Adjustable tube bending method and apparatus
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorEverett A. Cutter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for producing smooth, continuous arcuate contour bends in tubes used, for example, in the manufacture of fuel manifolds for gas turbine engines. A flexible die cavity circumscribing an arbor member with an integral adjustment feature are utilized to provide means for modifying the radius of curvature of the forming die cavity to compensate for variable tube spring back characteristics. A first embodiment provides for infinite adjustment of radius of curvature within range limits, while an alternate embodiment provides for incremental adjustment. Means are also provided to lock the adjustment feature once the desired radius of curvature has been achieved.
Claims10
A tube bending apparatus comprising:
- a first arcuate die cavity body having a first continuous external surface along at least a portion of a circumference thereof, said first surface having a first radius of curvature;
- a second arcuate die cavity follower having a second external surface along at least a portion of a circumference thereof coplanar with said first external surface and converging with said first external surface at a common tangency producing a tube forming zone therebetween;
- clamp means for clamping a portion of a tube in a fixed location relative to said first die cavity body;
- draw means for drawing said tube through said forming zone while wrapping said tube around said first external surface of said portion of said circumference of said first die cavity body;
- and
- adjustment means for changing said radius of curvature of said first die cavity body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.