U.S. patent application number 09/730278 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for compact apparatus for grooving a tube and method for grooving a tube.
Invention is credited to Smith, Robert S..
Application Number | 20020066300 09/730278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24934674 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020066300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Robert S. |
June 6, 2002 |
Compact apparatus for grooving a tube and method for grooving a
tube
Abstract
An apparatus for grooving a tube, comprising a stud, a
partitioning ring around the central region of the stud, a mandrel,
a plurality of concave jaws, an outer tapered sleeve, and a
tightening mechanism. The mandrel is placed over far end of the
stud, and the tube to be worked is placed on the end of the
mandrel. Concave jaws with flanges are fitted into grooves around
the mandrel, so that the flanges surround the tube. A tapered
sleeve is placed over the near end of the stud, extending at least
partially over the jaws. The tightening mechanism is then placed
over the near end of the stud. Tightening of the mechanism draws
the flanges on the jaws to the tube to be worked.
Inventors: |
Smith, Robert S.; (Oakland
Park, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MALIN HALEY AND DIMAGGIO, PA
1936 S ANDREWS AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE
FL
33316
US
|
Family ID: |
24934674 |
Appl. No.: |
09/730278 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/53987 20150115;
B21D 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/402 |
International
Class: |
B21D 041/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. an apparatus for grooving a tube, comprising: a stud; a
partitioning ring around the central region of the stud; a mandrel,
including: a central interior bore complementary to the stud; a
near end, including: a central recession complementary to the
partitioning ring; a retaining groove around the outer perimeter of
the mandrel; and a central portion, comprising: a diameter greater
than or equal to the outside diameter of a tube to be worked; and a
resting area for the tube to be worked; and a far end with a
diameter less than the inside diameter of the tube to be worked; a
plurality of concave jaws, including: a near end including a
protrusion that is complementary to the retaining groove in the
mandrel; and a far end with a flange for grooving the tube to be
worked; an outer tapered sleeve, comprising: an inner diameter
greater than an outside diameter of the jaws, wherein the inner
diameter is tapered toward a near end so that the outer tapered
sleeve engages the jaws; and a central bore complementary to the
stud; and a tightening mechanism complementary to the stud, whereby
tightening of the mechanism draws the flanges on the jaws to the
tube to be worked.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partitioning ring may be
variably positioned along the stud before being affixed to the
stud.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stud is threaded and the
tightening mechanism is a nut comprising internal threads
corresponding to the threads of the stud.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the central bore in the mandrel
further comprises threads corresponding to the threads of the
stud.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism is a
hydraulic cylinder attached to the near end of the stud.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the partitioning ring is an
intrinsic part of the stud.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of each jaw and
the diameter of the outer sleeve is narrow enough to allow grooving
of a tube in-situ.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the near end of the stud
further comprises areas for fitting a removal device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the removal device is a
wrench.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is a
two-way hydraulic cylinder.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jaws are tapered so that
the near end of each jaw is narrower than the far end of each
jaw.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the face of the flange of
each jaw is tapered so that the far end of the face of the flange
is narrower than the near end of the face of the flange.
13. A method of grooving a tube, comprising the steps of: placing a
partitioning ring around the central region of a stud; placing a
mandrel over the stud, wherein the mandrel comprises: a central
interior bore complementary to the stud; a near end, including: a
central recession complementary to the partitioning ring; a
retaining groove around the outer perimeter of the mandrel; and a
central portion, comprising: a diameter greater than or equal to
the outside diameter of a tube to be worked; and a resting area for
the tube to be worked; and a far end with a diameter less than the
inside diameter of the tube to be worked; placing around the
mandrel a plurality of concave jaws, including: a near end
including a protrusion that is complementary to the retaining
groove in the mandrel; and a far end with a flange for grooving the
tube to be worked; placing around the jaws an outer tapered sleeve,
including: an inner diameter greater than an outside diameter of
the jaws, wherein the inner diameter is tapered toward a near end
so that the outer tapered sleeve engages the jaws; a central bore
complementary to the stud; and placing a tube to be worked on the
resting area of the mandrel; and tightening a tightening mechanism
complementary to the stud, whereby tightening of the mechanism
draws the flanges on the jaws to the tube to be worked, thereby
grooving the tube.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the stud is threaded and the
tightening mechanism is a nut comprising internal threads
corresponding to the threads of the stud.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the central bore in the mandrel
further comprises threads corresponding to the threads of the
stud.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the tightening mechanism is a
hydraulic cylinder attached to the near end of the stud.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the near end of the stud
further comprises areas for fitting a removal device.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the removal device is a
wrench.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is a
two-way hydraulic cylinder.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the jaws are tapered so that
the near end of each jaw is narrower than the far end of each
jaw.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the face of the flange of each
jaw is tapered so that the far end of the face of the flange is
narrower than the near end of the face of the flange.
22. The method of claim 8 wherein the partitioning ring is an
intrinsic part of the stud.
23. The method of claim 8, wherein the diameter of each jaw and the
diameter of the outer sleeve is narrow enough to allow grooving of
a tube in-situ.
24. A grooved tube formed by the method of claim 13.
25. A grooved tube formed by the method of claim 14.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to a compact apparatus for
grooving a tube and a method for grooving a tube.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The need for grooving a tube is generally known in the art
of tube coupling and tube repair. Victaulic couplings are used in
making joints, retrofits and repairs in tubing, both in-situ and
otherwise, and require grooved tubes. A Victaulic seal is
especially useful for fitting copper pipes together, in all sizes
of pipe, since the seal does not use heat which can unevenly expand
the pipe ends used in the repair. It is extremely difficult to form
a good seal between unevenly expanded pipe ends. Moreover, a method
for sealing pipes that does not require heat is safer where
combustible materials are present.
[0005] To make a typical Victaulic coupling, a groove is formed
around each end of a pipe. The two ends of pipe are then lined up
and a rubber ring is fitted around the joint. Two semicircular
bands, forming a sleeve, each of which have a ridge on both edges
to fit into the groove of the pipe, are placed around the ring and
are drawn together with two bolts. As the bolts are tightened, the
rubber ring is compressed, making a watertight joint, while the
ridges fitting in the grooves make the joint strong mechanically.
In fact, as the pipe hydraulically expands, the pressure tightens
the bolt, making the Victaulic coupling repair even stronger.
[0006] A tube machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,212 issued
Jan. 9, 1968 to Steele. It describes a machine for tapering the end
of a tube, bolted to a base or table and attached to a power
source, thereby requiring operations to be at the site of the
machine.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,531, issued Sep. 1, 1998 to Orcutt et
al., describes a crimper fitting locator assembly. The described
assembly has a hydraulic ram actuator assembly affixed to a bed
plate with columns and a locating assembly mounted on a
support.
[0008] An automatic crimper and crimping die is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,703,643 issued Nov. 3, 1987 to Brooks et al., which requires
that the length of a stroke of a ram against crimping dies is
controlled electrically by comparing voltages on a balancing
circuit.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,519, issued Nov. 16, 1965 to Demler
describes a coaxial crimping tool. The tool is for coaxial cable,
and requires that the cable be stripped and otherwise prepared
before crimping. Also, there is no adjustability of the stop
pin.
[0010] Rollers are also known in the art of grooving tubes.
However, rollers are expensive machines and are bulky. Generally,
they require the pipes to be of a minimum size for optimum use.
Furthermore, they cannot be used in in-situ repairs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention is a compact apparatus and a method for
grooving a tube. The apparatus would typically be used in the
field, although it may also be used in a workshop, laboratory or
other location.
[0012] The invention has a stud with a partitioning ring, a
mandrel, a plurality of jaws and a tightening mechanism. The
mandrel is fitted around the far end of the stud through a hole on
the center of the mandrel. The mandrel has a far end with a resting
place for a tube to be worked. On the near end, the mandrel has a
recession complementary to the partitioning ring. The tube may be
grooved in-situ; however, it may also be worked away from where it
is placed.
[0013] A plurality of jaws is placed around the mandrel. The jaws
have protrusions on their interior surface on their near ends that
are complementary to a groove around the near end of the mandrel.
The jaws also have flanges on their interior surfaces on the far
end for providing the grooving on the tube to be worked.
[0014] A tapered sleeve is then placed over the near end of the
stud. A tightening mechanism is placed behind the tapered sleeve on
the near end of the stud. The tube to be worked is then fitted over
the far end of the mandrel, resting on the resting place. As the
tightening mechanism is tightened, the interior surface of the
tapered sleeve interacts with the outer surface of the jaws, and
the sleeve is drawn toward the mandrel. Thus, the flanges on the
jaws form a groove on the tube.
[0015] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] The prior art fails to teach a compact apparatus for the
grooving of a tube such as a metal pipe. The prior art also fails
to teach a compact method for in-situ repairs where there is little
clearance of the pipe. In addition, the prior art fails to teach a
method that is ideal for cosmetic and structurally sound Victaulic
couplings, with manual control of the grooving mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1. is a top perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention with a tube to be worked.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top perspective exploded view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention with a tube to be worked.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the
preferred embodiment of the invention with a tube to be worked.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view cross section of the preferred
embodiment with a tube to be worked.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the far end of a jaw in the
preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The invention is an apparatus for forming a groove on a tube
which is generally described in FIG. 1 as 10. The apparatus 10
first includes a central stud 12. Preferably the stud 12 is made of
metal such as steel or is made from another suitable material. As
shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 & 3, around the stud 12, in a
generally central region around the stud 12, is a partitioning ring
14. The partitioning ring 14 separates the stud 12 into a near end
16 and a far end 18. The partitioning ring 14 is preferably made of
metal such as steel, although other appropriate materials are known
in the art. In one embodiment, the stud 12 is threaded and the
partitioning ring 14 has complementary threads. Also, other
alternative embodiments are contemplated. In the preferred
embodiment, the partitioning ring 14 is immovable along the
longitudinal axis of the stud 12. However, methods of enabling the
partitioning ring 14 to be moved along the stud 12 and then fixed
into position are also known in the art. In an alternative
embodiment, the partitioning ring 14 is an intrinsic part of the
stud 12.
[0023] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the stud 12
further comprises an area 64 on the near end 16 of the stud 12 for
the fitting of a removal device (not shown). In the preferred
embodiment, opposite areas 64 on the stud 12 are flattened . The
flattened areas 64 fit a wrench which, when turned, would loosen
the apparatus 10 from the tube 58 after a groove has been formed on
the tube.
[0024] Around the far end 18 of the stud 12 is a mandrel 20.
Preferably, the mandrel is made of metal such as steel, although
other materials are known in the art. The mandrel 20 has a central
interior bore 22 with a width complementary to the stud 12. The
mandrel 20 has a near end 24, a central portion 26 and a far end
28. In use, the near end 24 of the mandrel 20 is fitted over the
far end 18 of the stud 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the near end 24 of
the mandrel 20 comprises a central recession 30 which is
complementary to the partitioning ring 14. In the preferred
embodiment, the central interior bore 22 of the mandrel 20 has
complementary threads to threads around the stud 12. Around the
outer perimeter of the mandrel 20 at the near end 24 is a retaining
groove 32.
[0025] The central portion 26 of the mandrel 20 preferably has a
diameter that is approximately the width of the outer diameter of
the tube 58 to be worked. An example of a tube 58 to be worked is a
metal pipe, such as copper or lightweight steel, although other
materials are contemplated. The central portion 26 also comprises a
resting area 34 for the tube 58 to be worked. In the preferred
embodiment, the resting area 34 is generally flat.
[0026] The far end 28 of the mandrel 20 has an outside diameter
which is less than the inside diameter of the tube 58 to be worked.
When the apparatus 10 is used, the end of the tube 58 to be worked
is placed over the far end 28 of the mandrel 20. Although FIG. 4
shows a mandrel 20 that extends all the way to the end of the stud
12, the mandrel 20 may also extend beyond the stud 12, or the stud
12 may extend beyond the mandrel 20.
[0027] A plurality of concave jaws 36 is placed around the mandrel
20. Each jaw 36 has a near end 38 and a far end 40. In the
preferred embodiment, each jaw 36 is tapered so that the far end 40
is wider than the near end 38. Preferably, the jaws 36 are made of
metal such as steel, although other appropriate materials are also
known in the art. The near end 38 of each jaw 36 comprises a
protrusion 42 on the interior surface 44 that is complementary to
the retaining groove 32 on the mandrel 20. The far end 40 of each
jaw 36 also has a flange 46 on the interior surface 44 for forming
a groove on the tube 58 to be worked.
[0028] Also, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when
the apparatus 10 is in use, the flange 46 on each jaw 36 extends
slightly above the far end 28 of the mandrel 20. Also, it is
preferred that the face 66 of the flange 46 be tapered toward the
far end 40 of the jaw 36, so that the flange 46 forms a distinct
groove on the tube 58 when the apparatus 10 is being used. The
tapering of the face 66 of the flange is generally illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 & 4, an outer tapered sleeve 48 is
then placed over the jaws 36. Generally, in the preferred
embodiment, the jaws 36 are tapered to approximately the same
degree as the taper in the sleeve 48. The tapered sleeve 48 is
preferably made of metal such as steel. However, other appropriate
materials are also known in the art. The tapered sleeve 48 has a
central bore 50 which is complementary to the width of the stud 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the tapered sleeve 48 is not threaded.
However, the width of the bore 50 allows the sleeve to be placed
over the stud. The tapered sleeve 48 comprises a near end 52 and a
far end 54. The tapering of the tapered sleeve 48 is such that the
inner diameter decreases from the far end 54 to the near end 52 of
the tapered sleeve 48. In use, the tapered sleeve 48 is placed over
the near end 16 of the stud 12, and extends around at least a
portion of the stud 12, the mandrel 20 and the jaws 36. The jaws 36
and the tapered sleeve 48 are configured so that when the tapered
sleeve 48 is drawn toward the partitioning ring 14 on the stud 12,
the tapered sleeve 48 will force the jaws 36 to contract. As the
jaws 36 contract, the flanges 46 on the jaws 36 will cause the tube
58 to be worked to be grooved. The width of the stud 12, mandrel
20, jaws 36 and tapered sleeve 48 are such that in-situ grooving of
a tube may be accomplished with a minimum of clearance between the
tube to be worked and a wall or other obstruction.
[0030] The apparatus 10 also comprises a tightening mechanism 56.
The tightening mechanism 56 is placed on the near end 16 of the
stud 12. In the preferred embodiment, the tightening mechanism 56
is a nut with threads corresponding to the threads of the stud 12.
However, other appropriate tightening mechanisms 56 are also
contemplated.
[0031] As the apparatus 10 is used in its preferred embodiment, the
mandrel 20 is threaded onto the far side 18 of the stud 12 with the
partitioning ring 14. A central recession 30 on the mandrel 20
conforms to the width and shape of the partitioning ring 14. The
plurality of jaws 36 are placed around the mandrel 20 by inserting
a protrusion 42 on the interior surface 44 of the near end 38 of
each jaw 36 into the retaining groove 32 on the mandrel 20. The
outer tapered sleeve 48 is then placed loosely on the near end 16
of the stud 12, so that the far end 54 of the tapered sleeve 48
extends at least partially over the jaws 36. The tapered sleeve 48
helps keep the jaws 36 in place around the mandrel 20. The
tightening mechanism 56 in the form of a nut is loosely threaded
outside the tapered sleeve 48 onto the near end 16 of the stud
12.
[0032] A tube 58 to be worked is then placed on the mandrel 20. A
tube such as a 3" copper pipe is fitted over the far end 28 of the
mandrel 20, so that the end of the pipe to be worked rests upon the
resting area 34 at the central portion 26 of the mandrel 20. As
stated above, other tubes 58 are also contemplated by this
invention.
[0033] The nut is then tightened onto the stud 12, thereby drawing
the tapered sleeve 48 up to the partitioning ring 14. The inner
surface 60 of the tapered sleeve 48 then forces the outer surface
62 of the jaws 36 inward, causing the jaws 36 to contract. As the
jaws 36 contract, the flanges 46 on the jaws 36 contact the tube 58
to be worked, thereby grooving the tube 58. In the preferred
embodiment, to loosen the jaws 36 from the tube 58, a wrench is
attached to the stud 12 at the areas 64 for fitting a removal
device. Other appropriate means for removing the jaws 36 from the
tube 58 are known in the art and are contemplated by this
invention.
[0034] The nut is then loosened or removed so that the apparatus 10
may be removed, and a Victaulic-type groove in the tube 58 remains.
A second tube 58 could be grooved in the same manner, so that the
distance from the end of the tube to the groove would be the same
for the original tube and the second tube. Thus, when the original
tube and the second tube are put together as for a Victaulic
repair, uniformity in the grooving provide for a superior pipe
repair cosmetically as well as functionally.
[0035] In another embodiment, the stud 12 is attached at its near
end 14 to a hydraulic cylinder, such as a portable hydraulic
cylinder manufactured by Greenlee used by plumbers and pipefitters.
As the hydraulic cylinder draws in the stud 12, the sleeve 48 is
forced toward the mandrel 20. The movement of the sleeve 48 thereby
causes the flanges 46 to groove the tube 58. Spacers may be placed
between the fitting on the hydraulic cylinder for the stud 12 and
the stud 12 to ensure that the stud is not drawn too deeply into
the hydraulic cylinder. To remove the apparatus 10 from the tube 58
to be worked, a wrench can be placed on areas 64 for attachment of
a removal device. For example, a wrench may be placed on flattened
areas 64 on the stud 12 and turned to effect the loosening of
contact between the jaws 36 and the tube 58.
[0036] In another embodiment, the stud 12 is attached at its near
end 14 to a two-way hydraulic cylinder. Spacers may be used in this
embodiment as described above. Also as described above, the sleeve
48 is drawn toward the mandrel 20 as the two-way hydraulic cylinder
draws in the stud 12. However, the two-way hydraulic cylinder
allows hydraulic pressure to push the mandrel 20 away from the
sleeve 48, thereby loosening the jaws 36 from the tube 58 after the
groove has been formed. Thus, with a twoway hydraulic tube, an area
64 on the stud 12 for attachment of a removal device is not
necessary.
[0037] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *