US3829948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for expanding heat exchanger tubes in tube support sheets
Assignee: Carrier Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-22
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A circular series of expandable collet sections is fixed to the inner end of a collet tube positioned in the heat exchanger tube, the collet sections in registration with the tube support sheet. The outer end of the collet tube is fixed to a housing portion connected to a cylinder structure. A rod extends through the tube and has fixed to its outer end a tapered mandrel arranged in juxtaposition to the collet sections. A shaft is journaled in the cylinder structure and is connected to the outer end of the mandrel rod by motion transmitting means operable upon rotation of the shaft to move the rod and the mandrel inwardly to effect expansion of the collet sections in engagement with the heat exchanger tube for expansion of the same in the tube support sheet. The force exerted by the shaft on the mandrel rod is applied directly to a piston arranged in a closed prepressurized air-free hydraulic system. The hydraulic system is further pressurized by movement of the piston, effecting operation of a pressure indicating gauge in the system. Accordingly, the operator can readily expand all tubes in the heat exchanger to precisely the same extent.
Inventors
- 👤 C Miller
- 👤 E Byrns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:56
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D39/08; B21D39/20; B21D39/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113; Y10T29/53122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
Apparatus for expanding heat exchanger tubes in tube receiving openings in tube supporting sheets comprising a collet tube, collet means having a circular series of expandable sections fixed to the inner end of said tube, said tube and collet sections, in collapsed condition, being dimensioned for insertion in the heat exchanger tube, a stop member adjustable in a direction axially of said collet tube for engagement with the tube sheet of the heat exchanger to position said collet sections in the heat exchanger tube in registration with the tube support sheet, housing means, the outer end of said collet tube being fixed to the housing, a cylinder structure connected to the housing, a shaft journaled in the cylinder structure, motion transmitting means connecting the inner end portion of said shaft to the outer end of a mandrel rod disposed in said collet tube and extending axially thereof, a collet expanding mandrel fixed to the inner end of said rod, said shaft being operable upon rotation in one direction to move said mandrel rod and the mandrel inwardly in said collet tube for engagement with said collet sections by said mandrel, said mandrel being operable upon such engagement to expand the collet sections against the heat exchanger tube and to expand the latter in a tube receiving opening in the support sheet, said shaft being operable upon reverse rotation to withdraw said mandrel from engagement with said collet sections, and means restraining said shaft against axial countermovement during rotation of the shaft in said one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
Apparatus for expanding heat exchanger tubes in tube receiving openings in tube supporting sheets comprising a collet tube, collet means having a circular series of expandable sections fixed to the inner end of said tube, said tube and collet sections, in collapsed condition, being dimensioned for insertion in the heat exchanger tube, a stop member adjustable in a direction axially of said collet tube for engagement with the tube sheet of the heat exchanger to position said collet sections in the heat exchanger tube in registration with the tube support sheet, housing means, the outer end of said collet tube being fixed to the housing, a cylinder structure connected to the housing, a shaft journaled in the cylinder structure, motion transmitting means connecting the inner end portion of said shaft to the outer end of a mandrel rod disposed in said collet tube and extending axially thereof, a collet expanding mandrel fixed to the inner end of said rod, said shaft being operable upon rotation in one direction to move said mandrel rod and the mandrel inwardly in said collet tube for engagement with said collet sections by said mandrel, said mandrel being operable upon such engagement to expand the collet sections against the heat exchanger tube and to expand the latter in a tube receiving opening in the support sheet, said shaft being operable upon reverse rotation to withdraw said mandrel from engagement with said collet sections, and means restraining said shaft against axial countermovement during rotation of the shaft in said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means includes a piston in which said shaft is mounted for axial and rotatable movement, a source of fluid pressure and a gauge indicating pressure applied to said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stop member is mounted on the outer portion of said collet for adjustment axially thereof and means operable to fixedly secure the stop member to said tube in adjusted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motion transmitting means includes a plunger having one end fixedly secured to the outer end of said mandrel rod, the opposite end of said plunger being formed with an internally threaded socket, the inner end of said shaft having threaded connection with said socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cylinder structure is connected to said housing for limited adjustment relative thereto in a direction axially of said mandrel rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said shaft is mounted in said piston for axial and rotable movement therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including means operable to restrain rotation of said piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Tube expanding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said shaft is formed with an enlargement intermediate the ends thereof for engagement with the inner side of said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for accurately and repeatably expanding tubes within a tube supporting sheet including collet means having a circular series of expandable sections affixed to one end thereof, said collet means, in a collapsed condition, being insertable into the tube to be expanded, a stop member operatively associated with said collet means for engaging the support sheet to preposition said collapsible sections in registration with the support sheet, when the collet is inserted within said tube, a manDrel slidably extendable into said collet means to expand said collet sections into contact with the tube to expand the sections against the tube sheet, and to collapse said sections upon withdrawal from said collet means, motion transmitting means being operable to move said mandrel into and out of said collet means whereby the collet sections are expanded and collapsed, hydraulic means for applying an initial extending reference pressure to said mandrel to expand the collet sections, said pressure being below that required to effect complete tube expansion into contact with the tube sheet, and gauge means responsive to said hydraulic means to indicate the pressure above said initial pressure exerted by said collet sections upon further movement of said motion transmitting means extending said mandrel into said tube, whereby the tube is expandable to a predetermined pressure against the tube sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for accurately and repeatably expanding tubes within a tube supporting sheet including collet means having a circular series of expandable sections affixed to one end thereof, said collet means, in a collapsed condition, being insertable into the tube to be expanded, a stop member operatively associated with said collet means for engaging the support sheet to preposition said collapsible sections in registration with the support sheet, when the collet is inserted within said tube, a manDrel slidably extendable into said collet means to expand said collet sections into contact with the tube to expand the sections against the tube sheet, and to collapse said sections upon withdrawal from said collet means, motion transmitting means being operable to move said mandrel into and out of said collet means whereby the collet sections are expanded and collapsed, hydraulic means for applying an initial extending reference pressure to said mandrel to expand the collet sections, said pressure being below that required to effect complete tube expansion into contact with the tube sheet, and gauge means responsive to said hydraulic means to indicate the pressure above said initial pressure exerted by said collet sections upon further movement of said motion transmitting means extending said mandrel into said tube, whereby the tube is expandable to a predetermined pressure against the tube sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3683481A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |