US2043665A - Apparatus for forming tubes - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1936. IVERSEN ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1952 7 sheets -sixeet l J m I June 9, 1936" I L. IVERSEN ET AL 2,043,665

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 N N INVENTORS Y June 9, 1936- L. IVERSEN ET AL 2,043,655

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS June 9, 1936.

L IVERSEN ET AL APPARATUS FdR FORMING TUBES iled Dec. 2, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm 313:: r

; )VENTORS June 9, 1935- L.-I\IIERSEN ET AL 2,043,655

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 2, 1932 INVENTORS J & 2%

Patented June 9, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- FOR FORMING TUBES Lorena Iversen, Pittsburgh, and Charles L. Raislg, Coraopolis, Pa., a'ssignors to 'Mesta Machine Company, Homestead, Pa., a corporation of Pc'nnsyl The present invention relates broadly to the art of metal working, and more particularly to metal bending and shaping whereby substantially flat sheets or plates may be formed into tubes,1

pipes and the like. V In this connection the term tubes will hereinafter be utilized in its generic sense as definitive of shapes having the general characteristics in question.

At the present time, there are two general methods in vogue for the forming up, usually cold, of long sheets or plates into tubular shape. In accordance with one of these methods the flat material is fed in a direction generally parallel to its longitudinal axis through a succession of roll stands providing passes of successively changing contour such that the edges are first curled up slightly to provide a channel shaped section, and thenthe curling up operation completed. While suciaa forming means may be satisfactorily utilized for accomplishing the intended purposes,

the number of stands required in order to complete the forming up operation represents a very large investment. The spacing incident to the location of the stands also extends the complete- .unit to such a length that a comparatively large.

to the control of the edges in-o'rderto prevent twisting or deformation thereof, have been such as to prevent any extended use of formers of this yp t In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a forming apparatus, which may be of a length such as to properly accommodate sheets or plates to be formed into tubes, and effective forproducing such a forming operation by grad- V uaily curving the parent metal around a mandrel,

anrlaccurately controlling the forming operation during the entireprocess. In this manner it is possible to produce an accurately formed tube, free from camber, and characterized by a seam line between the meeting edges which extends in a truly longitudinal direction and does not extend spirally of the blank. Such a blank is admirably suited to presentday welding methods, and facilitates the performance of a seam welding operation diagrammatically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings:--- Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus in accordance with our invention; v

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view partly in section and partly in elevation of the initial sizing pass;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view partly in elevation through one of the forming units;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view partly broken away and partly in section of the forming unit of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view generally similar to Figure 4, but illustrating the former unit in opened condi- Figures '7 to 13 both inclusive are diagrammatic views showing successive operations incident to the formation of a tube;

Figure 14 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the sizing pass; and

Figure 15 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, along the line XVXV of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figure 1, a metal forming or shaping apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a conveyor unit conveniently in the form of a roll table 2 of suitable construction and including a plurality of rolls adapted to be driven in. synchronism for effecting a feeding movement therealong of material placed thereon.

In actual practice, the rolls are driven in such direction as to effect a feeding movement in the direction of thearrow 3 of Figure 1.

Cooperating with thewreceiving end 4 'of the conveying unit 2 is a metal forming unit 5. This metal forming unit is illustrated in detail in Figure 3 as comprising a roll stand 6 containing upper and lower rolls 1 providing a pass 8 therebetween shaped to accommodate a flat sheet or plate to be formed into a tube. v

In line with the pass 8, and constituting edge engaging'and forming means for such a sheet or plate, are edge forming rolls 9 carried in suitable bearings I 0 adapted to be adjusted inwardly or outwardly by means of adjusting screws II. In this manner, it is possible to vary the position of the edge forming means 9 to cooperate with sheets .or plates of difierent widths. The pressure exerted by the rolls 1 through the medium 01' springs l2 may be increased or decreased at will by proper operation of spring adjusting screws l 4. In like manner, the position of the rolls and the width ofthe pass may be varied through a suitedges, is also eifective'for insuring uniform overe11 width throughout the length of the sheet or 'plate being passed through the forming unit.

The rolls I are adapted to be driven in any desired manner, as by a motor l1 and gear stand ID, the direction of rotation of the rolls being such that as the material is flattened, brought to "width and the edges trued, it passes onto the conveying unit 2. The conveying unit being in operation, the material is conveyed to a point adjacent the left hand end of the conveyor in front of a series of curling units l9, the number of which may be varied in accordance with the length of the metal being handled.

As will be apparent generally from Figure 1, there is a cross conveyor mechanism 2t effective for transferring material from the conveying unit 2 to the curling units l9. In FigureA of the drawings this cross conveyor mechanism is illustrated as comprising a, series of suitable guides in each of which is adapted to travel from a position in line with the conveying unit to a position adjacent the curling units, a pusher 22 carried on suitable rolls or wheels 22 and including pusher dogs 25 and 25.

It may be assumed by way of illustration that a piece of material M to be formed into a tube has passed through the forming unit 5 and has been delivered by the conveying unit to theposition illustrated in chain lines in Figure 4. In this position, an operation of the pusher 22 to the left will move the material from a position over the conveying unit to a position adjacent the conveying unit and intermediate the same and the curling units l9, as indicated at M in Figure 4:. Upon a return movement of the pusher 22 intothe full line position illustrated in Figure 4, each dog 25 will rotate about its pivotal mountings and pass freely under the next piece of material M on the conveying unit. Upon a. succeeding movement ofthe pusher 22 to the left as viewed in Figure 4, the dogs 24'on the respective .pushers will engage the material M and move it into the curling units,

while the dogs 25 will move a piece of material M from the conveying .unit into the position M. Upon the next return movement, the dogs 2d will pivot and pass freely under the material M, while the dogs. 25 will pivot and ,pass freely under the next piece of material M, if in position on the conveying unit. In most cases, however, the second piece of material will not arrive in the position M shown in Figure 4 until after the piece has been moved from position M' into the curling units. a

The operation of the pusher 22 is obtained by means of suitable operating links 26 operatively connected atone end to the pusher 22 in each of the guides 2|, and operatively connected at their other ends to an oscillating shaft 21. This shaft is conveniently joumaled in suitable bearings in the curling units l9, and may be operated in any desired manner for effecting the requisite movements of the pushers 22. Inasmuch as these pushers are all secured to'the same. shaft, it is apparentthat they will operate in unison upon each movement of the shaft, and thereby exert a. simultaneousand distributed feeding action/on the material.

As will be apparent. more particularly from Figures 4, 5 and 6 cf the drawings, each of the units comprises a base 28 of suitable construction providing a. pivotal mounting 29 about which the upper housing section 30 is openable from the full line position of Figure 4 to the full line position of Figure 6. In this opened position, the upper a pair of shaping shafts and 36, of generally similar construction. These shafts in all of the curling units are mounted in suitable bearings 31 in each of the curling units, as indicated for example in Figure 5, the bearings being adjustable vertically by means of suitable wedge adjusting mechanism 38. Carried by shaping rollers 35 and 3511s a mandrel 39, also extending through the various curling units and common thereto.

For preventing e'ndwise movement of the mandrel 39 relatively to the shaping shafts 35 and 36, the mandrel is provided with a collar 40 (Figure 5) adapted to interflt with suitable grooves 6| in the driving spindles 42 for the shaping shafts. Due to this construction, when the upper housing sections 30 are thrown to their open position as illustrated. in Figurefi, access to the mandrel may be freely had, and the mandrel bodily removed. Suitably journaled in the upper housing sections is a. backing up roll or shaft 43 adapted with the housing-sections in closed position to overlie the mandrel 39. The backing up shaft 43 is in turn backed up in each of the curling units by a pair of independent rollers M. Also carried by each of the housing sections 30 is a die 415, the various dies being of such length as to abut end for end,

as shown in Figure 2 and thereby provide a con- 4 tinuous die surface as hereinafter more fully pointed out.

The shaping shafts 35 and 3B are adapted to be driven through suitable spindles and 47 respectively, each spindle including universal' joints and adjustable couplings 38. By reason of the adjustability .of the couplings 38, it is possible to properly index the shaping shafts 35 and 36 to bring them into the desired cooperative relationship one to the other and to the other parts of' housing contains an intermediate gear 5| carried by a shaft 52 adapted to be driven through a suitable gear train 53 and motors 54. Meshing with the gear 5| is a similar gear 55 on a shaft 56, which shaft is operatively connected to the spindle 41. on the opposite side of the gear 5| is a second gear 51on a shaft 58 constituting the driving means forthe spindle 46, while above the gear 5| is a gear 59 on a shaft 60 constitut ing the driving meansfor the backing up spindle 49. For purposes which will hereinafter be more fully set forth, the operative connectionv be- --tween the gear 55 and the shaft 56 includes a pawl 6|, while asimilar pawl. constitutes an operative connection between the gear 61 and its shaft 58. v

In Figure 15 the direction of rotation of each of the parts is indicated by suitable arrows. By reason of the pawls 6| and 62, the gears 55 and 5'l when rotating in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 15 and as indicated by the arrows, will transmit rotation to the respective shafts 56 and 56, but the shafts may move ahead relative to the gears in case the drive for the shaping shafts and, 36is transferred from the spindles 46 and 41 to some other portion of the apparatus.

In Figure 7, we have indicated one edge of a piece of material M which has been advanced by the pushers .22 into a position between the mandrel 39 and the backing up shaft 43 with its front edge against the die 45. Rotation of the parts will cause the leading edge to gradually curl downwardly over the shaping surface of the individual die sections 65, and between the same and the mandrel 39, as indicated in Figure 8, this operation continuing as indicated in Figure 9.

Further rotation will bring the parts into'the relative position illustrated in Figure 10, wherein the leading edge 63 of the material is about to engage a shoulder 64 on the shaping shaft 35. In Figure 11 this engagement has been effected and the material has been advanced into a position between the mandrel 39 and the shaping shaft 35. Up until the time that the leading edge 63 of the material engages the shoulder 64, the periphery of the shaping shaft 35 at its portion of maximum diameter is in engagement with the mandrel 39. After this engagement, the eifective radius of the mandrel 39 is increased by the thickness of the material so that the peripheral speed of the mandrel plus the material, or the peripheral speed of the outer surface of the material is greater than the peripheral speed of the mandrel itself. Thus, with the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 11, the mandrel tends to rotate the shaping shaft 35 faster than it is driven by the gear 51. Therefore, the shaft 35 tends to drive the shaft 58 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 15 ahead of the gear 51, which relative movement is permitted by the pawl 62.

Continued rotation of the parts brings the leading edge 63 out of engagement with the shoulder 64 on theshaft 35 and into engagement with a shoulder 65 on the shaft 36. with the parts illustrated in the, position of Figures 10 and 11, the portion of maximum diameter of the shaft 36 is in driving engagement with the mandrel 39, but when the parts reach the position of Figure 12 and the effective radius ofthe mandrel 39 is increased, the shaft 36 tends to moveahead of relative motion being permitted by the pawl 6|.

Continued rotation will bring the parts into the position of Figure 13 wherein the material is completely formed around the mandrel with the adiacent edges thereof in opposed relationship and accommodated by a longitudinally extending depression 61 in the backing up shaft 43. The edges naturally tend to spring apart to some extent and unless the groove 61 were provided, there might be a binding action between the material. the mandreland thebacking up shaft 43 which would prevent endwise stripping of the blank from the mandrell The slight springing apart permitted by the depression, however, loosens the blank from the mandrel, as indicated inFigure 13, sothat it may be stripped axially therefrom.

In Figure 4, we have illustrated the stripper as comprising an arm 66 which extends inwardly 5 toward the mandrel and has its inner end contoured to substantially conform to the periphery of the mandrel. At its extreme outer end it is carried by a guide rod 69, as shown more particularly in Figure 2, guided in lugs 16 project- 10' ing outwardly from a cylinder H. The piston rod 12 of the cylinder engages the stripper .68 intermediate its inner end and the guide rod 69. Upon admitting fluid to the stripper cylinder 1|, the'stripper will be moved to the left as viewed 15 in figure 2. During this time its inner end will be in engagement with the end of the blank and the blank will thus be stripped endwise of the mandrel, bringing its left hand end as viewed in Figure 1 into the pass of a sizing unit I3 illus- 20 trated in detail in Figure 14; a f

This sizing unit conveniently comprises a series of rolls I4, herein illustrated as being four in number, providing a substantially enclosed pass around inner shaping rolls 15 carried by a man- 25 desired sizing pressure may be exerted on the its driving shaft 56 for reasons described, this blank for accurately crushing the same to the desired contour and accurate diameter. After moving through the sizing unit 13, it maybe stripped from the mandrel 16 in any desired manner and subjected to any further operations, such for example as a welding operation for completing the blank into a tube, pipe, or conduit or the like.

Since the apparatus includes a plurality of curl- 5 ing units arranged in side by side relationsh p; with sectional dies, the dies may be replaced individually as required to insure the maintenance of an accurate forming surface. Since all of the curling units are simultaneously operable on 0 a blank throughout substantially its entire length, the curling up operation may be accomplished without any tendency to impart a camber to the blank. At the same time, the shoulders 64 and 65 on the shaping shafts 35 and 36 55 constitute a positive guide means for the leading edge 63 of the material preventing it from twisting around .the mandrel '39. In the absence of any twisting," the edges will be brought into. opposed relationship as illustrated in Figure 13 60 along a substantially straight line free from any discernible spiral.

The provision of the indexing adjustments 48 in the spindles l6 and '41 enables the position of the shoulders 66 and 65 to be properly initially- 55 positioned one with respect to the other so that they will constitute edge engaging means and guiding means for the material being shaped into a blank.

The simultaneous curling of a blank through- 7 out its entire length into a tube of standard dimensions, while accurately controlling the position of' the blank, constitutes an important advantage of our invention by reason of the superior product thereby obtainable. 75

made without departing either from the spirit of our invention or the scope of our broader claims.

We claim: 1. Tube forming means, comprising a mandrel,

' a shaping shaft cooperating therewith and having portions of different diameters, and means for driving the shaping shaft, said means includ ing a connection permitting the shaping shaft to move at a speed equal to or greater than the speed of the driving means.

2. Tube forming means, including a mandrel, a shaping shaft, and a backing up shaft, said backing up shaft having a depression adapted to receive the meeting edges of a blank formed around the mandrel.

3. Tube forming means including a mandrel, a shaping shaft, a backing up shaft, said backing up shaft having a depression adapted to receive the meeting edges of a blank formed around the mandrel, and means for stripping a blank from said mandrel.

4. In a tube forming apparatus, a mandrel, means for feeding material around the mandrel, and a shaping shaft cooperating with the mandrel, said shaft having shoulders extending longitudinally thereof, substantially equal in height to the thickness of the material, providing an annular space for receiving successive portions-of the material as it is bent around the mandrel, to maintain shaping pressure between the mandrel and shaft with a fixed spacing of their axes.

5. Tube forming means comprising a. mandrel and a shaping shaft cooperating therewith forof substantial thickness around bending a plate the mandrel while passing between the mandrel and shaft, said shaft having a raised peripheral shoulder extending longitudinally, substantially equal in height to the thickness of the plate, for engaging the mandrel before entry and after passage of the plate between the mandrel and s a t.

6. Tube forming means, comprising a mandrel, means for feeding material around the mandrel, ashaping shaft supporting the mandrel, and mm gitudinally extending shoulders on the shapi shaft providing a pass between the mandrel and shaft for receiving the material while being bent around the mandrel and maintaining a fixed spacing of the axes of the mandrel and shaft be-- fore entry and after passage of the material therebetween.

7. The apparatus defined by claim 5 characterized by means for feeding the plate longitudinally into side-by-side relation with said tube forming means, and means for moving the plate laterally into the tube forming means.

8. The apparatus defined by claim 5 characterized by a plurality of spaced, individually removable bending dies cooperating with the mandrel.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 5 characterized by the fact that the tube forming means another of said sections, the

comprisesv a series of alined bending units, each including a separable bending die, the mandrel and shaping roll being common to all said units. 10. The apparatus described by claim 5 characterized by means for adjusting the position of 5 the shaping shaft relative to the mandrel.

11. The apparatus defined by claim 5 characterized by a drive for said shaping shaft, and means for adjusting the position of the shaping shaft relative to said driving means.

12. Tube forming means comprising a unit for curling metal plate, the unit having a mandrel and a shaping shaft cooperating therewith, the

mandrel and the shaft being rotatable I about axes spaced a substantially fixed distance apart, the shaping shaft having a sector of such radius that the peripheral surface of the sector lies in substantial engagement with the peripheral surface of the mandrel when such sector is presented to the mandrel by rotation of the shaft, the shaft having anothersector of smaller radius, the difference in radii of the two sectors being substantially equal to the thickness of the metal plate to be curled, whereby the last mentioned sector, when-presented to the mandrel by continued rov tation of the shaft, has its peripheral surface spaced from the peripheral surface of the mandrel a distance sufficient to accommodate the metal plate being worked, the last-mentioned sector being of sufficient peripheral length to accommodate the successive portions of the plate as it is fed between the mandrel and the shaft.

13. Tube forming means as defined in claim 12, characterized by a plurality of curling units of the character referred to, the mandrel and shaping shaft being common to all of said units.

14. Tube forming means as defined in claim 12, characterized by driving means for the shaping shaft including a releasably engaging connection to 'permit the shaping shaft to move at a speed 40 greater than the speed at which it is positively driven.

,15. Tube forming means as defined in claim 12, in which the curling unit includes openable sections, a backing up shaft carried by one of the sections, the shaping shaft being carried by another-of the sections.

16. Tube forming means as defined in claim 12, in which the curling unit includes openable sections, a backing up shaft carried byone of the sections, the shaping shaft being carried by another of the sections, the mandrel being rotatably supported at least partially by said shaping shaft.

17. Tube forming means as defined in claim 12, in which the curling unit includes openable sections, a backing up shaft carried by one of said sections, a plurality of shaping shafts carried by mandrel being rotatably supported on said shaping shafts, and 60 means on the shaping shafts for holding the znandrel against axial movement relatively thereo. v LORENZ IVERSEN.

CHARLES L. RAISIG.

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