EP1488870B1 - Method and apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1488870B1
EP1488870B1 EP04013745A EP04013745A EP1488870B1 EP 1488870 B1 EP1488870 B1 EP 1488870B1 EP 04013745 A EP04013745 A EP 04013745A EP 04013745 A EP04013745 A EP 04013745A EP 1488870 B1 EP1488870 B1 EP 1488870B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipe
tool
axis
pivot
controlled
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04013745A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1488870A1 (en
Inventor
Davide Dompe
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.)
ARO TUBI TRAFILERIE SpA
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ARO TUBI TRAFILERIE SpA
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Publication date
Application filed by ARO TUBI TRAFILERIE SpA filed Critical ARO TUBI TRAFILERIE SpA
Publication of EP1488870A1 publication Critical patent/EP1488870A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1488870B1 publication Critical patent/EP1488870B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • B21D41/00—Application of procedures in order to alter the diameter of tube ends
    • B21D41/04—Reducing; Closing
    • B21D41/045—Closing
    • 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
    • B21D39/048—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 using presses for radially crimping tubular elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids.
  • pipes are sealed by electrically welding a cap made of ferrous material to the end of the pipe, which is also made of ferrous material.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that allow to use a new material that is different from the conventional ferrous material.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that allow to seal a pipe without using additional components.
  • the method according to the invention can be used to seal all metallic pipes of various shapes and sizes, both ferrous and non-ferrous ones, produced by extrusion and/or welding, sheathed, treated or raw.
  • the method according to the invention includes two steps sequentially: a first step, which includes a cold plastic deformation of the material, for imparting the intended shape and reducing the diameter of the pipe to be closed, and a second step in which the material is brought by friction to a temperature that is sufficient to render it plastic and amalgamable so as to provide the actual seal point.
  • the method according to the invention is preferably performed by means of an apparatus, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, which includes a tool 2, which is shaped according to the material and shape to be obtained and can rotate freely about a pivot 3.
  • the pivot is mounted on a rotating mechanical system that is managed by two controlled axes.
  • a first controlled axis 4 moves the pivot 3 of the freely rotating tool at right angles to the rotation axis of the entire system, and a second controlled axis 5 moves longitudinally with respect to a rotation axis 6 of the system.
  • the freely rotating tool 2 made of a suitable material and with a surface treatment that is suitable for the type and shape of the pipe to be treated, by rotating on the entire system as soon as it makes contact with the part due to friction, starts to rotate at a rate that is linked to the rotation rate of the system, to the dimensions of the part to be machined, and to the friction coefficient.
  • the rotation rate of the tool from when one begins, by virtue of the two controlled axes, to impart a compression force to the part, allows the initial step of forming for closure, minimizing the torque on the part and producing a plastic deformation.
  • the freely rotating tool almost stops rotating, maintaining this position for the time sufficient to bring the temperature of the pipe to an adequate level.
  • the tool is moved from here only on the planar surface thereof along the perpendicular axis of the part.
  • This last step is the one that allows to amalgamate the structure of the part and spread the material, so as to ensure tightness.
  • the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a method for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids and is made of any material, without using caps or other additional components.
  • the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pressure Welding/Diffusion-Bonding (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

A method for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids, comprising two steps: a first step, which includes a cold plastic deformation of the material that is suitable to impart the chosen shape and reduce the diameter of the pipe to be closed, and a second step, during which the material is brought by friction to a temperature sufficient to render it plastic and amalgamable, so as to provide the actual hermetic closure point. The method is performed by means of an apparatus that includes a tool (2) that is shaped according to the material (7) and the shape to be obtained and can rotate freely about a pivot; the pivot is mounted on a rotating mechanical system that is managed by two controlled axes: a first controlled axis (4), which is suitable to move the pivot of the freely rotating tool (2) at right angles to the rotation axis of the entire system, and a second controlled axis (5), which is suitable to move longitudinally with respect to the rotation axis of the system, so that while the entire system turns the interpolation of the axes allows the freely rotating tool (2) to form different shapes at the end of the pipe. <IMAGE>

Description

  • The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids.
  • More particularly, the method and the apparatus according to the present invention have been studied for pipes for conveying gas in the field of household appliances.
  • Traditionally, pipes are sealed by electrically welding a cap made of ferrous material to the end of the pipe, which is also made of ferrous material.
  • Such sealing method has always had drawbacks, including always-imperfect weldings, a relatively high cost, and the possibility of welding only two parts both made of ferrous material.
  • Another example of known sealing method is disclosed in US 3 264 729 . This method allows to obtain a flat-wall closure of the pipe, but several drawbacks concern the wall thickness and the hermetic closure of said wall.
  • The aim of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that allow to use a new material that is different from the conventional ferrous material.
  • A further object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that allow to seal a pipe without using additional components.
  • This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a method for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids according to claim 1.
  • This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are also achieved by an apparatus according to claim 8.
  • Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
    • Figure 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids, according to the invention, shown in an initial position;
    • Figure 2 is a schematic view of the apparatus, according to the invention, shown in a final position.
  • The method according to the invention can be used to seal all metallic pipes of various shapes and sizes, both ferrous and non-ferrous ones, produced by extrusion and/or welding, sheathed, treated or raw.
  • The method according to the invention includes two steps sequentially: a first step, which includes a cold plastic deformation of the material, for imparting the intended shape and reducing the diameter of the pipe to be closed, and a second step in which the material is brought by friction to a temperature that is sufficient to render it plastic and amalgamable so as to provide the actual seal point.
  • With reference to the cited figures, the method according to the invention is preferably performed by means of an apparatus, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, which includes a tool 2, which is shaped according to the material and shape to be obtained and can rotate freely about a pivot 3. The pivot is mounted on a rotating mechanical system that is managed by two controlled axes.
  • A first controlled axis 4 moves the pivot 3 of the freely rotating tool at right angles to the rotation axis of the entire system, and a second controlled axis 5 moves longitudinally with respect to a rotation axis 6 of the system.
  • While the entire system rotates, the interpolation of these two axes allows the free tool to obtain different shapes at the end of a pipe 7.
  • It is thus possible to achieve completely flat closures at right angles to the axis of the pipe, which are particularly suitable for light alloys, extruded and weld-free materials, or spherical closures, as shown in the figures, with a camber whose dimensions are approximately half the diameter of the pipe being treated, which are particular suitable for ferrous pipes, welded pipes and sheathed pipes.
  • The freely rotating tool 2, made of a suitable material and with a surface treatment that is suitable for the type and shape of the pipe to be treated, by rotating on the entire system as soon as it makes contact with the part due to friction, starts to rotate at a rate that is linked to the rotation rate of the system, to the dimensions of the part to be machined, and to the friction coefficient.
  • The rotation rate of the tool, from when one begins, by virtue of the two controlled axes, to impart a compression force to the part, allows the initial step of forming for closure, minimizing the torque on the part and producing a plastic deformation.
  • As the cross-section of the pipe decreases, the rotation rate of the freely rotating tool also decreases accordingly. By reducing the relative speed between the pipe and the tool, friction increases and, due to the mutual rubbing of the two metallic parts, increases the temperature.
  • At a certain distance from the axis of the pipe, the freely rotating tool almost stops rotating, maintaining this position for the time sufficient to bring the temperature of the pipe to an adequate level.
  • The tool is moved from here only on the planar surface thereof along the perpendicular axis of the part.
  • This last step is the one that allows to amalgamate the structure of the part and spread the material, so as to ensure tightness.
  • In the application of the method according to the invention to some types of material with particular uses, it may be convenient to pass the end of the machined pipe through a magnetic inductor so as to heat it to a given temperature, in order to "normalize" the molecular structure of the part, considerably reducing any abnormal tension inside the structure.
  • In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a method for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids and is made of any material, without using caps or other additional components.
  • Experimental tests have been conducted on round pipes having a diameter of 2 to 28 mm, with thicknesses that varied between 0.2 and 10 mm, on square pipes measuring from 2 x 2 mm to 30 x 30 mm, with thicknesses from 0.2 to 10 mm; however, the method can be used for other dimensions, thicknesses and shapes.
  • The method and the apparatus according to the invention are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, within the scope of the appended claims. All the details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.
  • The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims (8)

  1. A method for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids, comprising the steps consisting of:
    - providing a tool (2) which can freely rotate about a pivot (3), the freely rotating tool (2) being part of a rotating mechanical system (1) which comprises a first controlled axis (4) suitable to move the pivot (3) at right angles to the rotation axis of the entire system, and a second controlled axis (5) suitable to move longitudinally with respect to a rotation axis (6) of the system (1);
    - providing a pipe (7) to be sealed;
    - actuating the system (1) by means of rotating the same around the rotation axis (6) with the tool (2) contacting the pipe end (7);
    - characterized by actuating the system (1) by means of moving it along the two controlled axis in order to perform a first step consisting of a cold plastic deformation of the material of the pipe (7) thus imparting the shape of a spherical closure and reducing the diameter of the pipe, and a second step, during which the material is brought by friction to a temperature sufficient to render it plastic and amalgamable, so as to provide the actual hermetic closure point.
  2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said first cold plastic deformation of the pipe (7) is performed by means of said tool (2) which is free to rotate, in contact with the part, at a rate that is linked to the rotation rate of the system, to the dimensions of the part to be treated, and to the friction coefficient.
  3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said rotation rate of the tool (2) from when a compression force begins to be applied to the part by means of the two controlled axes (4, 5) allows the initial step for forming and closure, minimizing the torque on the part and performing a plastic deformation.
  4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that as the cross-section of the pipe (7) decreases, the rotation rate of the freely rotating tool (2) also decreases; by reducing the relative speed between the pipe (7) and the tool (2), friction increases and, by virtue of the mutual rubbing of the two parts, raises the temperature.
  5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a certain distance from the axis of the pipe (7), the freely rotating tool (2) almost stops turning, maintaining this position for the time sufficient to bring the temperature of the pipe to an adequate level.
  6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tool (2) is moved only on the planar surface thereof along the perpendicular axis of the part, so as to amalgamate the structure of the part and spread the material, so as to ensure its sealing.
  7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end of the pipe being treated is passed through a magnetic inductor in order to heat it to a given temperature so as to "normalize" the molecular structure of the part, reducing considerably any abnormal tension within said structure.
  8. An apparatus suitable to perform the sealing method according to one or more of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising a tool (2) that is shaped according to the material and the shape to be obtained and can rotate freely about a pivot (3); said pivot (3) being mounted on a rotating mechanical system characterized in that the rotating mechanical system is managed by two controlled axes: a first controlled axis (4), which moves said pivot (3) of the freely rotating tool (2) at right angles to the rotation axis of the entire system, and a second controlled axis (5), which moves longitudinally with respect to the rotation axis (6) of the system, so that while the entire system turns the interpolation of said axes (4, 5) allows the freely rotating tool (2) to form different shapes at the end of the pipe (7), and so that as the cross-section of the pipe decreases, the rotation rate of the freely rotating tool (2) also decreases accordingly.
EP04013745A 2003-06-19 2004-06-11 Method and apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids Expired - Lifetime EP1488870B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI20031239 2003-06-19
IT001239A ITMI20031239A1 (en) 2003-06-19 2003-06-19 METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR TIGHTLY CLOSING A GAS OR LIQUID CONDUCTIVE PIPE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1488870A1 EP1488870A1 (en) 2004-12-22
EP1488870B1 true EP1488870B1 (en) 2011-12-21

Family

ID=30131245

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04013745A Expired - Lifetime EP1488870B1 (en) 2003-06-19 2004-06-11 Method and apparatus for sealing a pipe that conveys gases or liquids

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EP (1) EP1488870B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE537918T1 (en)
IT (1) ITMI20031239A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2304269B1 (en) * 2005-08-03 2009-07-17 Alberto Bellomo GAS DISTRIBUTOR FOR A KITCHEN, WITH A TUBE CLOSURE.
ES2363143B1 (en) 2009-03-27 2012-06-13 Bsh Electrodomésticos España, S.A. TUBULAR ELEMENT, GAS OPERATED APPLIANCE AND PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A TUBULAR ELEMENT.
ITMI20090878A1 (en) 2009-05-19 2010-11-20 Aro Tubi Trafilerie S P A PROCESS OF OBTAINING DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF REFRIGERANT FLUID IN REFRIGERATING MACHINES AND DEVICES SO OBTAINED
CN101745576B (en) * 2010-01-07 2011-12-07 嘉兴永发电子有限公司 Hollow tube processing method
JP5339540B2 (en) * 2010-12-01 2013-11-13 日本発條株式会社 Hollow coil spring and manufacturing method thereof
FR2995293B3 (en) * 2012-09-07 2015-04-10 Cinetic Filling METHOD OF FILLING A RESERVOIR BY MEANS OF A SHEAR MIXING THE MATERIAL LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE FILLING POINT AND MACHINE USING THE SAME
CN103480874B (en) * 2013-09-29 2015-10-28 浙江施克汽车配件有限公司 Aluminium pot sealing cutter
CN104697651B (en) * 2014-12-26 2017-12-08 杭州热威机电有限公司 Temperature probe enamel blind pipe structure and preparation method thereof
CN106695909A (en) * 2016-12-23 2017-05-24 深圳巴斯巴科技发展有限公司 Novel sealing knife for gas-filled tube of high-voltage relay
CN107855426A (en) * 2017-09-29 2018-03-30 佛山市高明安华陶瓷洁具有限公司 A kind of production method of copper pipe sealing

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3264729A (en) * 1962-06-18 1966-08-09 Gas Appliance Supply Corp Method for closing the ends of pipes
DE3321363A1 (en) * 1983-06-14 1984-12-20 Th. Kieserling & Albrecht Gmbh & Co, 5650 Solingen Pressing process, and pivoting-form pressing machine for carrying out the process
EP0530383A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-03-10 ZEPPELIN-Metallwerke GmbH Method and device for forming workpieces
US5598729A (en) * 1994-10-26 1997-02-04 Tandem Systems, Inc. System and method for constructing wall of a tube
IT1280983B1 (en) 1995-10-18 1998-02-11 Magneti Marelli Climat Srl PROCEDURE FOR CLOSING AN END OF A METAL TUBE.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMI20031239A0 (en) 2003-06-19
ATE537918T1 (en) 2012-01-15
ITMI20031239A1 (en) 2004-12-20
EP1488870A1 (en) 2004-12-22

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