpiece of sheet material comprises a yoke-shaped frame with a base carrying a pressure cylinder whose piston is insertable from below into any of several cutouts in an overlying turntable in which dies with cavities spanned by respective workpieces are receivable. An overhanging arm of the frame supports a plate with a bottom recess confronting the cavity of an aligned die and has an upwardly extending supply channel closable by a sliding gate. In operation, with a workpiece clamped between the die and the plate, a force-transmitting medium is admitted into the recess and, with the sliding gate open, a charge provided with a detonation retarder is introduced through the channel with the aid of an igniter at the lower end of that piston which initiates its detonation, occurring after the piston has been withdrawn from the channel and the gate has been closed.

Abstract: A worn conical tubular mold, exhibiting irreparable surface flaws or defects at the inner tubular wall of the mold at the location of the former region of the molten bath level existing in the tubular mold when the same was previously used during continuous casting, is formed or reformed through the use of an explosive forming technique with the aid of a calibration arbor or mandril so as to possess a new reversed taper. As a result, the surface flaw or defect now is located at the region of what becomes the new strand outlet of the reformed tubular mold and unimpaired, fissure-free mold wall material comes to lie at the region of the tubular mold where there will appear the new molten bath level when the reformed tubular mold then is again used for casting purposes.

Abstract: An autofrettage process which relates to the autofrettage of thick-walled cylinders through the cyclical application of high pressure to the internal bore of the cylinder. The invention encompasses the autofrettage of cylindrical members in cyclical pressure stages each of a few seconds to a few minutes in duration during each of which the bore of the cylinder being autofrettaged is subjected to a pressure in the range of about zero to 100,000 psi and, preferably 40,000 to 100,000 psi. Preferably, the pressurizable hydraulic fluid medium utilized for the autofrettage is ethylene glycol or hydraulic oil, or any similar fluid which will not freeze or solidify at the pressures encountered during the inventive process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing burrs and other roughage from stamped, milled and cast metallic articles. A conical combustion chamber is provided with a spiral groove which creates a turbulent flow for an ignited combustible mixture, which turbulence transforms the process from combustion to detonation. The detonated gaseous mixture is directed down the conical combustion chamber in expanding fashion to the articles which are to be de-burred, which articles are stored in a receptacle in axial alignment with the conical-shaped combustion chamber. During detonation, the burrs and other roughage are removed from the articles, while the remainder of each article is kept in tact.

Abstract: A wheel blank consisting of a circular flange surrounded by a split rim, is placed inside cylindrical conformers having external faces reproducing the profile of the wheel rim, and thereafter a ring consisting of suitably connected coils gives the possibility to subject the split ring to a magneto-forming flux.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing an annular body of fluid about a sleeve spanning the abutting ends of pipe lengths, and firing a charge of propellant, such as fast burning smokeless powder, in the liquid so as to radially shrink the sleeve into sealing engagement with the pipe lengths. If desired, the pipe lengths can be internally supported to avoid the possibility of collapse. Hard annular elements may be interposed between the sleeve and the pipe length ends to produce better mechanical locking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cold rolling metal parts to achieve improved surface uniformity and hardening. The method comprises applying to the work piece a pulsating force at a frequency of from about 30 to 300 the duration of the pulses being at least twice the time between pulses. The pulsating force varies from about 10% to 100% above the minimum force necessary to achieve a smooth rolled finish. The method contemplates just statically rolling the work piece and thereafter applying the pulsing force which, in such instance may reduce to zero.