Continuous material deformation process and apparatus therefor

Claim 2

Method of performing a continuous deforming operation on a workpiece against a deforming agency, which comprises: continuously and uninterruptedly during the performance of said deforming operation performing the alternate steps of: i. advancing the workpiece against the deforming agency to deform the workpiece, and ii. advancing the deforming agency against the workpiece to deform the workpiece.

Claim 3

Method according to claim 1 wherein said deforming agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element, and said workpiece is passed within said controlled flow of pressurized fluid to deform said workpiece.

Claim 4

Method according to claim 1 wherein said deforming agency is an extrusion die and said workpiece is passed through said extrusion die to deform said workpiece.

Claim 5

Method according to claim 1 wherein alternately advancing said workpiece and said deforming agency establishes a relative velocity therebetween and further including the step of maintaining said relative velocity constant during successive alternate advancements.

Claim 8

Method according to claim 5 wherein said deforming agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element and including the step of passing said workpiece within said controlled flow of pressurized fluid to deform said workpiece.

Claim 9

Method according to claim 5 wherein said deforming agency is an extrusion die and said workpiece is passed through said extrusion die to deform said workpiece.

Claim 10

Method according to claim 5 wherein said alternately advancing of said workpiece and said deforming agency establishes a relative velocity therebetween, and further including the step of maintaining said relative velocity substantially constant during successive alternate advancements of said deforming agency and said workpiece.

Claim 11

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length, comprising the steps of: intermittently advancing said workpiece against a deforming agency; intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece; controlling the intermittent advancements of said workpiece and said deforming agency to maintain a relative velocity between said workpiece and said deforming agency to continuously deform the workpiece and to produce said product.

Claim 12

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length, comprising the steps of: intermittently advancing said workpiece against a deforming agency; intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece; controlling the intermittent advancements of said workpiece and said deforming agency to maintain a relative velocity between said workpiece and said deforming agency to continuously deform the workpiece and to produce said product.

Claim 13

Method according to claim 9 wherein said step of continuously deforming the workpiece against said deforming agency comprises: subjecting said workpiece to a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element, the pressure of which fluid against said workpiece deforms said workpiece.

Claim 14

Method according to claim 9 wherein said step of continuously deforming the workpiece against said deforming agency comprises: passing said workpiece through an extrusion die.

Claim 15

Method according to claim 9 wherein said step of intermittently advancing said workpiece against a deforming agency comprises the steps of: engaging said workpiece with an engaging means: advancing said engaging means toward said deforming agency while maintaining said engaging means in engagement with said workpiece; and engaging said engaging means from said workpiece.

Claim 16

Method according to claim 9 and further including the step of: maintaining said workpiece stationary during a portion of said step of intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece.

Claim 17

Method according to claim 9 and further including the step of: retracting said deforming agency during the advancement of said workpiece against said deforming agency.

Claim 18

Method according to claim 12 and further including the step of: retracting said engaging means away from said deforming agency during said step of intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece.

Claim 19

Method of deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length, comprising the steps of: pressurizing said workpiece; intermittently advancing said pressurized workpiece against a deforming agency; intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said pressurized workpiece; controlling the intermittent advancements of said pressurized workpiece and said deforming agency to maintain a relative velocity between said pressurized workpiece and said deforming agency; and continuously deforming the pressurized workpiece against said deforming agency to produce said product.

Claim 20

Method of deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length, comprising the steps of: pressurizing said workpiece; intermittently advancing said pressurized workpiece against a deforming agency; intermittently advancing said deforming agency against said pressurized workpiece; controlling the intermittent advancements of said pressurized workpiece and said deforming agency to maintain a relative velocity between said pressurized workpiece and said deforming agency; and continuously deforming the pressurized workpiece against said deforming agency to produce said product.

Claim 21

Method according to claim 16 wherein said steps of pressurizing said workpiece comprises: subjecting said workpiece to a pressurized fluid.

Claim 22

Method according to claim 16 wherein said step of continuously deforming said workpiece against said deforming agency comprises: subjectIng said workpiece to a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element, the pressure of which fluid against said workpiece deforms said workpiece.

Claim 23

Method according to claim 18 wherein said step of pressurizing said workpiece comprises subjecting said workpiece to a pressurized fluid; and further including the step of: displacing said pressurized fluid to establish said controlled flow of pressurized fluid.

Claim 24

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to form a product of indefinite length comprising the steps of: establishing a relative velocity of advance of said workpiece against said deforming agency to deform said workpiece; and maintaining said relative velocity of advance by alternately displacing said deforming agency against said workpiece and thereafter displacing said workpiece against said deforming agency to continuously deform said workpiece.

Claim 25

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to form a product of indefinite length comprising the steps of: establishing a relative velocity of advance of said workpiece against said deforming agency to deform said workpiece; and maintaining said relative velocity of advance by alternately displacing said deforming agency against said workpiece and thereafter displacing said workpiece against said deforming agency to continuously deform said workpiece.

Claim 26

Method of claim 20 wherein said step of displacing said workpiece against said deforming agency includes engaging said workpiece with a workpiece advancing means, advancing said workpiece and thereafter disengaging said workpiece advancing means.

Claim 27

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length including the steps of: establishing and continuously maintaining a substantially constant velocity of approach of an intermittently moving workpiece relative to an intermittently moving deforming agency, said deforming agency comprising a controlled flow of pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element; and continuously deforming said workpiece against said deforming agency to produce said product.

Claim 28

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length including the steps of: establishing and continuously maintaining a substantially constant velocity of approach of an intermittently moving workpiece relative to an intermittently moving deforming agency, said deforming agency comprising a controlled flow of pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element; and continuously deforming said workpiece against said deforming agency to produce said product.

Claim 29

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length by a cyclical extrusion process wherein each cycle comprises the steps of: advancing said workpiece against a deforming agency to effect deformation of the workpiece; and thereafter, advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece to effect further deformation of said workpiece; and controlling said advancing of said workpiece and said advancing of said deforming agency so as to maintain a relative rate of advance of said workpiece against said deforming agency.

Claim 30

Method for deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length by a cyclical extrusion process wherein each cycle comprises the steps of: advancing said workpiece against a deforming agency to effect deformation of the workpiece; and thereafter, advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece to effect further deformation of said workpiece; and controlling said advancing of said workpiece and said advancing of said deforming agency so as to maintain a relative rate of advance of said workpiece against said deforming agency.

Claim 31

Method according to claim 23 wherein said step of advancing said workpiece comprises engaging said workpiece by an advancing means, advancing said advancing means while maintaining said engagement with said workpiece, and thereafter disengaging said advancing means from said workpiece.

Claim 32

Method according to claim 24 and further including the step of retracting said deforming agency during said step of advancing said workpiece.

Claim 33

Method according to claim 24 and further including the step of retracting said advancing means during said step of advancing said deforming agency.

Claim 34

Method according to claim 26 and further including the step of pressurizing said workpiece prior to deforming said workpiece.

Claim 35

Method according to claim 27 wherein said step of pressurizing comprises subjecting said workpiece to a pressure transmitting fluid and pressurizing said fluid.

Claim 36

Method according to claim 28 wherein said deforming agency comprises an extrusion die and deformation of said workpiece comprises: passing said workpiece through said extrusion die.

Claim 37

Method according to claim 28 wherein said deforming agency comprises a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element and deformation of said workpiece comprises: passing said workpiece through said controlled flow of pressurized fluid.

Claim 38

Method according to claim 23 and further including the step of maintaining said workpiece stationary during said step of advancing said deforming agency, by engaging said workpiece with a stationary clamping means.

Claim 39

Method according to claim 24 and further includes the step of maintaining said workpiece stationary during said step of advancing said deforming agency, by engaging said workpiece with a stationary clamping means.

Claim 40

Method according to claim 32 and further including the step of applying support pressure to the surface of said workpiece between said stationary clamping means and said deforming agency.

Claim 41

Method according to claim 33 wherein said step of applying support pressure is accomplished, at least in part, by subjecting at least a portion of the surface of said workpiece to a support fluid medium.

Claim 42

Method according to claim 34 wherein said workpiece advancing means and said stationary clamping means are operable between closed and open position in response to the pressurization of said support fluid medium.

Claim 43

Apparatus for performing a continuous deforming operation on material comprising: a deforming agency; and means for continuously and uninterruptedly, during the performance of said deforming operation, alternately advancing said deforming agency against said material to deform said material and for alternately advancing said material against said deforming agency to continuously deform said material.

Claim 44

Apparatus for performing a continuous deforming operation on material comprising: a deforming agency; and means for continuously and uninterruptedly, during the performance of said deforming operation, alternately advancing said deforming agency against said material to deform said material and for alternately advancing said material against said deforming agency to continuously deform said material.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said deforming agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element.

Claim 46

Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said deforming agency is an extrusion die.

Claim 47

Apparatus according to claim 36 and further including means for coordinating the advance of said deforming agency and said means for advancing said material to maintain a constant relative velocity therebetween during deformation.

Claim 48

Apparatus for continuously deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length comprising: a deforming agency; means for alternately advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece and for alternately advancing said workpiece against said deforming agency to continuously deform said workpiece and produce said product; and means for controlling said alternate advancing to maintain a constant predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said workpiece during said deformation.

Claim 49

Apparatus for continuously deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of indefinite length comprising: a deforming agency; means for alternately advancing said deforming agency against said workpiece and for alternately advancing said workpiece against said deforming agency to continuously deform said workpiece and produce said product; and means for controlling said alternate advancing to maintain a constant predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said workpiece during said deformation.

Claim 50

Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said deforming agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element.

Claim 51

Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said deforming agency is an extrusion die.

Claim 52

Apparatus according to claim 40 and further including reciprocating means for engaging said workpiece to advance said workpiece toward said deforming agency and further including means for engaging and disengaging said workpiece to selectively maintain said workpiece stationary.

Claim 53

Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said reciprocating means for engaging said workpiece and said means for maintaining said workpiece stationary are segmented clamps.

Claim 54

Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said segmented clamps are operable between workpiece engaging and workpiece disengaging positions in response to the exertion of fluid pressures thereon.

Claim 55

Apparatus for continuously deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of an indefinite length, comprising: a deforming agency; means for alternately advancing and retracting said deforming agency; stationary clamp means for engaging said workpiece and maintaining said workpiece stationary during said deformation agency advancement and for disengaging said workpiece during said deforming agency retraction; reciprocating clamp means for engaging said workpiece and for advancing said workpiece toward saId deforming agency during said deforming agency retraction, and for disengaging said workpiece and retracting during said deforming agency advancement; said deforming agency engaging said workpiece during the advancement of said agency to deform said workpiece to produce said product and said workpiece engaging said deforming agency during the said advancement of said workpiece to deform said workpiece to produce said product; and means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and said reciprocating clamp means advancement and retraction to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said workpiece during said workpiece deformation.

Claim 56

Apparatus for continuously deforming a workpiece of indefinite length to produce a product of an indefinite length, comprising: a deforming agency; means for alternately advancing and retracting said deforming agency; stationary clamp means for engaging said workpiece and maintaining said workpiece stationary during said deformation agency advancement and for disengaging said workpiece during said deforming agency retraction; reciprocating clamp means for engaging said workpiece and for advancing said workpiece toward saId deforming agency during said deforming agency retraction, and for disengaging said workpiece and retracting during said deforming agency advancement; said deforming agency engaging said workpiece during the advancement of said agency to deform said workpiece to produce said product and said workpiece engaging said deforming agency during the said advancement of said workpiece to deform said workpiece to produce said product; and means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and said reciprocating clamp means advancement and retraction to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said workpiece during said workpiece deformation.

Claim 57

Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said deforming agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element.

Claim 58

Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said deforming agency is an extrusion die.

Claim 59

Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said reciprocating clamp means and said stationary clamp means are segmented clamps.

Claim 60

Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said segmented clamps are operable between workpiece engaging and workpiece disengaging positions in response to the exertion of fluid pressures thereon.

Claim 61

Apparatus for continuously extruding rod of indefinite length to produce wire of indefinite length, comprising: a pressure vessel having a bore formed therein for admitting at one end thereof said rod; an extrusion agency positioned slidably within said bore adjacent the opposite end thereof; means for alternately advancing and retracting said extrusion agency within said bore adjacent said opposite end thereof; first clamp means mounted stationarily within said bore adjacent said one end thereof and for engaging said rod and maintaining said rod stationary during said extrusion agency advancement and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction; second clamp means mounted slidably within said bore intermediate said extrusion agency and said first clamp means, and said second clamp means for engaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement; means for alternately advancing and retracting said second clamp means and for advancing said second clamp means toward said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction and for retracting said second clamp means during said extrusion agency advancement; said extrusion agency engaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement to extrude said rod to form said wire and said rod engaging said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction to extrude said rod to form said wire; means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and for controlling said advancing and retracting of said second clamp means to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said rod during said rod extrusion; and said pressure vessel for receiving a body of pressurized fluid which pressurizes said rod during said rod extrusion to assist said extrusion.

Claim 62

Apparatus for continuously extruding rod of indefinite length to produce wire of indefinite length, comprising: a pressure vessel having a bore formed therein for admitting at one end thereof said rod; an extrusion agency positioned slidably within said bore adjacent the opposite end thereof; means for alternately advancing and retracting said extrusion agency within said bore adjacent said opposite end thereof; first clamp means mounted stationarily within said bore adjacent said one end thereof and for engaging said rod and maintaining said rod stationary during said extrusion agency advancement and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction; second clamp means mounted slidably within said bore intermediate said extrusion agency and said first clamp means, and said second clamp means for engaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement; means for alternately advancing and retracting said second clamp means and for advancing said second clamp means toward said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction and for retracting said second clamp means during said extrusion agency advancement; said extrusion agency engaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement to extrude said rod to form said wire and said rod engaging said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction to extrude said rod to form said wire; means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and for controlling said advancing and retracting of said second clamp means to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said rod during said rod extrusion; and said pressure vessel for receiving a body of pressurized fluid which pressurizes said rod during said rod extrusion to assist said extrusion.

Claim 63

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said extrusion agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element.

Claim 64

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said extrusion agency is an extrusion die.

Claim 65

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said first and second clamp means are segmented clamps.

Claim 66

Apparatus according to claim 54 wherein said segmented clamps are operable between said rod engaging and rod disengaging positions in response to the exertion of fluid pressures thereon.

Claim 67

Apparatus for continuously extruding rod of indefinite length to produce wire of indefinite length, comprising: a pressure vessel having a bore formed therein for admitting at one end thereof said rod; an extrusion agency positioned slidably within said bore adjacent the opposite end thereof; means for alternately advancing and retracting said extrusion agency within said bore adjacent said opposite end thereof; first clamp means mounted stationarily within said bore adjacent said one end thereof and for engaging said rod and maintaining said rod stationary during said extrusion agency advancement and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction; second clamp means mounted slidably within said bore intermediate said extrusion agency and said first clamp means, said second clamp means for engaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement; means for alternately advancing and retracting said second clamp means within said bore and for advancing said second clamp means and said rod, upon said second clamp means engaging said rod, toward said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction and for retracting said second clamp means upon said second clamp means disengaging said rod and during said extrusion agency advancement; said extrusion agency engaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement to extrude said rod to form said wire and said rod engaging said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction to extrude said rod to form said wire; and means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and said means for advancing and retracting said second clamp means to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said rod during said rod extrusion.

Claim 68

Apparatus for continuously extruding rod of indefinite length to produce wire of indefinite length, comprising: a pressure vessel having a bore formed therein for admitting at one end thereof said rod; an extrusion agency positioned slidably within said bore adjacent the opposite end thereof; means for alternately advancing and retracting said extrusion agency within said bore adjacent said opposite end thereof; first clamp means mounted stationarily within said bore adjacent said one end thereof and for engaging said rod and maintaining said rod stationary during said extrusion agency advancement and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction; second clamp means mounted slidably within said bore intermediate said extrusion agency and said first clamp means, said second clamp means for engaging said rod during said extrusion agency retraction and for disengaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement; means for alternately advancing and retracting said second clamp means within said bore and for advancing said second clamp means and said rod, upon said second clamp means engaging said rod, toward said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction and for retracting said second clamp means upon said second clamp means disengaging said rod and during said extrusion agency advancement; said extrusion agency engaging said rod during said extrusion agency advancement to extrude said rod to form said wire and said rod engaging said extrusion agency during said extrusion agency retraction to extrude said rod to form said wire; and means for controlling said deforming agency advancement and retraction and said means for advancing and retracting said second clamp means to maintain a predetermined relative velocity between said deforming agency and said rod during said rod extrusion.

Claim 69

Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said extrusion agency is a controlled flow of pressurized fluid provided by flowing pressurized fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end of the zone of deformation of a fluid control element.

Claim 70

Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said extrusion agency is an extrusion die.

Claim 71

Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said first and second clamp means are segmented clamps.

Claim 72

Apparatus according to claim 59 further comprising: first means including said bore for receiving and pressurizing a first body of fluid for surrounding and pressurizing a portion of said rod to assist said extrusion and for operating said second segmented clamp means into said engagement with said rod; second means including said bore for receiving and pressurizing a second body of fluid for operating said second segmented clamp means into disengagement with said rod and for operating said first segmented clamp means into said engagement with said rod; and third means for receiving and pressurizing a third body of fluid for operating said first segmented clamp means into said disengagement with said rod.

Claim 73

Method of continuously deforming an elongated workpiece by means of a deforming agency to produce an uninterrupted and continuous deformed product, said method comprising the following steps: a. advancing the workpiece against the deforming agency along the longitudinal axis of said workpiece in a first direction a first increment of distance, b. advancing the deforming agency against the workpiece along the longitudinal axis of said workpiece in a second direction a second increment of distance, said second direction being opposite to said first direction, c. steps (a) and (b) producing increments of deformed product, d. steps (a) and (b) being repeated seriatim, e. step (b) being commenced before the completion of step (a) and completed after the completion of step (a), f. step (a) being commenced before the completion of step (b) and completed after the completion of step (b), g. during the performance of step (a), retracting said deforming agency in said first direction said second increment of distance, h. said increments of deformed produCt in the aggregate constituting an uninterrupted and continuous deformed product.

Claim 74

Method of continuously deforming an elongated workpiece by means of a deforming agency to produce an uninterrupted and continuous deformed product, said method comprising the following steps: a. advancing the workpiece against the deforming agency along the longitudinal axis of said workpiece in a first direction a first increment of distance, b. advancing the deforming agency against the workpiece along the longitudinal axis of said workpiece in a second direction a second increment of distance, said second direction being opposite to said first direction, c. steps (a) and (b) producing increments of deformed product, d. steps (a) and (b) being repeated seriatim, e. step (b) being commenced before the completion of step (a) and completed after the completion of step (a), f. step (a) being commenced before the completion of step (b) and completed after the completion of step (b), g. during the performance of step (a), retracting said deforming agency in said first direction said second increment of distance, h. said increments of deformed produCt in the aggregate constituting an uninterrupted and continuous deformed product.

Claim 75

Method as in claim 61, further comprising: i. during the performance of step (b), securing said workpiece against movement along its longitudinal axis.

Claim 76

Method according to claim 61, wherein said deforming agency is a fluid control element having an inlet end adapted to receive said elongated workpiece and an outlet end adapted to discharge deformed product, said fluid control element providing a zone of deformation between said inlet end and said outlet end, said fluid control element being adapted to encircle a portion of the length of said elongated workpiece, said method comprising: i. producing said increments of deformed product in steps (a) and (b) by flowing pressurized fluid through the zone of deformation from the inlet end to the outlet end of said fluid control element, said flow of pressurized fluid being interposed between said elongated workpiece and said fluid control element in the zone of deformation so as to completely forceably separate said elongated work-piece and said fluid control element, said flow of pressurized fluid deforming said elongated workpiece in said zone of deformation.

Claim 77

Method according to claim 61, wherein: i. during the performance of steps (a) and (b), maintaining the relative velocity of said workpiece and said deforming agency substantially constant.