Automated tube reforming apparatus
US5879723A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S425/218
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tube reforming apparatus provides efficient mass production of reformed tube end portions. In a preferred embodiment, a tube reforming apparatus has a loading station, two heating stations, a forming station, and an unloading station. The loading station permits rapid loading of a series of laterally spaced apart tubes into clamping fixtures, and accurately meters a downwardly extending end portion of each tube. The heating stations permit accurate and evenly distributed heat to be applied to the end portions to make them pliable. The forming station reforms the end portions between a mating die pair, while compensating for any volume variation in the end portions. The unloading station automatically unloads the tubes from the clamping fixtures. Automation features of the apparatus permit these operations to be efficiently accomplished.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.