AU702815B2

AU702815B2 - Machine for flaring pipe ends by snapping

Info

Publication number: AU702815B2
Application number: AU47239/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bernard Anthoine
Original assignee: Parker Hannifin SA
Current assignee: Parker Hannifin SA
Priority date: 1995-02-13
Filing date: 1996-02-12
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-12
Also published as: ATE188147T1; FR2730434A1; DE69605896D1; NO973700D0; NO312061B1; EP0809552A1; FR2730434B1; DK0809552T3; JP3830161B2; DE69605896T2; NZ301745A; WO1996025253A1; JPH11500066A; NO973700L; AU4723996A; ES2142047T3; EP0809552B1

Abstract

A machine including a die (14) mounted in a holder, two jaws (6) forming a clamping jaw for holding one end of the tube (4) to be expanded, drive means (17, 18) for imparting orbital motion to the die, drive means (25) for moving the die towards the end of the tube (4), and means for moving it away therefrom. To achieve a simple structure and render said machine compact and easily transportable, the jaws (6) are arranged in a fixed jaw holder forming a first block (1). A second fixed block (2) is placed opposite the first block and a movable block (3) including the die (14), the die holder and the die drive means (17) has guide means (12) interconnecting the two fixed blocks and is translated by a hydraulic cylinder in the second fixed block (2).

Description

pipes, a tool driven to rotate around an axis parallel to the pipes and mounted on the movable trolley, means for holding the pipe to be flared in place as well as means for moving the trolley.

Due to their structure, the known machines are heavy, bulky and difficult to transport.

Moreover, most of them do not permit an orbital movement of the tool. However, the erection of a hydraulic or pneumatic system often requires on-site pipe connections for some of the equipment of the system. These connections must then be ordered and fabricated at the factory which causes delays of several days.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a machine for flaring the ends of pipes by cold snapping, particularly for realizing flanged connections. This machine must have a simple structure to make it compact and easy to transport.

For this purpose, the machine proposed by the invention is of the type comprising a snap die mounted in a support, two jaws forming a clamping tool for holding one end of the pipe to be flared, driving means to provide the snap die with an orbital motion, driving means for moving the die to the pipe end and means for moving it away from the pipe end.

According to the invention, the jaws are disposed in a stationary jaw holder forming a first block of the machine, with a second stationary block facing such first block. A mobile block comprising the snap die, its support and its driving means is provided with guiding means connecting the two stationary blocks and is driven in translational motion by a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder body and a cylinder chamber mounted in the second stationary block as well as by a cylinder piston that is integral with the mobile block.

The structure of this machine is simple and permits a compact design. The second stationary block incorporates a portion of the means for moving the snap die to the pipe end to be flared. Advantageously, this hydraulic cylinder is supplied by a hydraulic pump mounted on the mobile block.

There are several methods for giving a snap die an orbital motion. The method proposed by the invention to achieve this uses compact means. The snap die is mounted on an arbor which in turn is mounted by means of roller bearings on an arbor support rotated by the driving means in an orbital motion of the snap die, with the axis of the snap die and its arbor forming an angle to the axis of rotation of the arbor support, thus making it possible to move the snap die in an orbital motion.

The snap die, the arbor and its support are mounted one inside the other. The length of the entire unit is barely greater than the length of the arbor support.

To permit a parallel arrangement, one next to the other, of the snap die, the arbor and its support on the one hand and their driving means on the other hand, the driving means for an orbital motion of the snap die advantageously comprise a motor whose output shaft is provided with a sheave and connected with the arbor support by a belt.

Depending on the available space, the motor can be disposed above, below or at the same height as the unit to be driven.

In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic pump supplying the hydraulic cylinder comprises a piston acted upon by a cam mounted at the end of the axis of rotation of the arbor support.

Thus, the arbor support actuates the hydraulic pump by means of the cam. In this case, the driving means for an orbital movement also drive the hydraulic pump and thus permit the snap die to approach the end of the pipe. As a result, a single motor suffices for both movements.

Advantageously, the hydraulic pump supplies the hydraulic cylinder through the interior of the cylinder piston. Thus, the arbor support, the hydraulic pump and the cylinder are arranged one after the other.

To control the stopping of the snap die after the pipe end has been flared, the mobile block comprises at least one stop pin which, at the end of travel, is designed to abut against a jaw that clamps the pipe end. The machine comprises a pressure sensitive switch connected to the cylinder chamber and controlling a solenoid valve such that when the pressure in the cylinder chamber becomes too high, the cylinder chamber is linked to an oil reservoir.

In this configuration, the driving means moving the snap die in an orbit advantageously comprise an electric motor, the power for which is cut off if the pressure sensitive switch actuates the solenoid valve. As a result, the machine automatically stops at the end of the cycle.

The snap die can also be stopped without using a pressure sensitive switch. The disadvantage of such a switch is that it is an electrical device which cannot be used in places that are subject to explosion hazards. The invention therefore also provides a device permitting the linkage of the cylinder chamber to an oil reservoir. This device comprises a calibrated valve that opens when the pressure in the cylinder chamber exceeds a predetermined value and a slide, one end of which communicates with the cylinder chamber when the valve is open and controls the opening of a passage between the cylinder chamber and the oil reservoir.

The guiding means for the translational motion of the mobile block advantageously comprise two columns connecting the two stationary blocks. These two columns permit good guidance and provide rigidity to the entire machine.

4 The means for moving the snap die to the pipe end have been described above. These means comprise a hydraulic cylinder. To move the snap die away from the pipe end, said cylinder could be replaced by a double acting cylinder. However, it is preferable if the means for moving the snap die away from the pipe end to be flared comprise compression springs which are disposed between the first stationary block and the mobile block.

In this embodiment, the driving means for moving the snap die to the pipe end to be flared work against the springs. When these means cease to act, the springs cause the mobile block to move away from the first stationary block.

To hold the pipe end to be flared firmly in place, the jaw support is given the shape of a dovetail to engage the two jaws of complementary shape in such a way that, as the snap die pushes against the pipe end, the two jaws move closer together due to a wedge effect and thus clamp the pipe.

To pre-clamp the pipe end, the first stationary, block comprises a shoe which on the one hand faces a jaw when the jaws are placed into the jaw support and on the other hand can be pushed toward such jaw by a cam actuated by means of a lever so as to bring the two jaws So together to hold the pipe end in place.

Advantageously, the first stationary block comprises a movable stop against which the pipe end to be flared abuts so as to provide proper positioning within the clamping tool. Such movable stop is articulated around an axis between a first position where it faces the jaws on the side of the snap die and a second position where it is remote so as not to interfere with the snap die acting on the pipe end.

:In order to prevent the snap die from knocking against the movable stop, such stop comprises a lever whereas the mobile block isprovided with a cam having an inclined surface and interacts with the lever of the movable stop so as to cause the stop to move to its remote position when the snap die is moving in the direction of the first stationary block.

:The translational movement of the mobile block can also be used to actuate a lubricating oooo device. In this case, the machine comprises an atomizer for spraying a lubricant oriented toward the pipe end to be flared and mechanically actuated when the mobile block approaches the first stationary block.

4a- In one aspect the present invention provides a machine for flaring pipe ends by snapping, including a snap die mounted on a support, two haws forming a clamping tool to hold pipe end to be flared, driving means permitting an orbital motion of the snap die, driving means permitting the motion of the snap die toward pipe end and means permitting the motion of the snap die away from pipe end, wherein jaws are disposed in a stationary haw holder forming a first block of the machine, that a second stationary block is facing the first block, and that a mobile block including snap die, its support and its driving means is provided with guiding means linking the two stationary blocks and driven in translational motion by a hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder body and a cylinder chamber disposed in the second stationary block and by a cylinder piston forming an integral part of the mobile block.

The invention will be perfectly understood by means of the following 15 description referencing the attached schematic drawing depicting a machine according to the invention by way of a non-limiting example:

S..

S.o t Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section along line I-I of Figure 2; Figure 2 shows a top view which is partially in cross section; Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of a hydraulic valve for controlling the stoppage of a snapping operation; Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective of a detail that can be adapted to the machine represented in Figures I and 2.

Figures 1 and 2 represent a full view of a machine according to the invention. Such machine essentially comprises three parts which can be easily distinguished in the figures: a stationary front part 1, a stationary rear part 2 and a mobile part 3 located between these two stationary parts 1, 2.

Stationary front part 1 essentially serves to position and hold in place pipe end 4 to be flared and may comprise a shouldered collet 5. For this purpose, it forms a jaw holder to accommodate two jaws 6.

The shape of jaw 6 is substantially a parallelepiped having an inclined face 7. The jaw holder, in turn, has the shape of a dovetail. Inclined face 7 of each jaw fits against an inclined face of the jaw holder. The face of each jaw 6, upon contact with the other jaw, forms a recess to receive collet 5 and pipe end 4. Along the part intended to receive the pipe, such recess is covered with carbide to obtain a better friction coefficient for a firmer grip on pipe end 4.

The largest face of the dovetail is on the side of pipe end 4 to be flared. Thus, when a tool acts on this end to flare the pipe, it pushes against jaws 6 to tighten them by a wedge effect so that pipe end 4 is held more firmly in place.

To allow proper positioning of pipe end 4 within jaws 6 forming a clamping tool, stationary part 1 is provided with a movable stop 8 articulated around an axis of rotation. To position pipe end 4, stop 8 is placed in such a way that it faces the recess made in jaws 6 to receive pipe end 4. Pipe end 4 is then slid between the two jaws 6 which are not tightened until they come to a stop against movable stop 8.

To hold pipe end 4 in this position, front block 1 of the machine is equipped with a pretightening device. Such device comprises a shoe 9 which on the one hand faces a jaw 6 inserted in the jaw holder and on the other hand can be pushed against such jaw 6 by cam 10 actuated by means of lever 11. When lever 11 is actuated to push shoe 9, pushed jaw 6 moves toward the other jaw 6 to clamp pipe end 4 in the clamping tool.

The above described stationary front part 1 is connected to stationary rear part 2 by two parallel columns 12 serving as guides for the translational motion of mobile part 3.

Mobile part 3 is mounted by means of four bearings 13 on the two columns 12 connecting stationary front block 1 and stationary rear block 2. Mobile part 3 comprises a snap die 14 which is thetool used to flare pipe end 4, arbor 15 on which snap die 14 is mounted, arbor support 16 and electric motor 17 rotating arbor support 16 by means of belt 18 and sheave 19 which is mounted on the output shaft of motor 17.

Arbor support 16 is mounted in housing 20 by means of ball bearings 21. The axis of support 16 is parallel to columns 12 and thus to the direction of displacement of mobile block 3.

On the side facing the jaw holder, arbor support 16 is provided with a recess for holding arbor Arbor 15 is mounted in the recess of the arbor support by means of needle bush 22 and thrust ball bearing 23. The axis of arbor 15 which is mounted in its support 16 is inclined by a few degrees with respect to the axis of arbor support 16.

Snap die 14 is seated inside arbor 15 parallel to the axis of arbor 15. Thus, it is inclined with respect to the axis of arbor support 16.

Electric motor 17 is mounted parallel to the axis of arbor support 16 on housing 20. Belt 18 drives arbor support 16 in rotary motion and, due to the inclination of the axis of snap die 14 and its arbor 15, snap die 14 is given an orbital motion.

At the end of arbor support 16 opposite snap die 14, a lid that seals enclosure 20 serves as support for hydraulic pump 25. Hydraulic pump 25 comprises a piston 26, inlet valve 27 and outlet valve 28.

Piston 26 is moved back and forth by cam 29 mounted on arbor support 16 opposite snap die 14 and seated inside a recess made in lid 24.

Pump 25 is supplied with oil through a flexible hose 30 connected to an oil reservoir 31.

The oil reservoir is located in stationary rear part 2 of the machine.

Pump 25 supplies a hydraulic cylinder. The body of such cylinder is integral with stationary rear block 2. The chamber of the cylinder is formed by a blind bore 32 made in rear block 2. Piston 33 of such cylinder is integral with lid 24 of housing The cylinder is supplied with oil via channel 34 drilled in lid 24 and piston 33 connecting the pump outlet to the cylinder chamber.

When electric motor 17 is running, it drives arbor support 16 in rotary motion while pump supplies the hydraulic cylinder. Snap die 14 is consequently given an orbital motion combined with a translational motion brought about by the hydraulic cylinder.

The machine stops automatically as described below.

On the side of snap die 14, mobile block 3 comprises two pins 35 acting as mechanical stops. Each jaw 6 has a countersunk surface 36 facing a pin 35. Surface 36 is arranged in such a way that pin 35 abuts against it as pipe end 4 is flared.

When pins 35 abut against countersunk surfaces 36, mobile block 3 stops but motor 17 continues to run driving pump 25. Piston 33 of the cylinder no longer moves, the pressure in cylinder chamber 32 increases. A pressure sensitive switch 37 connected to such chamber 32 records this increase in pressure. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, pressure sensitive switch 37 controls a solenoid valve 38 which then connects cylinder chamber 32 with reservoir 31. The pressure consequently decreases and mobile block 3 is no longer pushed toward the stationary front part.

To cause mobile block 3 to return toward stationary rear block 2 (as shown in Figures 1 and springs 39 disposed between stationary front block 1 and mobile part 3 encircle the two columns 12.

Furthermore, to prevent damage to the machine, two spacer sleeves 40 disposed around springs 39 limit the travel of the mobile part. Thus, if motor 17 is started up inadvertently while there is no jaw 6 in the jaw holder, mobile block 3 comes to a stop due to spacer sleeves 40 while pressure sensitive switch 37 controls the return of mobile part 3.

Pressure sensitive switch 37 can control not only solenoid valve 38 but also the supply of power to motor 17. Thus, if the pressure rises too high, motor 17 is stopped.

The machine depicted in Figures 1 and 2 can of course be provided with a hood covering stationary rear part 2 and mobile part 3 and handles to facilitate transport of the machine. These accessories are not shown in the figures.

Figure 3 shows a sectional representation of a valve 41 having functions similar to those of pressure sensitive switch 37 and solenoid valve 38.

Such valve 41 is connected by its inlet 42 to cylinder chamber 32 and by its outlet 47 to reservoir 31. It comprises a calibrated valve 43 and a slide 44.

When the pressure in cylinder chamber 32 increases and exceeds a predetermined value which is adjustable by screw 45, calibrated valve 43 opens and connects the cylinder chamber with a chamber 46 located at one end of slide 44. Pressure then pushes slide 44 and slides it to a position where inlet 42 is connected with outlet 47, that is, cylinder chamber 32 is connected with reservoir 31.

To hold slide 44 in this position, a locking system is provided comprising a ball 48, a spring 49 and a recess 50 made in rod 51 which is an integral part of slide 44.

To reset the system when mobile block 3 returns to the position depicted in Figures 1 and 2, it is sufficient to provide an index (not depicted) to act on rod 51 to reset it to the position shown in figure 3.

In particular, valve 41 can be used if the above described machine is to be placed in a hazardous environment where there is risk of explosion. Electrical motor 17 is then replaced, for example, by a pneumatic motor so that the machine can run without sparks.

Figure 4 shows a device for automatically raising movable stop 8 required to position pipe end 4 when mobile block 3 moves toward stationary front part I.

The device comprises a lifting cam 52 mounted on mobile block 3. Such cam 52 has an inclined surface to interact with a lever that forms an integral part of movable stop 8 in such a way that when mobile block 3 moves toward stationary front part 1, movable stop 3 [sic] moves away from the position where it permits the proper positioning of pipe end 4.

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Machine for flaring pipe ends by snapping, including a snap die mounted on a support, two jaws forming a clamping tool to hold pipe end to be flared, driving means permitting an orbital motion of the snap die, driving means permitting the motion of the snap die toward pipe end and means permitting the motion of the snap die away from pipe end, wherein jaws are disposed in a stationary jaw holder forming a first block of the machine, that a second stationary block is facing the first block, and that a mobile block including snap die, its support and its driving means is provided with guiding means linking the two stationary blocks and driven in translational motion by a hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder body and a cylinder chamber disposed in the second stationary block and by a cylinder piston forming an integral part of the mobile block.

e 0. 2. Machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein snap die is mounted on an arbor which in turn is mounted by means of roller bearings on an arbor support oan which is driven in rotary motion by driving means giving an orbital motion to the snap die, with the axis of the snap die and its arbor forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the arbor support, thus making possible the orbital motion of •snap die.

rit3. Machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the driving means for an orbital motion of the snap die include a motor having an output shaft provided with a sheave which is linked to arbor support by a belt.

4. Machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is supplied by a hydraulic pump mounted on mobile block.

Machine in accordance with claims 2 and 4, wherein hydraulic pump includes a piston acted upon by a cam mounted at the end of the axis of rotation of the arbor support.

Claims

6. Machine in accordance with one of claims 4 or 5, wherein hydraulic pump supplies the hydraulic cylinder through the interior of the cylinder piston.
7. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 6, wherein mobile block includes at least one stop pin designed, at the end of travel, to abut against a jaw which clamps pipe end and that the machine includes a pressure sensitive switch which is connected to cylinder chamber and controls a solenoid valve such that when the pressure in cylinder chamber rises too high, cylinder chamber is connected with an oil reservoir.
8. Machine in accordance with claim 7, wherein the driving means which permit the orbital motion of the snap die include an electric motor, the power supply of which is cut off if pressure sensitive switch actuates solenoid valve. 0
9. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 6, wherein it includes a device which permits the linkage of cylinder chamber with an oil reservoir, which device includes a calibrated valve that opens when the pressure in cylinder chamber exceeds a predetermined value and a slide, one end of which communicates with cylinder chamber when valve is open, and controls the opening of a passage between cylinder chamber and oil reservoir. to
10. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the guiding means for the translational motion of mobile block include two columns connecting the two stationary blocks. too*
11. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 10, wherein the means for moving snap die away from pipe end to be flared include compression springs disposed between first stationary block and mobile block. 11
12. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 11, wherein the jaw holder has the shape of a dovetail in which the two jaws having a complementary shape engage, such that when snap die presses against pipe end a wedge effect causes the two jaws to move toward each other and thus to clamp the pipe.
13. Machine in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first stationary block includes a shoe which on the one hand faces a jaw when jaws are inserted in the jaw holder and on the other hand can be pushed toward such jaw by a cam actuated by means of a lever so as to move the two jaws towards each other and thus to hold pipe end in place.
14. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 13, wherein the first x"o stationary block includes a movable stop against which pipe end to be flared abuts so as to permit proper positioning within the clamping tool, which stop is articulated around an axis between a first position where it faces jaws on the side of snap die and a second position where it is remote so as not to interfere with the action of snap die on pipe end. :15. Machine in accordance with claim 14, wherein movable stop includes a :lever and that the mobile block is equipped with a cam having an inclined surface interacting with the the lever of the movable stop such as to cause stop :to move to its remote position when snap die moves in the direction of first ostationary block. °o ,°ioar lok
16. Machine in accordance with one of claims 1 through 15, wherein it includes an atomizer for spraying a lubricant oriented toward pipe end to be flared and mechanically actuated when mobile block moves toward first stationary block. DATED this 5th day of January, 1998 PARKER HANNIFIN SA WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA e. 9 *9 9 t 9* ABSTRACT "Machine for Flaring Pipe Ends by means of Snapping" This machine comprises a snap die (14) mounted on a support, two jaws forming a clamping tool for holding one end of pipe to be flared, driving means (17, 18) permitting an orbital motion of the snap die, driving means (25) permitting the snap die to move towards pipe end and means permitting it to move away from pipe end To obtain a simple structure and to make a machine of this type compact and easy to transport, jaws are disposed in a stationary jaw holder forming a first block A second stationary block faces this first block. A mobile block comprising snap die its support and its driving means (17) is provided with guiding means (12) connecting the two stationary blocks. Mobile block is driven in translational motion by a hydraulic cylinder disposed in the second stationary block Figure 1.