Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Heat exchanger
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-01-23
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Heat exchanger
C029S726000, C029S723000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176006
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improvement for mounting an in situ storing of expander rods of a mechanical tube expander, which expander is used for fixing fins on the tubes of tube and fin-type heat exchangers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mechanical tube expander machines which have plural expander rods therein, which expander rods are capable of being removed from the machine when they are not to be used in the performance of an assembling task are known in the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,966 being one representative example thereof. In addition, in situ storing of expander rods in a mechanical tube expander machine are also known, Italian Patent No. 1 259 173 being one representative example thereof. In addition, servicing the expander rod lock is time consuming and labor intensive because the structure holding the expander rods in place requires a major disassembly of components.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanical tube expander machine wherein the unused expander rods are capable of being stored in situ while the in use expander rods are employed in the task of fixing fins on the tubes of tube and fin-type heat exchangers.
It is a further object of this invention to provide in a mechanical tube expander machine, as aforesaid, a mechanism for the separate securing of the expander rods to the pressure plate and to the stored expander rod locking plate in a manner which will facilitate a close spacing between the expander rods as well as a quick servicing of each expander rod lock by allowing an easy removal of each expander rod locking mechanism out through the top of the mechanical tube expander machine.
It is a further object of the invention to provide in a mechanical tube expander machine, as aforesaid, a mechanism for locking each of the expander rods to the stored expander rod locking plate, which mechanism is arranged on an axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of each of the expander rods.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanical tube expander machine, wherein a selection of the expander rods not to be employed in the task of fixing fins on the tubes of tube and fin-type heat exchangers is accomplished manually from the end of each expander rod remote from the pressure plate and/or stored expander rod locking plate.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanical tube expander machine, as aforesaid, wherein the unused expander tools and tips are also stored in situ.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a mechanical tube expander for expanding tubes into interlocked relationship with fins, the mechanical tube expander including a frame, structure for holding an assembly of fins loosely stacked on tubes on the frame and a device for reciprocating a pressure plate and expander rods secured thereto into and out of the aforesaid tubes to expand the tubes into an interlocked relationship with the fins that are stacked thereon. The mechanical tube expander additionally includes a stored expander rod locking plate which is reciprocal between first and second positions with respect to the pressure plate when the pressure plate is retracted from the assembly. A device is provided for releasably locking selected ones of the expander rods to the pressure plate. A further device is provided for releasably locking the remaining ones of the expander rods separate from the selected ones to the stored expander rod locking plate and only when the stored expander rod locking plate is in the first position located adjacent the pressure plate. The remaining ones of the expander rods are moved with the stored expander rod locking plate in response to a movement thereof from the first position to the second position thereof to thereby cause the remaining expander rods to remain free of a locked connection to the pressure plate so that only the selected ones of the expander rods are reciprocated with respect to the assembly. The further device includes a plurality of openings in the stored expander rod locking plate corresponding in number, spacing and arrangement to the number, spacing and arrangement of the expander rods, each of the openings coaxially receiving therein a fluid operating detent activating mechanism adapted to coaxially house an end of the expander rod adjacent a detent receiving mechanism. Each fluid operated detent activating mechanism has reciprocal first and second operative positions and is selectively operable independent of each other. The detent activating mechanism, when in the first operative position thereof, includes a device for forcibly locating a detent of the detent activating mechanism in the detent receiving mechanism to prevent removal of the expander rod from the detent activating mechanism while simultaneously maintaining the coaxial relationship between the opening and the expander rod. The second operative position of the further device facilitates a withdrawal of the detent out of the detent receiving mechanism thereby facilitating removal of the expander rod from the detent activating mechanism.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4734972 (1988-04-01), Hawkins
patent: 4771536 (1988-09-01), Vanderlaan et al.
patent: 4835828 (1989-06-01), York et al.
patent: 4980966 (1991-01-01), Milliman et al.
patent: 5220722 (1993-06-01), Milliman
patent: 5353496 (1994-10-01), Harman et al.
patent: 5432994 (1995-07-01), Tokura
patent: 1 259 173 (1992-10-01), None
Milliman James G.
Small Derrick S.
Smith Rocky L.
Burr Oak Tool and Gauge Company, Inc.
Flynn ,Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.
Green Anthony L.
Hughes S. Thomas
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