Tube expander with force sensor
US5752313A · kind A · utility
10Cited by
7References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53122
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for expanding the tubes in a heat exchanger of the plate fin and tube type. The expander is of the type that expands the tubes by driving a "bullet" through the tube with the bullet being attached to and driven by an expander or bullet rod. The apparatus has a sensor positioned so as to be able to measure the compressive force on the expander rod. The output of the sensor is proportional to the force exerted on the rod and can be used to provide an alarm or safety shutdown of the apparatus upon the sensing of excessive force on the expander rod. The sensor output can also be used for quality and process control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.