Patent · US Expired

Expanding and beading apparatus for tubes and the like

US4090382A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
6References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 1977
Grant dateMay 23, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 31, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB21D39/06
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for expanding and beading the end portion of a steel tube positioned within an opening of a tube sheet for use in boilers, heat exchangers and the like. The apparatus accomplishes the expansion and beading of the tube with relative portability, substantial efficiency, and minimum noise levels. An elongated housing has one end portion adapted to be inserted into the tube with a plurality of rollers mounted for rotation about the periphery. The rollers are tapered slightly and offset at an acute angle with respect to the central axis of the housing. A mandrel having a taper opposite that of the rollers is positioned therebetween such that insertion of the housing into the tube while rotatably inserting the mandrel between the rollers causes the rollers to roll into the tube along a helical path while shifting radially outward to expand the tube and develop generally axial and substantial inward forces. A beading roll is positioned on the housing and loosely retained so as to engage the end of the tube so as to cold work the end of the tube to provide an arcuate bead in sealed relation with the tube sheet. Substantial forces are transmitted to the beading rol…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.