US3301030A - Rotary straightening machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3l, 1967 l R. G. BRowNsTr-:IN 3,301,030

ROTARY STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Raymond G. Browns/ein INVENTOR B-Y W LMQN AT TOR N EYS Jian. 3L H967 R. G. BROWNSTEIN 3,303,03@

ROTARY STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed April 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2/8 2/0 "4 ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 967 R. G. BRowNsTl-:IN

ROTARY STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Sigma Filed April '7, 1964 iinited States patent Gif-ice 3,3%,03 Patented Jan. 3l, i967 3,301,030 RTARY STRAIGHTENENG MACHINE Raymond G. Brownstein, 300 Fountain Ave., Elfwood City, Pa. 16117 Filed Apr. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 357,893 l0 Claims. (Cl. 72-98) This invention relates generally to equipment for automatic straightening of tubular stock, and is particularly concerned with the provision of a machine capable of straightening thin wall stock over a short span through compression forces rather than through a conventional bending technique.

Tube straightening machines have come into widespread use, particularly in recent years, and it is common practice at the present time to utilize straightening machines of the type in which a bending operation takes place in sufficient amount to afford a permanent straightened stock. These types of machines usually require a relatively long span of operation on the tubular stock in order to properly guide the same through the bending op eration. To this end, present machines use a plurality of guides and/ or successive spaced rollers which contact the traveling stock and maintain the same in desired alignment through the straightening apparatus. Aside from the long span aspects, these machines must operate at relatively slow speeds in order to apply the proper bending forces.

It is also conventional practice to exert the bending Vforces `on the traveling stock at spaced points about the outer periphery of the stock while the same is traveling through the apparatus. One of the primary drawbacks of presently used machines of this type, is the requirement that the machine be bulky and the stock be of a relatively long span since it is necessary for the stock to travel between spaced points within the machine and between rotating rollers disposed at differing angles of rotation. With the most widely used form of this type machine, the stock traverses an area in which three different sets of rollers engage the stock at spaced points along the length thereof and bend the same in different directions thereby straightening the elongate tubular stock.

Notwithstanding the advances which have been made in the tube straightening field, there remains a need for an efficient `operable straightening machine capable of straightening tubular stock Within a short span, and further capable of applying compression forces within a confined area so that the tubular stock is worked without the need of stock guides and at a relatively high speed. More particularly, and by way of example rather than limitation, there is a need for a pipe straightening machine, which is capable of accommodating `a wide range of stock diameters, which machine operates at relatively high speeds without the use of auxiliary guide means spaced throughout the machine, and which machine is capable of maintaining constant and controlled pressure on the working rollers so as to afford an even straightening operation on the traveling stock.

Bearing in mind the foregoing, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a straightening apparatus which meets the aforesaid requirements, and which is conveniently and efficiently operable to straighten tubular stock of varying sizes or diameters, and t-o accommodate varying lengths of tubular stock. Still further, in this general regard, it is an important object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which is capable of efficiently handling several different types of tubular stock, more particularly stock of different material by compressively operating on the constituent particle or fiber orientation of the stock to achieve the straightening thereof.

Consistent with the above general and basic specific objects of the invention, there are certain more detailed objects thereof, including the following:

(a) the provision of an Iapparatus conforming with the preceding objects wherein the elongate tubular stock is engaged about spaced points on the periphery thereof by at least three rotating surfaces one of which surfaces rotates in a direction opposite the direction in which the other two surfaces are rotating;

(b) the provision of an apparatus conforming with the preceding objects wherein the rotating surfaces simultaneously straighten the elongate tubular stock and advance the stock forwardly past the rotating surfaces;

(c) the provision `of such an apparatus conforming with the preceding objects wherein spaced points on one peripheral portion of the elongate tubular stock are progressively engaged with the side working edges and central portions of the unitary rotating surface and wherein one side of the peripheral portion of the elongate stock is progressively engaged by a a second independent rotating surface disposed in overlying relation to one of the side working edges of the first surface and wherein this second rotating surface rotates in a direction `opposite to that of the first rotating surface and progressively engaging the other side of the opposite peripheral portion of the elongate stock with a third independent rotating surface which is disposed in overlying relation to the other side working edges of the rst rotating surface and wherein this third rotating surface is moved in the same direction as the second roller surface;

(d) The provision of such an apparatus conforming with the preceding 4objects wherein two of the rotating surfaces engaging the elongate tubular stock along spaced points on the periphery thereof are supported on a pivotallymounted frame which maintains the disposition of both the rotating surfaces Iabout an axis making an acute angle with the longitudinal axis lof the passing elongate tubular stock;

(e) the provision of such an apparatus conforming with the preceding objects, wherein the engagement of all rotating surfaces upon spaced points of the elongate stock are carried out such that any given time, any given cross section of the elongate stock is engaged by the rotating surfaces only on the bottom periphery thereof and on one side portion of the top periphery thereof;

(f) the provision of such an apparatus conforming with the preceding objects wherein the rotating surfaces are spaced from one another to define an elongate tubular stock receiving passageway therebetween through which the elongate stock can pass only by engagement with all of the rotating surfaces.

The apparatus provided by the present invention for achieving the above basic objects incorporates a main frame or housing upon which is pivotally mounted a pressure roller support frame and a planetary hollow ring roller support frame. Each of these frames is provided with a separate adjustable control mechanism for maintaining both the angular adjustment of the same as well as the pressure under which the rollers and planetary ring are maintained in engagement with the traveling stock. In line with this general arrangement, the invention has certain specific objects which relate to the overall apparatus design, the manner in which the tubular stock is passed through the straightening apparatus, the manner in which the straightening apparatus is pivotally mounted on the main or base housing, the manner in which the straightening operation itself is carried out, and the manner in which the apparatus is selectively adjustable depending on the diameter of the tubular stock being straightened thereby.

In more detail, a specific object of the present invention is to provide a pipe straightening apparatus conforming with the preceding objects wherein the tubular stock passing through the straightening area is maintained in contact with a plurality of pressure rollers in such a manner as to properly track the stock through the machine without the use of auxiliary guides. In other words, in this regard, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in 4which the straightening operation is confined to a limited area and around a single relatively minor section of the tubular stock at any given instant of time.

A second specic object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which includes, in addition to the pressure roller and the planetary hollow ring roller support frames, separate hydraulically driven adjustable speed motors for operating the pressure rollers as well as the planetary hollow ring roller.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary pipe straightening apparatus having a pressure roller support frame which is pivotally mounted about its longitudinally extending axis thereby permitting angular adjustment of the pressure rollers with respect to both the traveling or passing tubular stock and the outer hollow planetary ring roller. In regard to this specific object, it is an additional object of the present invention to provide adjustment mechanisms for both the pressure rollers and the planetary ring roller in order to enlarge or reduce the passageway through which tubular stock may travel for the straightening operation. Following this object another step, it is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic actuator operated by an adjustable pressure lever for pivotally moving the pressure roller supporting frame about its vertical axis and to provide a regulated and adjustable straightening load, plus a balancing load to counteract the weight of the rollers and frame. Moreover, still another object of the invention in this regard, is to provide a pair of turn wheel actuators and connecting each with a separate worm gear for meshing the same with a movable or reciprocable rack. By means of the gear and rack arrangement the pressure roller supporting frame and the planetary ring roller supporting frame are pivotally moved about respective axes.

With respect to the pressure rollers and the straightening operation, still another important specific object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which operates in accordance with the preceding objects, but which includes a pair of pressure rollers mounted for rotatable action about parallel axes disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the planetary hollow ring roller. Again, carrying this object one step further, an additional important specific object of the present invention is to provide such a straightening apparatus wherein both pressure rollers are mounted on a single frame and powered by a single hydraulic pressure driven motor also supported on this frame. In this regard, an additional important specific object of the present invention is to provide for the pivotal adjusting movement of the pressure roller support frame with respect to the planetary hollow ring roller and its convex internal tapered surface so as to permit various diameters of tubular stock to be engaged by both the pressure rollers and the internal tapered surface of the hollow planetary ring roller.

Another, still further and additional specific object of the present invention, is to provide such a straightening apparatus which operates in accordance with the preceding objects and further includes a hydraulic driving mechanism mounted on the planetary ring roller supporting frame and which driving mechanism is connected to the ring roller by means of a pulley and a timing belt which is reeved about the outer periphery of the hollow ring roller. In this regard, another specific object of the present invention is to provide a gear shift belt drive having non-lubricated gear combinations, wherein only the bearings require lubrication.

The invention resides in the combination, arrangement, and construction of the overall apparatus, as well as in certain subcombinations and arrangements incorporated in the overall machine. The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings presenting preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a rotary straightening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the straightening apparatus of FIGURE l in reduced scale, but showing parts of the operating mechanism in partial cut-away section;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view similar to FIGURE 3, but partially in section and on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 5 is a partial top plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, but showing other parts of the apparatus in section;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional side view taken along the line 6--6 of FIGURE 2, showing in detail the mechanism and controls for pivotally operating parts of the apparatus of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5, showing the passage of an elongate tubular stock through the apparatus.

A machine constructed in accordance with the present invention may ultimately have yan appearance similar to that shown in FIGURE l. By referring to such Fig ure, it will be noted that the machine, as generally designated by the numeral 2, is supported on a base section 4, The main frame or housing of the straightening machine is generally designated by the numeral 6. A pressure roller supporting frame S is mounted on ythe main frame 6 of the straightening machine for both vertical reciprocal movement and lpivotal movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame. Also mounted on the main frame 6 is a planetary ring roller supporting frame 10 which is pivotally supported on the circular trunnion 12. A pair of turn wheel adjusting screws 14 and 16 are also mounted on the main frame 6 of the straightening mia chine. These turn wheels 14 and 16, respectively, control the pivotal movement of the pressure -roller support frame and the planetary ring roller support frame.

A straightening machine such as that shown in FIGURE 1 is adapted to handle different types of elongate tubular stock of varying diameters. By way of example, the straightening machine 2 can be considered as used in the handling and straightening of a thin wall tubular stock such as that designated by the numeral 18. It is to be understood, however, that the machine can be used for straightening other types of tubular elongate :stock having thin walls or thick walls and that the thin wall stock devscribed in connection with the straightening machine is presented merely for exemplary purposes.

By `referring to FIGURE l it will be seen that the pressure roller support frame 8 comprises a `pair of parallel vertically disposed and lspaced apart shaft members 2G and 22 having threaded and reduced end portions 24, 26 and 28, 30, respectively. The Adesired spacing of the shafts 20 and 22 is maintained by securing the ends thereof in two separate housings 32 and 34. Each of these housings is provided with a horizontal cross member 36 and 38, respectively, and ya pair of collars 46, 52 and 44, 46, respectively. Centrally disposed along the horizontal connecting bars 36 and 38 are a pair of collars 43 and 50 for engaging ythe vertically disposed shafts 52 and 53, respectively. These vertically disposed shafts serve las the pivotal axis for angular adjustment of the pressure roller support frame 8. The shafts and 22 are secured in the housings 32 and 34 by means of the nuts 24', 26', 28 and 311'.

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that each of the vertical shafts 211 and 22 supports a two-section collar S6 |and 58, which collars are mounted approximately equidistant from the ends of the respective shafts. These collars comprise an outer portion 611 which is fastened to the inner portion 62 by means of the threaded bolts 64 and 66 in cooperation with the nuts designated by the reference numeral 68. Integral with the inner portion 62 of the collars 56 and 58 and extending therebetween is the arm 72. Integral with the collar 56 is an outwardly extending arm portion 74 similar in structure to the arm 7@ integral with the collar Sti.

As more clearly shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, a pressure roller 78 is journaled between the arm 72 and the extension 35 yand is driven by the hydraulic drive motor 80, supported on the extension 115 of the arm 74. As described below, a second pressure roller 76 is journaled between the arms 7i) and 72, thereby serving the purpose of an idler roller. However, it should be here understood that a hydraulic drive similar to the motor S0 could easily be provided for the pressure roller 76, if it it were desired to exert greater compressive forces on the passing elongate tubular stock. Thus, for purposes `of explanation and description, the single motor drive 80 is described in connection with the pressure roller 7S.

As seen in FIGURE 4, the convention-al hydraulic drive motor 80 has an output drive shaft 82 extending therefrom and journaled in the outer bearing 84. The shaft S2 is rigidly connected to the circular rotating colllar 86 at one side thereof (shown in dotted line) and a second drive shaft 88 is connected to the other side of the collar 86 opposite the drive shaft 82 for transmitting rotating forces thereto. The shaft 3S extends through the extension 85 of the arm 74 and into a recessed 'area 9@ wherein the spindle bearing 92 supports the shaft SS for rotation therein. The pressure roller 7S has an internal bore 94 therein through which the shaft S8 extends and is then journaled in the arm 72 of the pressure roller support frame. Another bearing 96 is Iprovided in the recess 71 of the arm 72 which accepts the end of the shaft 8S.

In order to maintain proper compressive forces on the passing elongate tubular stock 121, it is necessary to provide a convex face on .the pressure rollers 76 and 78 which engage the stock. The pressure roller 76, as discussed above, is shown as an idler roller in the machine of FIG- URES 4 and 5. However, as also noted above, the same can be driven in a similar manner as the pressure roller 78. Pressure roller 76 is also provided with a convex face around the periphery thereof and is journaled for rotation between the arms 72 and '711 by means lof the shaft 98. A pair of spindle bearings 11111 and 1112 are provided to maintain proper rotation and alignment lof the pressure roller 76.

As previously mentioned in connection with the description of the overall straightening apparatus, a rotating peripheral ring roller 104 is `mounted on the support frame generally designated by the reference numeral 1t). This planetary ring roller 104 is disposed in a vertical plan between the shafts 211 and 22 of the pressure roller frame 8. The planetary ring roller 1114 is further provided with a V-belt engaging groove 1116 on one peripher-al edge 105 thereof. The internal periphery 1118 of the planetary ring roller 1114 is tapered from a narrow portion on one face thereof, to the wide opening at the outer face around which the V-belt groove 106 is disposed. The planetary ring roller 1114 is journaled for trunnion 12 within the horizontal plane.

rotation within the frame 10 by means of a ring bearing' having ythe roller bearings 112 supported therein. Mounted within the internal periphery of the planetary ring roller 1114 is a tapered circular surface 114 having an extending rim portion 116 connected to the recess 117 in the planetary ring roller 104 by means of a fastener 118. The fasteners 118 comprise a plurality of screw threaded bolts 12) and washers 122 mounted around vthe periphery of the plate 116 as best shown in FIGURE 1. In this manner, it is possible to selectively remove the internal tapered surfa-ce or roller 114 from the planetary ring roller 104 when it is desired .to change the taper or diameter thereof.

A conventional hydraulic drive motor 124 is mounted on the planetary ring supporting frame 11i at the outer end 131 thereof, as best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. The motor mounting and the drive shaft extension therefrom consist of the drive shaft 126 extending outwardly from the mot-or housing 124 and journaled in the bearing 131i. The shaft 126 is rigidly connected t0 the circular collar 132 on one side thereof and a drive shaft extension 134 is connected to the other side of the circular collar 132. The shaft 134 is journaled in the bearings 136 and 13S, thereby maintaining the proper support and alignment -of the drive shaft. At the end 140 of the drive shaft 134 remote from the col-lar 132 is la pulley member 142 secured thereto. As seen in FIGURE l, the shaft 134 is connected to the pulley member 142 by means of a key 141 and slot 143 arrangement. Thus, rapid removal of the pulley from lthe shaft is possible where desired. By means of pulley member 142, and an endless V-belt 144 reeved thereabout and extending over the V-notch 1116 of the peripheral ring roller 1114, this ring roller and the cooperating tapered internal surface 114 are driven thereby. For purposes of safety, a V-belt cover 146 is removably mounted on the planetary ring roller support frame 1d, as seen in FIGURE 4. For purposes of better showing the invention and cooperating structure, the frame 11i in FGURE 1 is shown With the protective cover 146 removed therefrom.

As previously described above, the peripheral ring roller support frame 111 is pivotally supported on the trunnion 12 for horizontal pivotal movement. As seen in FIGURES 4 and 6, the turn wheel 16 is supported by its mounting bar 151i, 151, and connected through a shaft 152 which is provided with a gearing arrangement 154 for engaging the arcuately shaped rack 156 attached to the planetary ring roller support frame 1t). In this manner the frame is pivoted about its vertical axis on the The shaft 152 is journaled in the support structure and 15S so that rotating movement of the same meshes the gear 154 with the arcuate rack 156 on the planetary ring roller support frame 111. In order to properly guide the planetary ring r-oller support frame 1t), a forwardly extending guide member 160 is attached to the front end of the frame 111, as seen in FIGURE 4, and has a downwardly extending arm portion 162 for engaging a slot 164 on the base or main frame 6 of the straightening machine. The slot 164 is disposed between the removable frame portion 16S attached to the main frame 6 by means of the bolts and 172 and a recess portion 174 rearwardly thereof. Thus, the maximum horizontal movement about the vertical axis upon which the peripheral ring frame 10 may move is dictated by the ends 176 and 17S of the slot164.

The angular disposition of the pressure roller support frame 8 is adjusted in a similar manner to that previously described in connection with the angular adjustment of the planetary ring roller support frame 10 about its vertical axis. The turn wheel 14 is journaled in the supports and 182 by means of the extending shaft 184 connected thereto and the ring bearings 186 and 188 which. are laterally spaced from one another. In the medial portion of the shaft 184 is disposed a worm gear 190 similar to the gear 154 on the shaft 152. This worm gear 190 meshes with the gear 192 disposed on the arm 194 extending from the horizontal connector member 38 connecting the two vertical shafts 20 and 22 of the pressure roller supporting frame. By means of this arrangement, it is possible to turn the entire pressure roller supporting frame 8 about its vertical axis 50, 52 and there- Iby adjusting the size of the passageway for accepting the elongate tubular stock within the planetary ring roller 104.

Depending on the diameter of the tubular stock which is being worked by the straightening apparatus, the specific location or orientation of the pressure rollers 76 and 78 within the inner contines of the planetary ring roller member 104 and the tapered surface 114 may be adjusted not only as to its angular disposition about the vertical axis previously mentioned, but also may be adjusted with respect to the vertical disposition of the pressure rollers '76 and 78. In this regard, applicant has provided an adjustable stroke air cylinder generally designated by the reference numeral 200, shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4. This adjustable stroke air cylinder is of a conventional type commonly operating on an air pressure within the range of 75 to 125 p.s.i.a. The cylinder is enclosed by the main frame or base portion 6 and is supplied with air pressure from a source not shown in the drawings. By means of a turn wheel 202 and a vertically depending shaft 204 the operator of the straightening machine may adjust the desired working air pressure and maintain the same at a constant level.

Upon actuation of the cylinder 200, a piston 206 is extended downwardly therefrom. Within the confines of the outer wall of the base section 6 a pivoted lever arm 208 is supported on a sliding block 210 by the shaft member 212 for vertical pivoting movement. At the base of the pressure roller supporting frame 8 and within the base section 6, is disposed a shaft member 214 having the shaft 50 attached to the upper end thereof for engagement with the horizontal connector arm 38. Consequently, upon actuation of the air cylinder 200 and the extension of the piston 206 a force is transmitted through the shaft 218 to the lever arm 208 which pivots about the shaft 212 and thereby exerts an upward force on the member 214 through the shaft 220. This structure is shown in FIGURE 2, in a substantially reduced scale. In this manner, the passageway defined by the surfaces of the pressure rollers 76 Iand 78 and the tapered surface 114 connected to the planetary ring roller member 104, is selectively adjustable according to the size of the elongate tubular stock which is to be straightened by the present invention. As shown in FIGURE 4, the lever connection 208 between the piston 216 and the member 214 at the bottom of the pressure roller frame 8 is disposed in an angular relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the planetary ring roller support frame 10.

In operation of the rotary straightening machine, described herein, a length of elongate tubular stock which has been generally designated by reference numeral 1S is progressively engaged about spaced points on one peripheral portion of the stock by the side working edges 113 of the unitary planetary ring roller 114 during its rotation in a iirst direction by means of the hydraulic motor 124. As stated above, the ring roller is driven through the corresponding drive means connected to the pulley 142 and subsequently the V-belt 144 engaging the V- groove 106 in the planetary ring roller 104. On the opposite peripheral portion of the stock 18, one of the pressure rollers 76 progressively engages one side of the stock while the roller is rotating in an overlying relation to the side working edge of the planetary ring roller and the tapered working edge 115.

The pressure rollers 76 and 78 are rotated in a common direction opposite to that of the rotation of the planetary ring roller and the tapered surface which partially surround the pressure rollers disposed in the central portion thereof. The axis of rotation of the planetary ring roller 104 and the cooperating tapered surface 114 attached thereto makes an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the passing stock 18. The axis of rotation of the pressure rollers 76 and 78 makes an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the stock 18, which angle has been found to produce the most desirable results when of the magnitude of between 5 and 30 degrees. As will be seen from FIGURES 4 and 5, the axis of rotation of the pressure roller 76 is spaced in a parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the pressure roller 78. The roller 78 progressively engages the other side portion on the top periphery of the passing stock and this roller is disposed in overlying relation as well as to the side edge of the planetary rotating ring roller 104. Each of the acute angles defined by the rotating axes of the pressure rollers 76 and 78, and the longitudinal Vaxis of the elongate tubular stock 18 are at least substantially of the same magnitude.

The progressive engagement of the rotating surfaces with the passing elongate stock is carried out such that at any given time, any given cross section of the elongate stock is engaged by the rotating surfaces only on the bottom periphery thereof and one side portion of the top periphery. The spacing between the rollers 76 and 78 and the working edges of the tapered surface 114 define the elongate tubular stock receiving passageway therebetween. It therefore becomes necessary for the passing stock to engage the rotating ring and both the pressure rollers whenever a straightening operation takes place. Both of the pressure rollers 76 and 78, as previously mentioned, are supported by a common frame member disposed within the ring member and the shafts of the rollers 'I6 and 78 are journaled in opposite faces of the support frame generally designated by the reference numeral 8.

By means of the various adjusting mechanisms previously described, the spacing between the pressure rollers 76 and 78 and the planetary ring roller member 104 may be adjusted, thereby changing the size of the passageway to accommodate tubular stock of varying sizes. It should also be here noted that the tubular stock is not only straightened during the passage through the space defined by the rotating surfaces but it is also rotated by means of its engagement with the rotating surfaces. Consequently, it is possible to assure substantially total engagement and straightening of the tubular stock by the pressure rollers 76 and 73, the rotating planetary ring roller member and the cooperating surfaces on the internal portion thereof.

In the normal operation of the straightening machine, sutiicient pressure is exerted by the hydraulic cylinder 200 on the pressure roller support frame 8 so that constant engagement by the pressure rollers with the passing elongate tubular stock is maintained. However, in the event of a possibility of the tubular stock having an irregularity or an expanded section therein, it is necessary to set the pressure exerted by the pressure rollers on the tubular stock at a certain predetermined level. Accordingly, a bleeder valve 221 is provided for allowing the pressure rollers '76 and 78 to disengage the tubular stock when the predetermined value or pressure level is exceeded. For example, the tubular stock passing through the passageway defined by the rotating surfaces may have an expanded section therein, which, if the pressure of the rollers 76 and 78 was maintained on the stock would damage these rollers and thus require repair or replacement of the same. Therefore, by means of the bleeder valve 221 any increased pressure beyond the predetermined value causes a pivoting of the support frame 8 about its vertical axis and thereby allows disengagement of the pressure rollers 76 and 78 from the tubular stock 18. In other words, the pressure control means maintains the frame and thereby the pressure rollers in the given position with respect to the planetary ring roller member and the tapered surface only so long as the pressure exerted by the passing tubular stock on the pressure rollers is below the predetermined value.

In view of the fact that the straightening operation is carried out within the confines of the rotating planetary ring roller and its cooperating tapered surface it is not necessary that a long span of tubular stock be used in order to straighten any portion thereof. Furthermore, the need for adjustable guides is also done away with since the passageway defined -by the rotating surfaces is of such small magnitude that proper alignment is not critical. By means of the various adjusting mechanisms previously described in connection with the overall apparatus, it is possible to accommodate tubular stock ranging from one quarter inch to 4 inch ldiameters `with the present straightening machine of the instant invention.

As shown in FIGURE 7, the planetary ring roller 104 and the tapered internal surface 115 are turning or rotating in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 117 while the pressure roller 78 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 119. Consequently, compressive forces are exerted at spaced points on the periphery of the tubular stock 18, namely at the points 123 and 125, while the same is rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 127. Since the showing of FIGURE 7 is a schematic of the sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5, the pressure roller 76 is not seen in this view. However, if the same would be shown, it would be spaced vertically and within the same horizontal plane as the pressure roller 78, but exerting a compressive force on the passing elongate tubular stock at a spaced point from the other roller.

After reading the foregoing description of the preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of the present specication have been successfully achieved.

Accordingly what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for straightening alongate tubular stock comprising, in combination:

(a) a hollow ring member having an internal straightening face between side working edges thereof;

(b) means supporting said ring member for rotation;

(c) means for driving said ring member;

(d) first roller means;

(e) second roller means;

(f) lmeans for rotatably supporting said rst and second roller means at least partially within said ring member with said rst roller means disposed in overlying relation to one Working edge of said straightening face and with said second roller means disposed in overlying relation to the other working edge of said straightening face;

(g) said rst and second roller means being rotatable about parallel axes making an acute angle with the axis of rotation of said ring member; and,

(h) said first and second roller means being spaced from one another and from said ring member to define an elongate tubular stock receiving passageway therebetween through which elongate stock can pass only by engagement with said first and second roller means and said ring member.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said lirst and second roller means includes a common support element disposed within said ring member, said support element having one end of each of said roller means journaled in opposite faces thereof.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said rst and second roller means for supporting said ring member comprises a ring frame and means mounting said ring frame for pivotal movement about an axis disposed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of each of said roller means and the axis of rotation of said ring member.

5. The combination dened in claim 4 and further including means for pivotally adjusting at least one of said frames relative to the other.

6. The combination defined in claim 4 and further including first and second independently operable adjustment means for respectively pre-setting the pivotal positions of said roller frame and said ring frame.

7. The combination deiined in claim 3 wherein said means mounting said roller frame further includes means for adjusting the spacing between said roller means and said ring member so that the size of said passageway can be adjustably pre-set to accommodate tubular stock of varying size.

8. Apparatus for straightening elongate tubular stock comprising, in combination:

(a) a hollow ring member having an internal convex straightening face between side working edges;

(b) means supporting said ring member for rotation;

(c) means for driving said ring member;

(d) irst roller means;

(e) second roller means;

(f) frame means for rotatably supporting said first and second roller means at least partially within said ring member with said first roller means disposed in overlying relation to one working edge of said straightening face and with said second roller means disposed in overlying relation to the other working edge of said straightening face;

(g) said first and second rollers being rotatable about parallel axes making an acute angle with the axis of rotation of said ring member;

(h) said first and second roller -means being arcuately spaced from one another and from said ring member to define an elongate tubular stock receiving passa-geway therebetween through which elongate stock can pass only by engagement with said rst and second roller means and said ring member;

(i) means for adjustably supporting said frame means for movement with respect to said ring member whereby the spacing between said roller means and said ring member is adjustable; and,

(j) pressure control means for maintaining said frame means and thereby said roller means in a given position with respect to said ring member only so long as the pressures exerted by the stock on said roller means is below a predetermined value.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said pressure control means comprises an adjustable pressure sensitive biasing means operable in response to pressure above said predetermined value to permit said frame means to move to a position increasing the spacing between said roller means and said ring member.

10. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said means for adjustably supporting said frame means includes means mounting said frame means for pivotal movement about an axis disposed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of each of said roller means and the axis of rotation of said ring member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,907 3/1897 Wootton 72-98 1,097,281 5/1914 Abramsen 72-98 1,190,698 7/1916 Abramsen 72-98 2,163,669 6/'1939 Didden 72-98 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING ELONGATE TUBULAR STOCK COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A HOLLOW RING MEMBER HAVING AN INTERNAL STRAIGHTENING FACE BETWEEN SIDE WORKING EDGES THEREOF; (B) MEANS SUPPORTING SAID RING MEMBER FOR ROTATION; (C) MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID RING MEMBER; (D) FIRST ROLLER MEANS; (E) SECOND ROLLER MEANS; (F) MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLER MEANS AT LEAST PARTIALLY WITHIN SAID RING MEMBER WITH SAID FIRST ROLLER MEANS DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO ONE WORKING EDGE OF SAID STRAIGHTENING FACE AND WITH SAID SECOND ROLLER MEANS DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO THE OTHER WORKING EDGE OF SAID STRAIGHTENING FACE; (G) SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLER MEANS BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT PARALLEL AXES MAKING AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID RING MEMBER; AND, (H) SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLER MEANS BEING SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND FROM SAID RING MEMBER TO DEFINE AN ELONGATE TUBULAR STOCK RECEIVING PASSAGEWAY THEREBETWEEN THROUGH WHICH ELONGATE STOCK CAN PASS ONLY BY ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLER MEANS AND SAID RING MEMBER.

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