Apparatus and method for reshaping tubes
AssigneeLindab AB
InventorLars-Åke Mattsson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a method of reshaping a tube, an apparatus is used which has a roller nip for rotating the tube, and a shaping roller assembly for altering the cross-section of the tube, for instance from round to oval.
Claims25
An apparatus for reshaping a tube, said tube having a wall with a periphery, an inner surface, an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and a closed cross-section having at least one radius of curvature, comprising:
- means configured to rotate said tube about said longitudinal axis in said apparatus;
- a first shaping roller parallel with said longitudinal axis of said tube and configured to engage said outer surface of said tube;
- a second shaping roller parallel with said longitudinal axis of said tube and configured to engage said inner surface of said tube;
- and
- means configured to move said first and second shaping rollers in relation to each other and in relation to said rotation means, in order to apply bending forces to said tube wall for altering said at least one radius of curvature and thereby reshaping said closed cross-section of said tube.
A method of reshaping a tube, comprising the steps of:
- providing a tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and a closed cross-section having at least one radius of curvature;
- rotating said tube about said longitudinal axis by rotation means;
- engaging a first shaping roller with said outer surface of said tube;
- engaging a second shaping roller with said inner surface of said tube;
- and
- moving said first and second shaping rollers in relation to each other and in relation to said rotation means to apply bending forces to said tube wall for altering said at least one radius of curvature and thereby reshaping said closed cross-section of said tube.
A roller unit for reshaping a tube having a closed cross-section and a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a first roller assembly configured to rotate said tube about said longitudinal axis,
- a second roller assembly configured to apply bending forces to said tube directed towards or away. from said tube, thereby altering said closed cross-section of said tube, said second roller assembly movable in relation to said first roller assembly.
A method of reshaping a tube having a longitudinal axis and a closed cross-section, comprising:
- providing a tube having a longitudinal axis and a closed cross-section;
- providing a roller arrangement for reshaping said tube, at least one shaping roller being disposed inside said tube and at least one shaping roller being disposed outside said tube;
- rotating said tube about said longitudinal axis;
- moving said shaping rollers along inner and outer surfaces of said tube to apply bending forces to said tube independently of said rotating step to thereby alter at least one radius of curvature of said tube to reshape said cross-section of said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.