Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for bending a straight tube into a serpentine tube

US4351178A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
8References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1981
Grant dateSep 28, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB21D11/07
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a serpentine tube by bending a straight tube including a plurality of dies each having an arcuate surface, the dies being arranged alternately on opposite sides of the straight tube and movable in a direction toward the center axis of the straight tube and at the same time in a direction intersecting the center axis of the straight tube. During a bending operation, the dies are spaced apart from one another in a manner to impart to the straight tube and the serpentine tube such a dimensional relationship that no excess material is produced in the tube. Each die forms a set with two wings, the two wings being operative to force the straight tube against the arcuate surface of the associated die while rotatingly moving for a circumferential extent of 90 degrees each along the arcuate surface of the die. Each set of die and wings is mounted on one of a plurality of front-to-rear ball screws supported for movement by a plurality of left-to-right ball screws. The front-to-rear ball screws and the left-to-right ball screws have their movements controlled by respective pulse motors.

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