US3602027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simultaneous finning and reforming of tubular heat transfer surface
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved machine for forming integral, radially extending, helical fins on tubes incorporates a novel spindle which both forms and then modifies the fins after they are formed to improve heat transfer characteristics of the tubing. Two modifying operations, knurling and bending or shaping the newly formed helical fins, are shown. The improved spindle can be utilized on virtually all finning machines to produce tubing of desired geometry.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Klug
- 👤 Chester D Ware
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:31
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/15; B21C37/20; B21C37/207; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49377; Y10T29/49378; Y10T29/49382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In an apparatus for forming radially extending, helical fins on the exterior surface of tubular stock, said apparatus including a base, support means communicating with said base for supporting a tube to be finned, head means operatively connected to said base and having at least one spindle rotatably mounted thereon, drive means for providing relative rotary motion between said spindle and said tube, and a plurality of fin-forming dies axially mounted on said spindle for sequentially engaging said tube to form a helical fin thereon, the improvement comprising: a fin-reforming die mounted on said spindle axially spaced from said fin-forming dies, said fin-reforming die having a fin engaging surface for engaging the fin helix along substantially the entire length of the tube and thereby modifying the fin configuration without interrupting the continuous fin helix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an apparatus for forming radially extending, helical fins on the exterior surface of tubular stock, said apparatus including a base, support means communicating with said base for supporting a tube to be finned, head means operatively connected to said base and having at least one spindle rotatably mounted thereon, drive means for providing relative rotary motion between said spindle and said tube, and a plurality of fin-forming dies axially mounted on said spindle for sequentially engaging said tube to form a helical fin thereon, the improvement comprising: a fin-reforming die mounted on said spindle axially spaced from said fin-forming dies, said fin-reforming die having a fin engaging surface for engaging the fin helix along substantially the entire length of the tube and thereby modifying the fin configuration without interrupting the continuous fin helix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fin engaging surface is longitudinally serrated, said fin-reforming die being oriented on said spindle so that the serrations are transverse to said fins whereby the edge portions of said fins are knurled by said fin-reforming die.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an apparatus for forming radially extending, helical fins on the exterior surface of tubular stock, said apparatus including a base, support means communicating with said base for supporting a tube to be finned, head means operatively connected to said base and having at least one spindle rotatably mounted thereon, drive means for providing relative rotary motion between said spindle and said tube, and a plurality of fin-forming dies axially mounted on said spindle for sequentially engaging said tube to form a helical fin thereon, the improvement comprising: a fin-reforming die mounted on said spindle axially spaced from said fin-forming dies, said fin-reforming die having an inclined surface for engaging a segment of said helical fin and bending it toward the next adjacent segment in a continuous manner along the fin helix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an apparatus for forming radially extending, helical fins on the exterior surface of tubular stock, said apparatus including a base, support means communicating with said base for supporting a tube to be finned, head means operatively connected to said base and having at least one spindle rotatably mounted thereon, drive means for providing relative rotary motion between said spindle and said tube, and a plurality of fin-forming dies axially mounted on said spindle for sequentially engaging said tube to form a helical fin thereon, the improvement comprising: a fin-reforming die mounted on said spindle axially spaced from said fin-forming dies, said fin-reforming die having an inclined surface for engaging a segment of said helical fin and bending it toward the next adjacent segment in a continuous manner along the fin helix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said inclined surface is inclined linearly in a direction away from said fin helix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said inclined surface is concave.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said head means has first and second spindles rotatably mounted thereon, each of said spindles having axially spaced fin-forming dies and a fin-reforming die mounted thereon, said fin-reforming die of said first spindle having a linearly inclined surface for engaging a segment of said helical fin and bending it toward the next adjacent segment in a continuous manner, said fin-reforming die of said second spindle having a concavely inclined surface for engaging said segment of said fin previously engaged by said first fin-reforming die, said second fin-reforming die rolling said segment further toward the next adjacent segment in a continuous manner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |