EP0040971A2 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verbinden eines Rohres mit einem Flansch - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verbinden eines Rohres mit einem Flansch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0040971A2
EP0040971A2 EP81302286A EP81302286A EP0040971A2 EP 0040971 A2 EP0040971 A2 EP 0040971A2 EP 81302286 A EP81302286 A EP 81302286A EP 81302286 A EP81302286 A EP 81302286A EP 0040971 A2 EP0040971 A2 EP 0040971A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
punch
portions
holding apparatus
flange
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP81302286A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0040971A3 (de
Inventor
Edward R. Horton
John L. Hughes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Tractor Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Publication of EP0040971A2 publication Critical patent/EP0040971A2/de
Publication of EP0040971A3 publication Critical patent/EP0040971A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
    • B21D39/04—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of tubes with tubes; of tubes with rods
    • B21D39/046—Connecting tubes to tube-like fittings

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for connecting a tube to a flange, and more particularly to an improved method of expanding the tube radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange.
  • Metal flanges having a plurality of grooves in a central bore therein have heretofore been connected . to a metal tube by inserting a rotating expander assembly into the end of the tube.
  • the rotating expender assembly has a tapered mandrel and a plurality of floating, tapered, elongate rollers contained within an accompanying cage. The rollers are expanded by insertion of the rotating mandrel and this deforms the metal of the tube radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange.
  • Such a method is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Specification No.3,982,778.
  • a method of connecting a tube of deformable materials to a flange comprises the steps of (a) placing the tube between first and second portions of a holding apparatus; (b) gripping the tube securely between the portions;. (c) positioning a flange about the tube; (d) positioning a punch, of preselected external contour, of a force transmitting apparatus in axial alignment with the tube; and (e) forcing the punch axially into the tube thereby expanding the tube radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange.
  • step (b) may be performed before or after step (c).
  • the first and second portions of the holding apparatus have semi-cylindrical recesses and are pivoted together, step (b) including pivotally closing the portions to grip the tube securely in the recesses.
  • step (b) may include pivotally closing the second portion on the first portion, pivotally moving a first powered actuator into overlapping engagement with the second portion, and then operating the first powered actuator to urge the second portion against the first portion.
  • the first and second portions may then be forcibly separated by retracting the first actuator.
  • the force-transmitting apparatus may have a pair of gripping arms, step (d) including closing the arms embracingly on the holding apparatus. After the punch has been urged into the tube, and has been withdrawn from the tube, the arms are opened away from the holding apparatus.
  • apparatus for connecting a tube of deformable material to a flange comprises a tube holding apparatus having first and second portions pivotable one relative to the other about the tube, and a first powered actuator movable to force the first and second portions together to grip the tube; and a force transmitting apparatus including a punch and having a pair of gripping arms which embrace the holding apparatus, whereby in use when the punch is pushed into the tube to secure the tube onto a surrounding flange the reaction of the punch is transmitted through the gripping arms to the holding apparatus.
  • the punch and/or holding apparatus portions have releasable tube engaging parts such that after use the punch and/or the holding apparatus portions may be disassembled, new parts installed and the punch and/or holding apparatus portions reassembled for use with a tube of different cross-section.
  • the force-transmitting apparatus may include a computer controlled industrial robot for automatically 'moving the force-transmitting apparatus into a preselected position.
  • the programmed industrial robot of the force-transmitting apparatus can automatically and precisely position the profiled punch into axial alignment with the tube. Thereafter the gripping arms are closed upon the holding apparatus, the punch is forced into the tube a preselected distance, the punch is retracted, and the gripping arms are opened away from the holding apparatus so that the industrial robot can be subsequently positioned at a separate work station.
  • the result is an improved production method that can quickly and positively interlock a tube to a flange without the tube spalling noted with rotating mandrel processes.
  • less time and energy is required, and yet the tubes are coupled more tightly to the flanges with less decrease in the wall thickness of the tubes.
  • a holding apparatus 10 securely grips a mild steel tube 12, having an internal bore 13, between first and second portions 14, 16 thereof along a main axis 18.
  • a force-transmitting apparatus 20 includes a punch 22,of preselected external contour larger than the bore 13, positioned on the main axis 18 preparatory to being urged or forced axially into the tube 12.
  • the holding apparatus 10 includes a first powered actuator or telescoping hydraulic jack 24 for forcibly clamping the first and second portions 14, 16 together, and the force-transmitting apparatus 20 includes a
  • second powered actuator or telescoping hydraulic jack 26 for forcing the punch axially within the tube.
  • the force-transmitting apparatus 20 includes a frame assembly 28 carried upon a distal end portion 30 of an industrial robot 32.
  • the robot is preferably computer controlled and has a multi-segmented arm 34 that can be automatically positioned in any one of a plurality of working attitudes.
  • a second portion 36 of the arm 34 can be rotated on a first portion 38 about a horizontal first axis 40 to provide a variable degree of pitch as is illustrated by the arrow identified by the letter P in Fig. 1.
  • a third portion 42 can be rotated on the second portion 36 about a second axis 44 to provide a variable degree of roll as is illustrated by the arrow identified by the letter R.
  • a fourth portion 46 can be rotated on the third portion 42 'about a generally upright third axis 48.
  • Frame assembly 28 is mounted on the fourth portion 46 of the arm 34 so that it can thus be appreciated that the frame assembly can be conveniently positioned in any one of a plurality of working attitudes.
  • the multi-segmented arm 34 of the industrial robot 32 is of conventional construction and reference is made to the commercial line of industrial robots and associated automatic control systems produced by Cincinnati Milacron, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio under the trademark T 3 Industrial Robot, the full operation of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the powered actuator 26 of the force-transmitting apparatus 20 includes a cylindrical portion 50 releasably secured to the frame assembly 28, and an extendable rod portion 52 to which is attached the profiled punch 22.
  • a bracket 54 extends transversely from the rod portion and a cylindrical actuating rod 56 is releasably secured to the bracket.
  • the actuating rod is slidably mounted within a spaced pair of bearing assemblies 58 secured to the frame assembly, and first and second annular cam members 60,62 are releasably secured to the rod at preselected spaced points therealong.
  • First and second cam-operated followers 64,66 functionally cooperate with first and second electrical limit switches 68,70 to advise the control system of the industrial robot 32, not shown, of the fully extended and fully retracted positions of the punch 22 and to stop the punch automatically thereat.
  • the force-transmitting apparatus 20 further includes a pair of gripping arms 72 pivotally secured to the frame assembly 28 at a corresponding pair of generally upright pivot joints 74.
  • a third powered actuator or telescoping hydraulic jack 76 having a head end portion 78 and a rod end portion 80 pivotally connected to the individual gripping arms is actuated by the control system of the robot 32, and a pair of side bars 82 secured to the frame assembly limit the maximum opening of the gripping arms to a preselected degree.
  • Each of the gripping arm 72 has an inwardly facing recess 84 therein defining first and second thrust or reaction surfaces 86,88 as are shown more clearly in - Figs. 4 and 5.
  • the first and second portions 14,16 thereof are pivotally connected to each other by a pivot joint 90.
  • Replaceable half bushing members 92 each having a semi-cylindrical recess 94, are releasably disposed in the respective first and second portions for accommodating tubes 12 of different diameters.
  • the first or lower portion 14 of the holding apparatus 10 is rigidly secured to a table or working platform 96 and has a recess 98 defined therein and a second pivot joint 100.
  • the second or upper portion 16 has a recess 102 substantially like the lower recess 98 and alignable therewith when the upper portion is pivotally closed upon the lower portion about the pivot joint 90.
  • a pair of opposed or facing C-shaped channels 104, individually defining a shoulder 106 are rigidly connected to the top of the upper portion 16.
  • the first powered actuator 24 includes a head end portion 108 having a device 110 screwthreadably secured thereto, and a rod end portion 112 defining with the head end portion first and second fluid chambers 114,116.
  • the rod end portion 112 includes a depending rod 118 that is sealingly and slidably received in the device 110 and that is pivotally secured to the lower portion 14 of the holding apparatus 10 at the pivot joint 100.
  • a flange 120 having an internal bore 122 and a shoulder 124 is fitted over the end of the tube 12 such that the tube abuts the shoulder.
  • the flange is preferably make of a powdered metal such as alloyed iron as is, for example, described in U. S. Patent Specification No. 3, 982, 778.
  • a plurality of annular grooves or channels 126 are formed in the flange which open inwardly on the bore and, in general, the profiled punch 22 is adapted to displace the metal of the tube 12 radially outwardly into interlocking conformance with these grooves.
  • the profiled punch 22 includes a base 128, an annular insert 130 and a retaining end member 132 as is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • the base has a blind threaded bore 134 an end surface 136, - and the end member has a cylindrical end portion 138, a threaded shaft 140 and a cylindrical guiding portion 142 therebetween.
  • the insert 130 is thus replaceably contained between a surface 144 on the end portion 138 and the surface 136 on the relatively tightly fitting cylindrical guiding portion 142.
  • the insert itself is preferably made of a material selected from the group consisting of chromium plated tool steel, hafnium carbide, and powdered metal carbide.
  • the peripheral metal forming contour of the insert is of considerable significance and we have found that a conical leading surface 146 having a preselected angle of outward divergence and a convex surface 148 tangential thereto and formed by a preselected radius revolved around the main axis 18 is preferred. Together the surfaces 146,148 form an annular forming ramp 150 specifically sized for effective expansion of the tube material for different wall thicknesses and tube diameters.
  • the tube is initially placed in the recess 94 of the lower portion 14 of the holding apparatus 10 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the semi-cylindrical recesses 94 are preferably serrated and form jointly an undersized bore or interference fit to better grip the tube.
  • the flange 120 is positioned on the tube such that the shoulder 124 thereof is seated against the end of the tube.
  • the upper portion 16 of the holding apparatus is then rotated about pivot joint 90 from the open position shown in Fig. 2 to a substantially closed position against the lower portion. This is accomplished with the first powered actuator 24 disposed in a retracted position as illustrated.
  • the first powered - actuator is rotated upwardly about the pivot joint 100 to a position overlapping the channels 104 substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.
  • Fluid under considerable pressure for example about 7,000 kPa (1,000 psi)
  • the force-transmitting apparatus 20 may be connecting another tube to another flange 120 at a separate work station, not shown. But, with the tube securely gripped, the force-transmitting apparatus is positioned from such remote location into axial alignment with the main axis 18 as is illustrated _ n Fig. 1 through automatic operation of the computer controlled industrial robot 32.
  • the first, second, third and fourth portions 38,36,42 and 46 of the multi-segmented arm 34 can experience independent pitch, roll and yaw movements in a known manner.
  • the force-transmitting apparatus 20 is thus automatically positioned on the main axis 18 with the gripping arms 72 in a fully opened position against the side bars 82 and with the recesses 84 thereof in positions of lateral alignment with the lower and upper portions 14, 16 of the holding apparatus.
  • the rod portion 52 of the second powered actuator 26 is disposed in a retracted position wherein the profiled punch 22 is juxtaposed immediately outwardly of the end of the tube 12.
  • the region intermediate the tube and the punch is preferably lubricated by a jet of lubricating fluid from a tube mounted on the force-transmitting apparatus or by any convenient means (not shown).
  • the industrial robot 32 is preprogrammed to subsequently initiate automatic retraction of the third powered actuator 76 and closing of the gripping arms 72 to a position wherein the lower and upper portions 14,16 are positively received within the arm recesses 84.
  • the second powered actuator 26 is automatically extended from the retracted position by supplying fluid under considerable pressure, for example 12,000 kPa (1,500 psi), to the head end thereof from a conventional source, not shown.
  • the profiled punch 22 is thus forced to the right when viewing the drawing with the cylindrical end member 132 self-centeringly disposed within the tube 12.
  • This causes the forming ramp 150 and particularly the conical leading surface 146 thereof to displace the material of the internal bore 13 of the tube radially outwardly as can be observed when comparing Fig. 4 with Fig. 5.
  • the internal bore 13 is diametrically expanded about 1.5 to 6.5% with the inward or rightward travel of the punch. Such preselected amount of expansion has been found to displace the material of the tube substantially fully into interlocking engagement with the annular grooves 126 in the flange 120.
  • the retraction of the second powered actuator 26 continues until the first cam member 60 contacts the first cam follower 64 sufficiently to displace it downwardly and to actuate the first limit switch 68, whereupon the actuator travel stops and the fully retracted position of the punch 22 is realized.
  • the third powered actuator 76 is automatically extended to open the gripping arms 72 away from the holding apparatus 10. The gripping arms separate until they contact the side bars 82 of the frame assembly 28.
  • the preprogrammed industrial robot 32 then automatically travels away from the platform 96 to a separate work station where another tube and flange connection can be similarly made.
  • Pressurized fluid can then be directed to the upper fluid chamber 114 of the first powered actuator 24 shown in Fig. 3.
  • This causes the head end portion 108 to travel upwardly on the rod end portion 112 when viewing the drawing.
  • the annular device 110 travels upwardly also to contact the shoulder 106 of the channels 104 and to cause the upper portion 16 of the holding apparatus 10 to pivotally open away from the lower portion 14. Since there are very large forces involved in securely clamping the tube 12, there is a considerable force resisting the subsequent separation of the lower and upper portions. But the contacting of the adjustable device 110 with the channels effectively opens the portions whereupon the fluid pressure can be released to the first powered actuator, allowing it to be rotated from an upright position to the lowered or retracted position shown in Fig. 2. Then the upper portion can be easily fully opened and the fully coupled tube and flange removed from the holding apparatus 10. '
  • the holding apparatus 10 and force-transmitting apparatus 20 of the present invention are adapted to more positively connect a flange to a tube, and with a marked savings in time and energy.
  • the wall thickness of the tube within the flange after deformation can be greater than with the prior method of utilizing a rotating mandrel.
  • the enlarged bore of the tube is smoother, and yet the flange is more tightly interlocked with the tube than with prior methods.
EP81302286A 1980-05-27 1981-05-22 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verbinden eines Rohres mit einem Flansch Withdrawn EP0040971A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1980/000642 WO1981003443A1 (en) 1980-05-27 1980-05-27 Method of connecting a tube to a flange
WOPCT/US80/00642 1980-05-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0040971A2 true EP0040971A2 (de) 1981-12-02
EP0040971A3 EP0040971A3 (de) 1982-06-09

Family

ID=22154368

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81302286A Withdrawn EP0040971A3 (de) 1980-05-27 1981-05-22 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verbinden eines Rohres mit einem Flansch

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0040971A3 (de)
JP (1) JPS57500686A (de)
WO (1) WO1981003443A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19800910A1 (de) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-15 Itc Rohrtechnik Gmbh Rohrverbindungsverfahren und Vorrichtung zur Durchführung derselben
US6757974B2 (en) * 1999-08-06 2004-07-06 Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. Fuel inlet and manufacturing method thereof

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1716429A (en) * 1927-03-02 1929-06-11 Davies Hugh Method of forming pipe joints
GB546306A (en) * 1941-03-03 1942-07-07 Roe A V & Co Ltd Improvements relating to pipe joints or couplings
US2622652A (en) * 1949-09-30 1952-12-23 Charles L Conroy Apparatus for attaching hose couplings
US2871734A (en) * 1956-02-29 1959-02-03 Western Electric Co Apparatus for heading tubular members
US3119435A (en) * 1961-08-11 1964-01-28 Greenman Murry Apparatus for connecting presemiflanged rungs to preapertured spaced ladder rails
FR1524420A (fr) * 1966-08-09 1968-05-10 Werner Co Inc R D Perfectionnements aux échelles
US3503244A (en) * 1967-05-29 1970-03-31 Joslin Alvin E Pipe holding mechanism
US3504515A (en) * 1967-09-25 1970-04-07 Daniel R Reardon Pipe swedging tool
US3660884A (en) * 1969-11-14 1972-05-09 Imp Eastman Corp Hand tool for connecting a fitting to a duct end
US3699625A (en) * 1971-02-03 1972-10-24 Caterpillar Tractor Co Method of making mechanical joined hose coupling of extruded components
US3967840A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-07-06 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Joint and process for forming same
US3982778A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-09-28 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Joint and process for forming same
GB2019760A (en) * 1978-02-01 1979-11-07 Fischer Castings Ltd G A Method of Connecting a Pipe Fitting and Tool Therefor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3166828A (en) * 1961-09-28 1965-01-26 Gen Electric Method for mounting bearings in a dynamoelectric machine
US3280454A (en) * 1965-06-03 1966-10-25 Howard B Rich Inc Machine for forming ladders
US4043160A (en) * 1975-12-18 1977-08-23 The Boeing Company Internal tooling for swaging apparatus

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1716429A (en) * 1927-03-02 1929-06-11 Davies Hugh Method of forming pipe joints
GB546306A (en) * 1941-03-03 1942-07-07 Roe A V & Co Ltd Improvements relating to pipe joints or couplings
US2622652A (en) * 1949-09-30 1952-12-23 Charles L Conroy Apparatus for attaching hose couplings
US2871734A (en) * 1956-02-29 1959-02-03 Western Electric Co Apparatus for heading tubular members
US3119435A (en) * 1961-08-11 1964-01-28 Greenman Murry Apparatus for connecting presemiflanged rungs to preapertured spaced ladder rails
FR1524420A (fr) * 1966-08-09 1968-05-10 Werner Co Inc R D Perfectionnements aux échelles
US3503244A (en) * 1967-05-29 1970-03-31 Joslin Alvin E Pipe holding mechanism
US3504515A (en) * 1967-09-25 1970-04-07 Daniel R Reardon Pipe swedging tool
US3660884A (en) * 1969-11-14 1972-05-09 Imp Eastman Corp Hand tool for connecting a fitting to a duct end
US3699625A (en) * 1971-02-03 1972-10-24 Caterpillar Tractor Co Method of making mechanical joined hose coupling of extruded components
US3967840A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-07-06 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Joint and process for forming same
US3982778A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-09-28 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Joint and process for forming same
FR2304016A1 (fr) * 1975-03-13 1976-10-08 Caterpillar Tractor Co Joint perfectionne et procede de formation dudit joint
GB2019760A (en) * 1978-02-01 1979-11-07 Fischer Castings Ltd G A Method of Connecting a Pipe Fitting and Tool Therefor

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19800910A1 (de) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-15 Itc Rohrtechnik Gmbh Rohrverbindungsverfahren und Vorrichtung zur Durchführung derselben
US6757974B2 (en) * 1999-08-06 2004-07-06 Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. Fuel inlet and manufacturing method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1981003443A1 (en) 1981-12-10
JPS57500686A (de) 1982-04-22
EP0040971A3 (de) 1982-06-09

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Inventor name: HUGHES, JOHN L.

Inventor name: HORTON, EDWARD R.