US3986240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making sphere-passing tees for piping systems
Assignee: SUN FORGE OPERATIONS Ltd
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Filing: 1975-02-11
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Granted: 1976-10-19
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Expires: 1995-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A sphere-passing tee is made up of a sphere-guiding tube having each end held within a tapering end portion of a one-piece outer tube. Each tapering end portion of the outer tube is formed thereon by forcing it into a die. The outer tube is preferably provided with the branch outlet of the tee by an extrusion process.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy Hugh Christopher Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L41/00; F16L41/02; F16L41/021; B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/15; B21C37/28; B21C37/29; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4891; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49428; Y10T29/49442; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49879; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49915; Y10T29/49917; Y10T29/49918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
A method of manufacturing a sphere-passing tee for connection in a pipe-line of a specified internal diameter, which method comprises: subjecting a one-piece metal outer tube, of an internal diameter larger than the said specified internal diameter and provided with a branch outlet at a location intermediate the two ends of the tube, to a die forming process for reducing the diameter of a first length of said outer tube, adjacent to one end thereof, so that the said first length is made to taper towards that end and so that the internal diameter of the tube at the said one end is brought to a value smaller than the said specified internal diameter; positioning a sphere-guiding tube, of outside diameter less than the said internal diameter of said outer tube and of internal diameter equal to the said specified internal diameter and having fluid outlet apertures intermediate its two ends, coaxially within said outer tube so that one end of said sphere-guiding tube abuts against the interior of the reduced-diameter first length of said outer tube; said sphere-guiding tube being of a length, less than that of said outer tube, such that, when the said one end of said sphere-guiding tube abuts against the said interior, the other end of said sphere-guiding tube is located adjacent to but inward of the other end of said outer tube; employing a die forming process to reduce the diameter of a second length of said outer tube, adjacent to the other end thereof, so that the said second length is made to taper towards that other end and so that the internal diameter of said outer tube at its said other end is brought to a value smaller than the said specified internal diameter, and so that the interior of the said second length is brought into contact with the other end of said sphere-guiding tube, whereby said outer tube and said sphere-guiding tube are fixed coaxially against movement relative to one another; and after said die forming processes, removing inner portions of said outer tube, at each end thereof, to increase the internal diameter thereof to the said specified internal diameter, and cutting a weld preparation onto each end of said outer tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
372 words
A method of manufacturing a sphere-passing tee for connection in a pipe-line of a specified internal diameter, which method comprises: subjecting a one-piece metal outer tube, of an internal diameter larger than the said specified internal diameter and provided with a branch outlet at a location intermediate the two ends of the tube, to a die forming process for reducing the diameter of a first length of said outer tube, adjacent to one end thereof, so that the said first length is made to taper towards that end and so that the internal diameter of the tube at the said one end is brought to a value smaller than the said specified internal diameter; positioning a sphere-guiding tube, of outside diameter less than the said internal diameter of said outer tube and of internal diameter equal to the said specified internal diameter and having fluid outlet apertures intermediate its two ends, coaxially within said outer tube so that one end of said sphere-guiding tube abuts against the interior of the reduced-diameter first length of said outer tube; said sphere-guiding tube being of a length, less than that of said outer tube, such that, when the said one end of said sphere-guiding tube abuts against the said interior, the other end of said sphere-guiding tube is located adjacent to but inward of the other end of said outer tube; employing a die forming process to reduce the diameter of a second length of said outer tube, adjacent to the other end thereof, so that the said second length is made to taper towards that other end and so that the internal diameter of said outer tube at its said other end is brought to a value smaller than the said specified internal diameter, and so that the interior of the said second length is brought into contact with the other end of said sphere-guiding tube, whereby said outer tube and said sphere-guiding tube are fixed coaxially against movement relative to one another; and after said die forming processes, removing inner portions of said outer tube, at each end thereof, to increase the internal diameter thereof to the said specified internal diameter, and cutting a weld preparation onto each end of said outer tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: welding the said other end of said sphere-guiding tube to the said interior of the reduced-diameter second length of said outer tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each said die forming process is a cold forming process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: welding the said one end of said sphere-guiding tube to the interior of the said reduced-diameter first length at the region of abutment thereagainst.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein before the die forming processes are carried out the one-piece metal outer tube is subjected to an extrusion process for providing that tube with said branch outlet.
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) | 1979-10-19 | 1980-04-19 | 1980-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-19 | 1984-04-19 | 1984-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-04-19 | 1988-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |