Method and apparatus for bending tubes with end fittings

Abstract

A bending die and a method of using the die to bend a pipe or the tube closely adjacent to an end of the tube having an end fitting is described. The bending die has a bending die member with a generally circumferentially extending groove around which the pipe or tube is bent. A clamping die member clamps an end portion of the tube against the bending die member. A clamping jaw member removably attached to the clamping jaw member, has a generally planar clamping face that contacts the end fitting on the pipe or tube. The bending die member defines a notch to accommodate a portion of the end fitting when the tube end is initially clamped to the bending die member. The method of bending the pipe or tube encompasses the steps of cutting the pipe to length, attaching the end fitting to the end of the pipe or tube (such as by welding), inspecting the end fitting-tube joint and subsequently bending the tube. In order to bend the tube, the end of the pipe or tube having the end fitting is placed into a portion of the groove on the bending die member such that the end fitting may be accommodated in the notch formed in the bending die member. The clamping die member than clamps this end of the tube against the bending die member such that a clamping jaw member removably attached to the clamping die member, has a generally planar clamping face that contacts the end fitting. The bending die member is then rotated relative to the pipe or tube to place initial bend in the tube.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.