Tubing expander apparatus
AssigneeMidas International Corporation
InventorEdward J. Svoboda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved tubing expansion apparatus is disclosed which greatly facilitates convenient expansion of tubing, such as for repair and replacement of motor vehicle exhaust systems. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable expander unit and a separate pressurized fluid supply unit joined in fluid communication with the expander unit by a flexible fluid conduit. In order to provide selective control of the fluid supply unit from the expander unit, a trigger-like electrical switch is provided on the expander unit to permit remote operation of the fluid supply unit. Other features of the apparatus enhance its versatility for conveniently effecting varying degrees of expansion on tubing of different dimensions.
Claims15
An apparatus for expanding tubing, comprising:
- an expander unit including single-acting fluid-operated motor means, and outwardly movable, expansion jaw means operable by operation of said motor means in a first direction to effect expansion of tubing, said expander unit including biasing means for effecting movement of said motor means in a second direction opposite said first direction;
- a pressurized fluid supply unit for providing a source of pressurized fluid;
- conduit means joining in fluid communication said expander unit and said fluid supply unit for providing said motor means with pressurized fluid;
- and
- electrical switch means associated with said expander unit for remotely operating said fluid supply unit;
- said fluid supply unit comprising electrically powered fluid pump means adapted for continuous operation, and solenoid-operated valve means operatively connected with said electrical switch means for controlling the supply of pressurized fluid to said expander unit from said pump means via said conduit means, whereby actuation of said solenoid-operated valve means effects supply of pressurized fluid from said continuously operating pump means to said single-acting motor means of said expander unit for effecting tubing expansion, said biasing means effecting movement of said motor means in said second direction upon completion of tubing expansion.
An apparatus for expanding tubing, comprising:
- a hand-holdable expander unit, including a housing, a hydraulically operable single-acting fluid ram disposed within said housing, expansion arbor means operatively connected to said fluid ram and movable in a first direction by said fluid ram in response to fluid pressurization thereof, and outwardly movable, expansion jaw means mounted on said arbor means, movement of said arbor means in said first direction effecting outward, expanding movement of said jaw means for expanding tubing, said expander unit including biasing means for moving said fluid ram in a second direction opposite said first direction;
- a pressurized fluid supply unit including electric motor means and hydraulic fluid pump means adapted to be continuously driven by said electric motor means, said pump means being adapted to provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
- hydraulic fluid conduit means joining said expander unit and said fluid pump means of said fluid supply unit in fluid communication so that said fluid supply unit is adapted to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to said fluid ram of said expander unit;
- and
- electrical switch means mounted on said expander unit for remotely operating said fluid supply unit to control the supply of pressurized fluid from said fluid supply unit to said expander unit;
- said fluid supply unit including solenoid-operated hydraulic valve means in communication with said pump means for controlling the supply of pressurized fluid from said pump means to said fluid ram of said expander unit via said conduit means,
- said valve means being operable from a first, open position wherein pressurized fluid flow from said pump means is not supplied to said expander unit, to a second, closed position upon actuation thereof by said switch means wherein pressurized fluid is supplied to said expander unit from said continuously driven pump means to effect tubing expansion, said biasing means effecting movement of said fluid ram in said second direction upon completion of tubing expansion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.