US3718017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control system for tube expander tool
Assignee: Vernon Tool Co
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Filing: 1971-08-23
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic control system for a tube expander tool of the type having a hydraulically powered rotary tool which is advanced and retracted by a reversible linear motor. Operation of automatic cycling is initiated by a manual control whereas axial movement of the tool can be interrupted at any time by operating a hold control while rotation of the tool continues as long as necessary to iron out excess metal or to reposition the tube in the bore should this be desirable. The tool is maintained under constant load at all times by load sensor means in the tool advancing circuit and operable to vary the rate of tool advance to maintain a desired constant load and to prevent overloading. Accordingly, the rate of tool advance varies inversely as the load on the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 M Blackburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:12
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D39/06; B21D39/08; B21D39/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53026; Y10T29/53035; Y10T29/53039; Y10T29/53061; Y10T29/53113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A control system for a tube expander tool of the type having separate hydraulically driven means for rotating and for linearly advancing and retracting the tool axially of the tube end being expanded against a bore wall, said control system comprising: means to initiate an automatic tube expansion cycle of operation while said tool is rotating, and means to advance said tool while maintaining the load on said tool substantially constant throughout the portion of the advance cycle wherein the tube is undergoing forced expansion against a bore wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A control system for a tube expander tool of the type having separate hydraulically driven means for rotating and for linearly advancing and retracting the tool axially of the tube end being expanded against a bore wall, said control system comprising: means to initiate an automatic tube expansion cycle of operation while said tool is rotating, and means to advance said tool while maintaining the load on said tool substantially constant throughout the portion of the advance cycle wherein the tube is undergoing forced expansion against a bore wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of control means of interrupting the tool advance portion of the cycle at any time and for resuming the advance cycle at the option of the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A control system as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said control means includes means responsive to the actuation thereof to interrupt the advance cycle to thereupon lock the tool against movement in either axial direction during the period of advance cycle interruption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of manually adjustable relief valve means effective to bleed pressurized fluid from the fluid used to advance said tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control system as defined in claim 4 characterized in the provision of manually operable means to activate and deactivate said adjustable relief valve means at the user''s option while the tool advance cycle is in operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means activated during the tool advance cycle to deliver a lubricating medium to portions of said expander tool in use to expand a tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A control system as defined in claim 6 characterized in the provision of means for deactivating said lubricant delivery means at the end of the tube expanding cycle to avoid the use of additional lubricant while the tool is not in actual use to expand tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means for preventing the release of pressurized fluid from said hydraulically driven means for advancing said expander tool until the pressure supplied to the tool rotating means has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of cycle stop control means operable to interrupt the axial movement of said expander at any point in its complete operating cycle without interfering with the ability of said control system to resume and complete the entire operating cycle upon the restoration of said stop control to its normal position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of independently operable pump means each effective to supply pressurized fluid to a respective one of said means for rotating and for reciprocating said tube expander tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of first indicator means operable to provide a visual indication whenever said control system is operating, and second indicator means operable to provide a separate and distinct signal at the end of the tube expanding portion of the operating cycle and remaining energized until said control system is deactivated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means controlling the fluid pressure to advance said expander tube tool is effective to vary the rate of advance inversely as the load on said tool.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means for sensing the increasing torque load on the tool rotating means during the first portion of a tool advancing cycle, and means responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure at the inlet to the tool rotating means to control the rate of advance of said tool within the tube being expanded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means for maintaining said load substantially constant during the advance portion of the cycle is effective to control the advance of said tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control system as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means therein responsive to a predetermined increase in the pressure of fluid supplied to rotate said tool to initiate the retraction of said tool toward its starting position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system as defined in claim 15 characterized in the provision of means for maintaining said retraction cycle in operation until the tool is fully retracted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control system as defined in claim 16 characterized in the provision of means for automatically discharging pressurized fluid back to a reservoir therefor at the conclusion of a complete tube expanding cycle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic control for a tube expander of the type having motor means for rotating the tool and reversible linear motor means for advancing and retracting the tool, said system comprising an operating cycle initiating means, means operatively connected with said initiating means and with the power supply to each of said motors responsive to the operation of said initiating meanS to advance said tool at a rate determined by the load imposed on said tool, and means for automatically reversing said linear motor means when the tube has been expanded against a bore wall to a predetermined load value thereby to retract said tool from the tubing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic control for a tube expander of the type having motor means for rotating the tool and reversible linear motor means for advancing and retracting the tool, said system comprising an operating cycle initiating means, means operatively connected with said initiating means and with the power supply to each of said motors responsive to the operation of said initiating meanS to advance said tool at a rate determined by the load imposed on said tool, and means for automatically reversing said linear motor means when the tube has been expanded against a bore wall to a predetermined load value thereby to retract said tool from the tubing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
A control as defined in claim 18 characterized in that said motor means are hydraulically powered under the control of fluid control valve means including self-centering solenoid-operated four way valve means for controlling the operation of said reversible linear motor means, and adjustable relief valve means for maintaining the fluid pressure supplied to said linear motor means substantially constant during the tool advance portion of the tube expanding cycle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control as defined in claim 19 characterized in that said cycle initiating means including pressure sensing means responsive to a predetermined pressure in the supply line to said rotary motor to activate said pressure relief valve means and thereupon regulate the rate of advance of said tool.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
A control as defined in claim 18 characterized in that said means connected in circuit with said cycle initiating means includes first and second relay means, said first relay means being operable in one position thereof to energize an advance control solenoid in said flow control valve means and being operable in the other position thereof to energize a retract control solenoid of said flow control valve means.
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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |