US3596491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for tapering tubes
Assignee: Battelle Development Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-19
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Tubular shapes are tapered by drawing through a deformable die over a tapered mandrel that is of a length that differs from that of the tapered product by causing relative movement between the mandrel and the tube and die.
Inventors
- 👤 Hobart A Cress
- 👤 John W Hinshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:07
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C9/00; B21C3/00; B21C3/02; B21C3/06; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/15; B21C37/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for tapering a tube comprising: a. axially positioning a tapered mandrel within said tube; b. inserting said tube and mandrel axially within the orifice of a deformable die; and c. drawing said tube through said die over said mandrel while simultaneously axially moving said mandrel within the die orifice, said motion differing in speed from the speed of drawing, while continuously deforming said deformable die changing the diameter of the orifice of said die to a diameter substantially corresponding to the changing diameter of the mandRel positioned therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for tapering a tube comprising: a. axially positioning a tapered mandrel within said tube; b. inserting said tube and mandrel axially within the orifice of a deformable die; and c. drawing said tube through said die over said mandrel while simultaneously axially moving said mandrel within the die orifice, said motion differing in speed from the speed of drawing, while continuously deforming said deformable die changing the diameter of the orifice of said die to a diameter substantially corresponding to the changing diameter of the mandRel positioned therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mandrel is formed within preselected minimum and maximum cross-sectional dimensions so as to form a tapered tube of minimum and maximum internal dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said die has initial orifice dimensions of a size to conform said tube to the minimum cross-sectional dimensions of said mandrel and said mandrel is positioned during drawing to present cross-sectional dimensions within the die orifice from said minimum to said maximum dimensions so that said die is caused to expand and taper said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said die has initial orifice dimensions of a size to conform said tube to the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of said mandrel and said mandrel is positioned during drawing to present cross-sectional dimensions within the die orifice from said maximum to said minimum dimensions and external peripheral inward pressures are applied to said deformable die of a magnitude to cause it to close its orifice during drawing and taper said tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said die has initial orifice dimensions of a size to conform said tube to the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of said mandrel and said mandrel is first positioned to present cross-sectional dimensions within the die orifice from said maximum to said minimum dimensions while applying external peripheral inward pressures to said deformable die of a magnitude to cause its orifice to close during drawing and taper said tube downwardly and said mandrel is then positioned to present cross-sectional dimensions within the die orifice from said minimum toward said maximum so that said die is caused to expand and taper said tube outwardly so as to form venturilike shapes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned at a substantially uniform speed during drawing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of using a mandrel with varying cross-sectional shapes between said minimum and maximum diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned during drawing at varying speeds so as to vary the rate of tapering the resultant tapered shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said mandrel is positioned periodically during drawing so that said tapered shape is stepped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said tube is of substantially cylindrical shape and said dimensions are the average diameters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned at a substantially uniform speed during drawing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 including the step of using a mandrel with varying cross-sectional shapes between said minimum and maximum diameters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned during drawing at varying speeds so as to vary the rate of tapering the resultant tapered shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned during drawing at speeds that vary with said cross-sectional shapes so as to vary the rate of tapering and resultant tapered shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mandrel is positioned periodically during drawing so that said tapered shape is stepped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the positioning of said mandrel relative to the die is at a slower speed than the drawing speed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the positioning of said mandrel relative to the die is at a slower speed than the drawing speed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 3 wherein a pressure inflatable chamber is attached to the large dimension end of said mandrel disposed to inflate to a dimension at least as large as the internal tube dimension when subjected to internal fluid pressure and providing said chamber with inteRnal fluid pressure so as to inflate said chamber to contact the internal surface of said tube and center said mandrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein a lubricant under pressure is supplied to the surface of said mandrel between said chamber and where the tube wall is drawn onto the mandrel surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned during drawing at speeds that vary so as to vary the rate of tapering and resultant tapered shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said mandrel is continuously positioned during drawing at speeds that vary with said cross-sectional shapes so as to vary the rate of tapering and resultant tapered shape.
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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |