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US 2013/0219980 A1Published application
Explosion forming system
AssigneeCosma Engineering Europe AG
InventorsAlexander Zak, Seetarama S. KOTAGIRI, Frank A. Horton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An explosion forming apparatus (10) that preferably utilizes a shock wave (42) directed along a work piece (12) to progressively conform the work piece to a contour die cavity (44).
Claims11
An apparatus for modifying a work piece, comprising:
- an ignition chamber for the generation of an explosion;
- a die having at least one wall defining a die cavity for receiving the work piece, the die cavity having a pressure inlet and a pressure outlet and wherein, the ignition chamber is fluidly connectable to the die cavity for the transmission of a pressure wave resulting from the explosion through the die cavity from its pressure inlet to its pressure outlet such that, in operation, the pressure wave modifies the work piece to at least partially conform to the at least one die cavity wall;
- and
- a pressure reducer disposed downstream of the die cavity pressure outlet that is configured to at least partially destroy the pressure wave.
1 more element
An apparatus for modifying a work piece having a longitudinal length, the apparatus comprising:
- an ignition chamber configured for generating a shock wave that has a shock wave length that is less than the longitudinal length of the work piece;
- a die having a die cavity for receiving the work piece;
- a transfer structure configured to convey the shock wave from the ignition chamber into the die cavity;
- wherein, in operation, the shock wave applies a localized pressure to the work piece in a direction that is transverse to the direction of travel of the shock wave, and wherein the die is holdable in the closed position by a selected die holding force;
- and
- a pressure reducer disposed downstream of the work piece configured to at least partially destroy the shock wave.
3 more elements
An apparatus for modifying a tubular work piece having a tubular wall and a tubular length, the apparatus comprising:
- an ignition chamber configured for generating a shock wave that has a shock wave length that is less than the tubular length of the work piece;
- a die having at least one wall defining a die cavity for receiving the work piece;
- a transfer structure configured to convey the shock wave from the ignition chamber into the die cavity;
- wherein, in operation, the shock wave applies a localized pressure to the tubular wall of the work piece in a direction that is transverse to the direction of travel of the shock wave so as to at least partially conform the tubular wall of the work piece against the at least one die wall;
- and
- a pressure reducer disposed downstream of the work piece configured to at least partially destroy the pressure wave, the pressure reducer being disposed upstream of one or more valves fluidly connectable to the die cavity.
3 more elements
A method for modifying a tubular work piece, comprising:
- a) providing an ignition chamber;
- b) providing a die having a die cavity for receiving the work piece;
- c) transferring the work piece into the die cavity;
- d) generating an explosion in the ignition chamber to generate a pressure wave in the ignition chamber;
- e) transmitting the pressure wave from the ignition chamber to the work piece to modify the work piece;
- f) transmitting the pressure wave out of the die cavity after step e);
- g) at least partially destroying the pressure wave after step f);
- and
- h) ejecting the work piece from the die cavity after step f).
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.