US3751623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and device for producing thin walled or extra-thin walled smooth tubes by welding
Assignee: Tubest SA
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Filing: 1971-06-09
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for thin-walled tubes from strips having a thickness of 0.03 - 0.7 mm, for example, wherein the tube blank formed by curving the strip is continuously moved past a stationary electrode to weld the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Doublet F Noel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:32
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/08; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/02; B23K9/025; B23K9/0253
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a device for continuously producing smooth tubes having thin to extra-thin walls from a continuous strip of sheet metal of the type having a horizontally arranged series of roller pairs for forming the continuous strip first into a gutter and then into the outline of a tube with a circular section open at its upper part, additional means for forming an exterior oriented lip on each of edges at the upper part of said tube blank and means for aligning and welding said lips, the improvement comprising adjustable mounting means for a plurality of said pairs of forming rollers whereby the tube blank as it travels toward said welding means is made to travel along an upwardly sloping line to compensate for the difference in length of travel between the edge portions and the center portions of the strip, and means to introduce protective gas to the interior of the tube adjacent the lips of the tube blank in the region of the welding electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a device for continuously producing smooth tubes having thin to extra-thin walls from a continuous strip of sheet metal of the type having a horizontally arranged series of roller pairs for forming the continuous strip first into a gutter and then into the outline of a tube with a circular section open at its upper part, additional means for forming an exterior oriented lip on each of edges at the upper part of said tube blank and means for aligning and welding said lips, the improvement comprising adjustable mounting means for a plurality of said pairs of forming rollers whereby the tube blank as it travels toward said welding means is made to travel along an upwardly sloping line to compensate for the difference in length of travel between the edge portions and the center portions of the strip, and means to introduce protective gas to the interior of the tube adjacent the lips of the tube blank in the region of the welding electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said roller pairs for forming the continuous strip include means for preforming the exterior oriented lips on the edge portions of the tube blank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising tubular die means down-stream of the pairs of forming rollers, and boot means down-stream of said die means for forming the lips on the edge portions of the tube blank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as claimed in claim 5 comprising tubular die means down-stream of the pairs of forming rollers, and boot means down-stream of said die means for completing the formation of the lips initiated by said roller pairs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lip-preforming roller pairs include a final pair of rollers having vertical axes.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for continuously producing smooth tubes having thin to extra-thin walls from a continuous strip of sheet metal, of the type having a horizontally arranged series of roller pairs for forming the continuous strip first into a gutter and then into the outline of a tube with a circular section open at its upper part, comprising die means which includes means for forming a pair of exterior lips oriented with respect to each other on the respective edges of the tube blank, means for aligning said pair of lips and bringing them adjacent to one another, a stationary welding electrode adjacent said aligning means and positioned to operate on said aligned lips, means for continuously drawing the tube blank through the aligning means and past said stationary welding electrode, and means to introduce protective gas to the interior of said tube adjacent said lips in the region of said welding electrode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for continuously producing smooth tubes having thin to extra-thin walls from a continuous strip of sheet metal, of the type having a horizontally arranged series of roller pairs for forming the continuous strip first into a gutter and then into the outline of a tube with a circular section open at its upper part, comprising die means which includes means for forming a pair of exterior lips oriented with respect to each other on the respective edges of the tube blank, means for aligning said pair of lips and bringing them adjacent to one another, a stationary welding electrode adjacent said aligning means and positioned to operate on said aligned lips, means for continuously drawing the tube blank through the aligning means and past said stationary welding electrode, and means to introduce protective gas to the interior of said tube adjacent said lips in the region of said welding electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said means for forming the pair of exterior oriented lips comprises tubular die means down stream of the roller pairs for forming the tube blank and a boot means positioned down stream of said die means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tubular die means comprises two portions separated along a diametrical horizontal plane, said boot means being attached to the Upper portion of the tubular die means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the upper portion of said tubular die means is shifted upstream with respect to the lower portion thereof whereby to extend the distance between said upper portion and the welding electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for aligning said pair of lips comprises a pair of external half-shells surrounding the tube and positioned below the welding electrode, each of said half-shells being mounted to freely pivot about a horizontal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pivotally mounted half-shells are resiliently mounted on their horizontal axes to urge the same together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for aligning said pairs of lips includes an upper plate, means for clamping said plate onto the pair of half-shells, said plate containing a median groove for engaging the two lips of the tube blank, said plate ending adjacent to the welding electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said half-shells contain bores for the circulation of cooling fluid, means for feeding cooling fluid through said bores.
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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |