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US 6,601,423 B1Granted
Fabrication of bent tubing
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorIvan Harry Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An approach to restoring the cross-section of a bent tube to circularity. The tube is placed into a fixture, so that pressurization does not remove the bend. Liquid is placed into the tube, and pressurized. Pressure is increased until the wall of the tube undergoes plastic deformation, and becomes circular.
Claims15
A method of processing a tube having (1) ends of elliptical cross-section and (2) a bend about an external center, comprising:
- a) confining the tube so that the bend does not change;
- b) pressurizing the tube until the cross-sections become circular.
A method, comprising:
- a) restraining a tube having a non-circular cross-section;
- b) introducing liquid into the tube;
- c) increasing pressure of the liquid;
- d) monitoring circularity of the tube;
- and
- e) when circularity reaches a predetermined level, terminating pressure in the tube.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) placing a sealed tube,
- i) which contains a bend about an external center, and
- ii) has a cross section of elliptical shape, with a minor diameter,
- into a fixture which prevents pressure within the tube from distorting the bend;
- b) introducing a liquid into the tube;
- c) pressurizing the liquid to a pressure P1;
- d) measuring the minor diameter;
- e) comparing the minor diameter to a target diameter;
- and
- f) progressively increasing the pressure until the minor diameter attains the target diameter.
7 more elements
Apparatus, comprising:
- a) a fixture for
- i) holding a tube which contains a bend about an external center, and
- ii) preventing deformation of the bend when the tube is pressurized;
- b) a pressure source for supplying pressurized liquid to the tube;
- c) a regulator for regulating pressure of the liquid within the tube;
- d) sensors for producing signals which indicate circularity of the cross-section of the tube;
- and
- e) a controller for
- i) receiving the signals;
- ii) determining whether circularity has reached a target and, if not, increasing pressure within the tube by actuating the regulator.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.