US3771343A - Swaging tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A swaging tool for joining the ends of a number of tubes by a coupling member that may be a straight sleeve, an elbow, a tee, a cross, or some other configuration, said tool comprising swaging elements normally loosely mounted when in open position for receiving the members to be joined, and force supplying means acting substantially simultaneously on the die elements to move the die elements relative to each other and to the members to be joined so as to circumferentially enclose and radially inwardly swage the members.

Description

PATENTEBnuv 13 I975 sum 1 [IF 3 SWAGING TOOL This application is a continuation of my prior application Ser. No. 28,578, filed Apr. 15, 1970, now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in radial swaging tools, and is more particularly directed to an unique small-sized, but extremely efficient and powerful radial swaging tool.

The present tool has been developed for the purpose of practicing the swage-joining of tubes in a high pressure hydraulic system and the like; one such fitting being disclosed in my application Ser. No. 739,528 filed June 24, 1968 and entitled Coupling Fitting for Connecting Two Parts. In that prior application the fitting was swaged by axial movable dies. In the embodiment shown in this application the swaging tool performs the swaging operation by a plurality of die elements that are interchangeably carried in a pair of movable die blocks which do not have to be directly interconnnected but which cooperate with each other in a unique manner to be set forth in the following specification.

The objects of the invention are to provide a simple lightweight and compact swaging tool, to provide a swaging tool that may be manually held and which will fit into small, generally hard to reach areas where tubing is required to be joined, to provide a simple arrangement in which the tool may be mounted and dismounted without requiring an excessive amount of space or working area, and to provide a tool that may be quickly mounted and dismounted so that the joining of two tubes can be accomplished with the expenditure of a minimum amount of time.

The foregoing objects of the invention are obtained in a swaging tool comprising a pair of die blocks operatively mounting swaging elements which make up a complete complementary circumference surrounding the coupling member to be swaged, and force supplying means acting substantially simultaneously on the die blocks to move the die blocks relatively toward each other and effectively close the swaging elements radially onto the coupling member with the required amount of force to radially contact the coupling member over the end of a tube.

The objects of the invention are also obtained in an improved swaging tool for swaging a sleeve member onto a tube, which tool comprises a body having a working space closed at the bottom and two opposed spaced sides with the working space open at the opposite ends between the sides so as to receive the sleeve member and tube to be swaged, a die block mounted adjacent the bottom wall in the working space, a second die block receivable in the working space adjacent the first die block and in position to engage both the sleeve and tube, means between the side walls and the second mentioned die block to retain the latter die block in the working space, force applying means adjacent the bottom wall engaged with the first mentioned die block to force the die blocks relatively toward each other, and means adjacent one of the open sides of the tool body and generally in alignment with the die blocks so as to be in a position to resist the axial thrust of the elongation of the sleeve member upon circumferential swaging thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE- DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of the radial compression tool of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective veiw of the tool of FIG. 1 showing the components of the tool with the main frame partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the inner and outer die blocks and the parts and elements operatively carried by the die blocks;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the assembled tool as seen alongline 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken atline 6--6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another sectional view taken at line 7-7 in FIG. 5 showing the tube ends mounted in a sleeve with one portion of the sleeve radially swaged upon a tube end;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the tool seen at line 88 in FIG. 7 but with an elbow sleeve radially swaged upon a tube end; i

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 99 in FIG. 7, showing the tool in closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a further fragmentary sectional view showing additional details of a modification of radial swaging dies having faces configured for indenting both cylindrical sleeve and tubing end portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SWAGING TOOL Reference will be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 for a general understanding of the radial swaging tool construction. The tool comprises abody 12 formed with abottom wall 13 apertured at 14 to open to apiston chamber 15 supplied with pressure fluid by a conduit orswivel connection 16. Themeans 16 also exhausts thechamber 15. Thebody 12 hasopposite side walls 17 and a connectingend wall 18 opposite an open end formedwith facingparallel slide grooves 19 formed in therespective side walls 17 adjacent the open end. Theend wall 18 is formed with asemi-circular socket 20 having agroove 21 formed therein. The upper margin of eachside wall 17 is formed with spaced and inwardly projectingteeth 22 thebottom surfaces 23 of which'are an- I gularly undercut for a purpose to appear.

The body 12 (FIG. 3) receives alower die block 24 in which are operably assembled a plurality (three in number) of dieelements 25. Thedie block 24 is moved into thebody 12 through the open end betweenslide grooves 19, and acylindrical boss 26 on its lower surface is adapted to seat in the body aperture 14 when properly installed in thebody 12. Anupper die block 17 is formed to receive a plurality of die elements 25 (these die elements may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5), and the opposite margins of the die block have a plurality of'spacedteeth 28 theupper surfaces 29 of which are bevelled to match thebottom surfaces 23 of the bodyside wall teeth 22. The spacing of the body-side wall teeth 22 is such that theteeth 28 on the margins of theupper die block 17 may pass therebetween upon moving thedie block 27 into position on top of thelower die block 24. After insertion of theupper die block 17, it is moved axially until the teeth surfaces 23 and 29 fully mesh.

The components of FIG. 3 include alocking slide 30 for thedie blocks 24 and 27, the slide havingside flanges 31 which are received in theslide grooves 19 in the open end of thebody 12, and a removable back-up fitting 32 of U-shape having aflange 33 received in theslide groove 21 in theend wall 18. Alock element 34 is secured toend wall 18 by a threadedmember 35 engaging in a threadedopening 36. The dieblock locking slide 30 is provided with asuitable handle 37 located centrally below a tube-receiving upwardly openingcutout 38.

The several components carried by therespective die blocks 24 and 27 may be seen in FIG. 4 to which reference will now be directed. It will be understood that each die block carries a plurality of dieelements 25 which are substantially similar and each of which, in FIG. 4, is formed with a formingface 39 which is an axially elongated segment of a cylinder having opposite outwardlybevelled ends 40 and a projectinglip 41. One longitudinal margin of eachdie element 25 is formed with arecess 42 to receive aresilient spacer element 43 which operates to maintain the die elements in an open position, substantially evenly spaced, to permit coupling insertion for joining tube ends. In FIG. the die elements are shown in open position, and in FIG. 9 they are closed about a tube and coupling sleeve.

The lower die block 24 (FIG. 4) is formed with three interiorelongated faces 44. Thedie elements 25 are placed against thesefaces 44, andopposite end keepers 45 of semi-circular form are mounted by radially extendingflanges 46 in receivinggrooves 47 in the opposite ends of thedie block 24.Keeper clips 48 are placed across the back of thedie block 24 such that thearms 49 fit intoradial end grooves 50 in thedie block 24 and extend inwardly. Therespective ends 51 of theclip arms 49 snap into receivingsockets 52 in therespective keepers 45 to retain the keepers engaged over the respective axiallyprojecting lips 41 on the dieelements 25. Thekeepers 45 loosely retain the dieelements 25 so that there is radial and tangential movement, and initially theresilient elements 43 hold the die elements in spread-out positions against the die blockinner faces 44.

Theupper die block 27 is similarly formed with keep- 7ers 45 andretainer clips 48, and the several parts thereof will have similar reference numerals to designate the same as for the lower die block components. Theupper die block 27, however, is provided withaxial seats 53 and alignedend grooves 54 to receive theclips 48 andclip arms 49 respectively. Since the upper die block is inserted as a separate loose assembly, an auxiliary locatingmember 55 is required. Theauxiliary keeper 55 is formed with spaced axially inwardly directedfingers 56 at opposite sides of a central cut-out 57. Thefingers 56 extend inwardly to locate the sleeve fitting (FIGS. 7 and 8) axially and retain it in position.

Thekeeper 55 is secured byopposite ears 58 and threadedelements 59 against the end of thedie block 27 at the at the threadedapertures 60.Ears 58 also act as stops to bear on the end ofouter teeth 22, thereby locating dieblock 17 inside walls 17 and accurately positioning dies 25 mounted inblock 27.

The assembly of the tool of FIG. 1 is seen in greater detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and reference is now made to these views. Thecylindrical boss 26 on the underside of theinner die block 24 fits into the body aperture 14 and serves as a piston rod for thedie block 24. Asnapin retainer plug 61 is received in thebore 62 of theboss 26, and a pair of dependingfingers 63 havingbulbous end portions 64 snap downwardly into asocket 65 in the central portion of thepower piston 66 to hold the die block and piston in operative association. The power piston is initially seated in thesocket 67 of aclosure cap 68 threadedly received in the open lower end of thecylinder 15. Aseal ring 69 is mounted in the axial flange of thecap 68 to engage theinner wall 70 of the cylinder. Thepower piston 66 has its enlargedskirt 71 slidably received in the cylinder and aseal ring 72 is carried thereby to engage thecylinder wall 70. Apiston return spring 73 is mounted in anannular recess 74 in the piston and its inner end abuts the bottom wall of thebody 12.

TOOL OPERATION Supply of pressure fluid throughconduit 16 drives thepiston 66 upwardly (FIG. 5) against thereturn spring 73 and raises theinner die block 24 by engaging theboss 26. Theinner die block 24 moves toward theouter die block 27 which is securely held by the engagement of theteeth 28 with body side wall teeth 22 (FIG. 5). The initial spacing of the inner andouter die blocks 24 and 27 is chosen such that therespective die elements 25 have the desired operating reaction to close radially upon the coupling sleeve S (FIG. 7) and swage it upon the end portion of the tube T positioned within the sleeve S. The radial swaging of the sleeve S produces some axial elongation of the sleeve and this is accommodated by clearance between the back-up fitting 32 carried in theend wall 18 of thetool body 12 andspring fingers 56. As is seen, theend wall 18 is spaced from the dieblocks 24 and 27 to accommodate the length of the sleeve S that extends outwardly from the die blocks. After the first portion of the sleeve S has been swaged onto the tube T the fluid pressure is exhausted to allow the die blocks to open up (FIG. 5).

Thetool body 12 may then be taken off and turned end for end or rotated (FIG. 7) an d l ocated with the d'i'elements 25 over th e left hand portion of sleeve S, whereupon the admission of pressure fluid will actuate thedie blocks 24 and 27, as before, to complete the swaging of the sleeve upon the second tube T.

During the application of pressure fluid on the power MODIFICATIONS The present tool is small and compact so it willeasily fit into restricted spaces, and it may be initially angularly located or turned on sleeve fittings to a position where thepressure fluid conduit 16 will not interfere with adjacent structures such as can be found in aircraft construction. The body is capable of withstanding pressure fluid up to several thousand pounds per square inch. The view of-FIG. 7 is of the present swaging tool as applied to a straight sleeve for connecting two tube end portions in axial alignment.

The tool may also be applied to other types of fittings and one has been shown in FIG. 8 where the tube T is (see FIG. to provide guidance for the elbow E and I prevent its movement from the desired alignment.

In FIG. 10 there is shown amodified configuration for the swaging die elements, and in this view thedie elements 25A are formed with a corrugated or suitable configured face 39A which will produce a circumferentially indented sleeve portion on the elbow E, as well as also indenting the tube T. In other respects the tool shown in FIG. 10 is substantially identical with the tool heretofore described.

The tool heretofore described, including its modifications, is intended to radially swage and effect joining of tubes by either straight sleeves, elbows, tees or crosses, to name a few of the various tube joining devices. A wide variety of tubing materials may be assembled with the present tool. Fittings may be formed of steel, aluminum, titanium,'copper or other material and the tubes may be formed of corresponding material or or different materials. For example, a steel sleeve may be used for joining high or medium strength stainless steel tubing or for joining high strength steel tubing, titanium tubing, or aluminum tubing.

It will be understood that the present tool is equipped with six swaging die elements which are loosely contained in inner and outer die blocks, and all are subject to the swaging action upon delivery of a pressure fluid at one point on the inner die block. The present tool may be utilized for a range of fittings merely by interchanging the die elements. In mounting the tool in operative position it is necessary to remove theouter die block 27 and this is done by sliding the die block axially the distance of onetooth 28 so that therespective teeth 28 will pass through the spaces between theteeth 22 of thebody walls 17. The tube coupling sleeve, elbow, tee, or cross is inserted in the lower die block and the outer die block is then slid back into position so that thedie elements 25 are loosely positioned surrounding the portion of the sleeve or connector that is to be swaged. Pressure fluid is then admitted at theconduit 16 and this results in the displacement of the lower die block 24 (FIG. 5) outwardly toward theouter die block 27. Thedie elements 25 close about a fitting and apply a radial inwardly directed swaging force simultaneously around the circumference of the fitting. As the fitting is swaged, axial loads are generated which are taken at the back-up element 32 (FIG. 7) and by theresilient fingers 56 ofauxiliary keeper 55. The axial and radial loads cause the elements to slide in the inner and outer die blocks. To minimize friction under the tremendous swaging loads imposed, Teflon is applied to one surface of each sliding pair of surfaces. Lubricants, as fluorocarbon spray, baked-on dry film lubricants, or other type may be used. It may be preferable to treat thesurfaces 44 in the die blocks 24 and 27, although the back surfaces of thedie elements 25 may be coated or treated with suitable lubricant material. The friction minimizing coating is not conveniently shown in the drawing, but it is appreciated that the surface subject to sliding reaction can be treated in the manner set forth.

It is comtemplated that for low strength materials such as copper or aluminum, it is possible to avoid the use of pressure fluid by replacing themember 68 with a screw threaded jack element, cam device, or other force amplification mechanism that will exert the required swaging pressure on theboss 26 at the underside of theinner die block 24. A small, externally mounted hand crank may be used to exert the required swaging pressure. Electrical or pneumatic motor drives may also be employed.

It should be appreciated that the present tool is uniquely designed to obtain great swaging force with an exceedingly small and low weight tool. The present tool is unique in that the fitting is accurately positioned during the swaging to prevent axial squeeze-out of the fitting. The principle of using normally loosely mounted die elements is unique, and all of the die elements are reversible and interchangeable. The die sector interior conical angle of approximately 15 imparts an improved gripping function between the sleeve and the tube being joined. The material flash which is usually formed between the parting line of swaging dies is kept to an acceptable limit, and the ramp angles where the die elements are supported in the die blocks may be optimized for good reaction with proper lubricant treatment so that the swaging force may be easily transmitted, substantially uniformly around the circumference of the fitting being swaged.

Versatility of the tool is unique in that various types of threaded fitting ends may be swaged to many tube types. A significant reduction is expected in tubing rejects due to tube end preparation, as in flaring.

Although six die sections have been employed in the present design, it becomes obvious that a greater or lesser number of dies may be employed with a corresponding change in die block ramp angles.

What is claimed is:

1. A swaging tool for joining the end of a tube in a coupling member by swaging the tube and coupling into connection, said tool comprising a pair of die blocks movable relative to each other between open and closed positions, each of said die blocks operatively supporting at least three swaging die elements in side-by-side position such that an intermediate one of said-die elements is movable between a position floating in said die blocks with said die blocks open and a position solidly engaged in said die blocks with said die blocks closed and the other die elements are slidable relative to and in said die block and movable substantially radially from said die element to a position to embrace said die element upon die block closing movement and force said intermediate die element into said solidly engaged position, and means engaged with both of said die blocks to apply swaging force thereon simul- I taneously, said last means having a substantially rigid body engaged with one die block and a force applying means in said body engaged with the other one of the die blocks and movable in said body.

2. The tool ofclaim 1 wherein said body is formed with a working space defined between a pair of opposed walls having retaining elements and a third wall joining said pair of walls and formed with a cylinder to receive said piston, said one of said die blocks being normally engaged by said retaining elements and said other one of said die blocks being initially engaged on said third wall and movable therefrom into closed position by said piston.

3. In a tool for circumferentially swaging a sleeve member onto a tube, the improvement which comprises a tool body having a working space therein defined by bottom and opposed spaced side walls, said working space being generally open at opposite sides between said side walls to receive the sleeve member and tube to be swaged, a first die block mounted in said working space adjacent said bottom wall, a second die block receivable in said working space adjacent said first die block and in position to engage upon the sleeve and tube to be swaged, means on said side walls and second die block engaged with each other to retain said die block in the working space, force applying means adjacent said bottom wall engaged with said first die block, and means on said tool body adjacent both of said open sides and located generally in alignment with said die blocks, said last means allowing axial elongation of the sleeve member and resisting the axial thrust of the sleeve and tube with circumferential swaging of the sleeve member.

4. The tool improvement of claim 3 wherein said second die block retaining means includes spaced elements on said opposed side walls and matching spaced elements on said second die block, said spaced elements being movable into engaging registration upon relative axial displacement of said tool body and second die element, the axial movement amounting to substantially the axial dimension of one space between said spaced elements.

5. A swaging tool for radially swaging a sleeve over an internally telescoped part, said tool consisting of a body formed with a piston chamber adjacent one end and said body having an opposite end extending axially outwardly from said piston chamber, a first die block at said opposite end, a second die block received in said opposite end of the body between said first die block and said piston chamber, a piston recipracably operative in said piston chamber, a piston rod movable axially in said body and engaged between said piston and second die block, a source of pressure fluid connected to said piston chamber to supply fluid to displace said piston rod and second die block toward said first die block, swaging die means carried by said die blocks in position to engage the sleeve around its circumference and swage it about the internally telescoped part, said die means responding to the application of pressure fluid on said piston by conforming to the configuration of the sleeve and swaging it onto the internally telescoped part, and means in said piston chamber retracting said piston to permit separation of said second die block from said first die block upon completion of the swaging.

6. The swaging tool set forth inclaim 5 wherein said swaging die means have configured faces to radially indent the sleeves into the internally telescoped part, and said die means are removably mounted in said die blocks.

7. The swaging tool set forth inclaim 5 wherein said first and second die blocks are relatively slidable into and out of said opposite end of said body, and said body is provided with means adapted to engage said first die block upon sliding the same into said opposite end.

UNITED js AT s PATENT OFFICE 1 I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,711,343. Dated Nov; .13, 1973 Inventor(s) -A- n I Q 7 v It is certified that error appears in th above-ident ifid patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 2, at i.r 1e."53, humeral, 1-7 shouic l i l' xgrie" 27', i n: th'sam'e colxIInrI a t l i ne th' numeral I7 have bee 27-, irI the' sia jni c hImI Iat' lin e' 6 3, 17 shou'ld-haxfe v In 3 t li n eirs9 f Izh eixjptneral '17 (first c aceru' r lc i) v s l loiil-d have 27'. f i

S ig n ed' arid s 'a le d t' zhis 214t da of Septembr 1'9 74; j

, (SEAL) Attest: I

McCOY GIBSON 'J'RLQY c. MARSHALL .Attesting Officer I mi s n r 15 f FORM PO-1050 (10-69) v v

Claims (7)

1. A swaging tool for joining the end of a tube in a coupling member by swaging the tube and coupling into connection, said tool comprising a pair of die blocks movable relative to each other between open and closed positions, each of said die blocks operatively supporting at least three swaging die elements in side-by-side position such that an intermediate one of said die elements is movable between a position floating in said die blocks with said die blocks open and a position solidly engaged in said die blocks with said die blocks closed and the other die elements are slidable relative to and in said die block and movable substantially radially from said die element to a position to embrace said die element upon die block closing movement and force said intermediate die element into said solidly engaged position, and means engaged with both of said die blocks to apply swaging force thereon simultaneously, said last means having a substantially rigid body engaged with one die block and a force applying means in said body engaged with the other one of the die blocks and movable in said body.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said body is formed with a working space defined between a pair of opposed walls having retaining elements and a third wall joining said pair of walls and formed with a cylinder to receive said piston, said one of said die blocks being normally engaged by said retaining elements and said other one of said die blocks being initially engaged on said third wall and movable therefrom into closed position by said piston.

3. In a tool for circumferentially swaging a sleeve member onto a tube, the improvement which comprises a tool body having a working space therein defined by bottom and opposed spaced side walls, said working space being generally open at opposite sides between said side walls to receive the sleeve member and tube to be swaged, a first die block mounted in said working space adjacent said bottom wall, a second die block receivable in said working space adjacent said first die block and in position to engage upon the sleeve and tube to be swaged, means on said side walls and second die block engaged with each other to retain said die block in the working space, force applying means adjacent said bottom wall engaged with said first die block, and means on said tool body adjacent both of said open sides and located generally in alignment with said die blocks, said last means allowing axial elongation of the sleeve member and resisting the axial thrust of the sleeve and tube with circumferential swaging of the sleeve member.

4. The tool improvement of claim 3 wherein said second die block retaining means includes spaced elements on said opposed side walls and matching spaced elements on said second die block, said spaced elements being movable into engaging registration upon relative axial displacement of said tool body and second die element, the axial movement amounting to substantially the axial dimension of one space between said spaced elements.

5. A swaging tool for radially swaging a sleeve over an internally telescoped part, said tool consisting of a body formed with a piston chamber adjacent one end and said body having an opposite end extending axially outwardly from said piston chamber, a first die block at said opposite end, a second die block received in said opposite end of the body between said first die block and said piston chamber, a piston recipracably operative in said piston chamber, a piston rod movable axially in said body and engaged between said piston and second die block, a source of pressure fluid connected to said piston chamber to supply fluid to displace said piston rod and second die block toward said first die block, swaging die means carried by said die blocks in position to engage the sleeve around its circumference and swage it about the internally telescoped part, said die means responding to the application of pressure fluid on said piston by conforming to the confiGuration of the sleeve and swaging it onto the internally telescoped part, and means in said piston chamber retracting said piston to permit separation of said second die block from said first die block upon completion of the swaging.

6. The swaging tool set forth in claim 5 wherein said swaging die means have configured faces to radially indent the sleeves into the internally telescoped part, and said die means are removably mounted in said die blocks.

7. The swaging tool set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second die blocks are relatively slidable into and out of said opposite end of said body, and said body is provided with means adapted to engage said first die block upon sliding the same into said opposite end.

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