Crimping tool for tubular-like objects and method
OwnerEdward J. Gorenc, Ulles E. Fox +1inventors
InventorsEdward J. Gorenc, Ulles E. Fox, Imre A. Lesko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable tool and associated method for exerting crimping-like pressure on a tubular-like object, such as a boiler tube or the like, for deforming the latter from the exterior thereof, in order to diminish its peripheral dimension and facilitate its removal from secured relation to a boiler drum or the like; the tool comprises a frame with a power unit coacting with the frame and having a force applying head coupled to the power unit for applying a crimping force along an area running generally lengthwise of the exterior of the tubular-like object, when the latter is held between the frame and the head.
Claims18
In a tool for exerting a crimping like force on a boiler tube or the like, mounted in relatively closely spaced relation to other similar tube elements projecting generally laterally from an associated boiler drum, for physically deforming the tube from the exterior thereof along an area running generally lengthwise of the tube for removal of the latter from attachment to the drum comprising, a frame, reciprocal fluid power means mounted on said frame and adapted for extension and retraction generally lengthwise of the frame, said frame including a closed, relatively thin collar portion at one end thereof disposed generally symmetrically on opposite sides of an axis running lengthwise of said frame and generally parallel to the direction of extension and retraction of said power means, said collar portion being adapted to receive therethrough an associated tube, and a force applying non-piercing head secured to said power means for applying deforming force to the tube when the latter is disposed in extending relation through said collar portion of said frame between said collar portion and said head, and upon application of pressurized fluid to said power means for causing extension of said power means, said collar portion including an underside surface adapted for general engagement with the exterior of the boiler drum in the operative position of the tool wherein an associated tube is received through said collar portion preparatory to removal of the tube, said head commencing generally adjacent the plane of said underside surface and extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom so as to be operative to apply the deforming force lengthwise of the associated tube commencing generally adjacent the connection of the associated tube to the boiler drum.
In a method of removing a tubular-like object, such as a boiler tube or the like, from secured relation to a boiler drum comprising the steps of, severing the object so as to provide a stub section thereof extending outwardly from the exterior of the drum, providing a tool comprising a frame having a reciprocal fluid power means mounted on said frame, for extension and retraction lengthwise of said frame, with said frame including a collar portion, a force applying head secured to said power means for applying a deforming force to the stub section, positioning the tool over the stub section so that the stub section extends through the collar portion intermediate the latter and said head, and actuating the power means to apply deforming force to the stub section along an area lengthwise thereof so as to crimp the stub section and thus reduce the dimension of the exterior periphery of the stub section, thereby loosening it from its secured relation.
A portable tool for removing a tubular-like object such as a boiler tube from its associated opening in the boiler drum with the tube being mounted in relatively closely spaced relation to other similar tubes projecting laterally from the drum, comprising, in use closed, relatively thin means for engaging the tube from one side thereof commencing generally adjacent the connection of the tube to the drum and extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom generally lengthwise of the tube and in generally non-interfering relation with adjacent tubes, said engaging means including an underside surface adapted for general engagement with the exterior of the boiler drum in the operative condition of the tool with an associated tube coacting with said engaging means, and means coacting with said engaging means for applying crimping force to the opposite side of the tube, the last mentioned force applying means including a relatively thin generally vertically oriented non-piercing web commencing generally adjacent the plane of said underside surface and extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom and fluid power means connected to said web, and being operable to apply crimping force generally lengthwise of the tube commencing generally adjacent the base of the tube where it is secured to the boiler drum and extending for a predetermined distance outwardly along the tube.
In a portable tool for exerting a crimping-like force on a boiler tube or the like mounted in relatively closely spaced relation to other similar tube elements projecting generally laterally from an associated boiler drum, for physically deforming the tube from the exterior thereof along an area running generally lengthwise of the tube for removal of the latter from attachment to the drum, comprising, a frame, reciprocal fluid power means mounted on said frame and adapted for extension and retraction generally lengthwise of said frame, a force applying, non-piercing head secured to said power means and adapted for reciprocal movement along an axis extending lengthwise of said frame, said frame at said one end thereof including a closed, in use, relatively thin, rigid collar portion which, in plan, is open at the top and bottom thereof for receiving therethrough the associated boiler tube, said collar portion comprising a generally concave inner side surface for engaging an associated tube from one side thereof, said collar portion being adapted for holding the tube from one side thereof in non-interfering relation to adjacent tubes, said frame including side walls extending generally lengthwise of said frame from said collar portion and defining in conjunction with said collar portion a generally U-shaped configuration in plan, said power means being disposed between said side walls, said collar portion including an underside adapted for general engagement with the exterior of the boiler drum in the operative condition of the tool with a boiler tube extending through said collar portion, said head commencing generally adjacent the level of said underside surface and extending upwardly therefrom, said head being adapted to engage the tube from the opposite side thereof for applying deforming force to the associated tube commencing adjacent the connection of the latter to the boiler drum, when the latter tube is disposed in extending relation through said collar portion, and upon application of pressurized fluid to said power means for causing extension of said power means, said collar portion being generally symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of said axis.
In a portable tool for exerting a crimping-like force on a boiler tube or the like mounted in relatively closely spaced relation to other similar tube elements projecting generally laterally from an associated boiler drum, for physically deforming the tube from the exterior thereof along an area running generally lengthwise of the tube for removal of the latter from attachment to the drum, comprising, a frame, reciprocal fluid power means mounted on said frame and adapted for extension and retraction generally lengthwise of said frame, a force applying, non-piercing head secured to said power means and adapted for reciprocal movement along an axis extending lengthwise of said frame, said frame at one end thereof including a closed, relatively thin, rigid collar portion which, in plan, is open at the top and bottom thereof for receiving therethrough the associated boiler tube, said collar portion being adapted for holding the tube from one side thereof and in non-interfering relation to adjacent tubes, said head being adapted to engage the tube from the opposite side thereof and being so arranged so as to apply crimping deforming force to the associated tube lengthwise thereof, commencing generally adjacent the base of the latter when the latter tube is disposed in extending relation through said collar portion, and upon application of pressurized fluid to said power means for causing extension of said power means, said collar portion being symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of said axis, and wherein said frame in plan, is of generally U-shape configuration including an arcuate end section at one end of said frame, and generally parallel extending side wall sections, said arcuate end section comprising said collar portion, the other end of said frame having a rear end wall section extending between and connecting said side wall sections, said rear end wall section mounting said power means at one end thereon, and a handle secured to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said frame rearwardly of said collar portion, said handle in use projecting upwardly from said side wall sections and bridging the latter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.