Method of closing a capillary tube

A method of closing an end portion of a metallic tube comprising these steps of:

• (a) engaging first opposite portions of the tube at least adjacent the end portion thereof to be closed and forcing the first opposite portions in a first direction toward each other;
• (b) engaging second opposite portions of the tube at least adjacent the end portion thereof to be closed and urging the second opposite portions toward each other in another direction generally perpendicular to the first named direction;
• (c) pinching off the tube generally in the same direction as the first named direction to form at least a temporary seal at least adjacent the end portion of the tube and with the deformations of the tube during the engaging and forcing step, the engaging and urging step, and the pinching off step including moving a pair of dies with respect to each other at least in the first named direction and the another direction through a plurality of preselected paths;
• and
• (d) welding the end portion of the tube at least adjacent the at least temporary seal so as to insure the closure of the end portion of the tube.

A method of closing a metallic tube having a sidewall extending about an opening through the tube, the method comprising these steps of:

• (a) engaging first opposite portions of the sidewall of the tube and forcing the first opposite sidewall portions in a direction generally toward each other;
• (b) at least confining movement of second opposite portions of the sidewall of the tube generally in the same region as the first opposite sidewall portions in response to the movement of the first opposite sidewall portions toward each other;
• (c) squeezing the tube in the region of the first and second opposite sidewall portions so as to at least temporarily seal the opening in the tube and severing the tube at least adjacent the at least temporary seal so as to provide a free end on the tube, the deformations of the tube during the engaging and forcing step, the at least confining step, and the squeezing and severing step including moving a pair of dies with respect to each other in generally perpendicular directions through a plurality of preselected paths;
• and then
• (d) fusing the metal of the tube at least generally adjacent the free end of the tube to insure the sealing of the opening in the tube.

A method of closing an end portion of a metallic tube comprising these steps of:

• (a) forcing a first pair of generally opposite sides of the tube in a first direction generally toward each other;
• (b) at least limiting movement of a second pair of generally opposite sides of the tube in another direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and in response to the forcing of the first opposite side pair of the tube,
• (c) severing the tube so as to define the end portion thereof and to form at least a temporary seal at least adjacent the end portion of the tube;
• and
• (d) associating the tube and a supply of molten material as respective electrodes in an arc welding system and welding the end portion of the tube at least adjacent the at least temporary seal so as to effect the closure of the end portion of the tube.

A method of closing a metallic capillary tube having a sidewall extending about an opening through the tube comprising the steps of:

• (a) engaging first opposite positions on the sidewall of the tube and forcing the first opposite sidewall portions in a direction generally toward each other;
• (b) confining second opposite portions on the sidewall of the tube generally in the same region as the first opposite sidewall portions and urging the second opposite sidewall portions toward each other in another direction generally perpendicular to the first named direction;
• and
• (c) squeezing the tube in the region of the first and second opposite sidewall portions and severing the tube so as to provide at least a temporary seal at least adjacent the severed end of the tube, the deformation of the tube during the preceding engaging and forcing step, confining and urging step, and squeezing and severing step being respectively effected by moving at least one die of a pair thereof with respect to the other of the dies in generally perpendicular directions through a plurality of preselected paths.

A method of closing an end portion of a metallic capillary tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) crimping the tube to form at least a temporary seal adjacent the end portion thereof;
• (b) connecting the tube as an electrode in an arc welding system with a supply of molten solder forming the other electrode thereof and welding the end portion of the tube to insure the sealing thereof;
• and
• (c) immersing the end portion of the tube subsequent to the welding thereof into the supply of molten solder while the temperature of the end portion is elevated due to the welding thereof above the ambient temperature so as to adhere a protective mass of the solder onto the end portion of the tube.