US4339866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of connecting a tube to a flange
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1980-05-27
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Granted: 1982-07-20
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Expires: 2000-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of connecting a tube (12) to a flange (120) is disclosed including placing the tube between first and second portions (14,16) of a holding apparatus (10), closing the portions and gripping the tube securely between the portions by operation of a first powered actuator (24), positioning a force-transmitting apparatus (20) including a punch (22) into axial alignment with the tube and flange, and forcing the punch axially into the tube and expanding the tube radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange by operation of a second powered actuator (26) of the force-transmitting apparatus. The portions (14,16) are preferably pivotally closed to securely grip the tube, and the force-transmitting apparatus (20) is preferably an intergrated part of a computer controlled industrial robot (32).
Inventors
- 👤 Edward R. Horton
- 👤 John L. Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:00
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21K; B21K25/00; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D39/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49938; Y10T29/4994; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53004; Y10T29/53313; Y10T29/53383; Y10T29/53387; Y10T29/5367; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/5383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of connecting a tube (12) to a flange (120), comprising: Step (a) placing tube (12) with the flange (120) on the end thereof between first and second portions (14,16) of a holding apparatus (10); Step (b) closing one of the portions (14,16) of the holding apparatus (10) and gripping the tube (12) securely between the portions (14,16) by operation of a first powered actuator (24); Step (c) positioning a force-transmitting apparatus (20) including a punch (22) of preselected external contour into axial alignment with the tube (12) and the flange (120); Step (d) closing a pair of gripping arms (72) of the force-transmitting apparatus (20) embracingly on the holding apparatus (10) by operation of a third powered actuator (76); and Step (e) forcing the punch (22) axially into the tube (12) and expanding the tube (12) radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange (120) by operation of a second powered actuator (26) of the force-transmitting apparatus (20).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of connecting a tube (12) to a flange (120), comprising: Step (a) placing tube (12) with the flange (120) on the end thereof between first and second portions (14,16) of a holding apparatus (10); Step (b) closing one of the portions (14,16) of the holding apparatus (10) and gripping the tube (12) securely between the portions (14,16) by operation of a first powered actuator (24); Step (c) positioning a force-transmitting apparatus (20) including a punch (22) of preselected external contour into axial alignment with the tube (12) and the flange (120); Step (d) closing a pair of gripping arms (72) of the force-transmitting apparatus (20) embracingly on the holding apparatus (10) by operation of a third powered actuator (76); and Step (e) forcing the punch (22) axially into the tube (12) and expanding the tube (12) radially outwardly into interlocking engagement with the flange (120) by operation of a second powered actuator (26) of the force-transmitting apparatus (20).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including Step (f) retracting the punch (22) axially outwardly of the tube 812) by reverse operation of the second powered actuator (26).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 including Step (g) subsequently opening the pair of gripping arms (72) away from the holding apparatus (10) by reverse operation of the third powered actuator (76).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 including Step (h) moving the force-transmitting apparatus (20) away from the holding apparatus (10).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein Steps (c) through (h) are achieved automatically by computer controlled programming of an industrial robot (32) and the force-transmitting apparatus (20).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |