초록 ▼

A seal device for a hydroforming press includes a housing having a bore and a seal carrier slidable within the housing bore. The seal carrier has a bore which fits closely outside of the end of tube to be hydroformed. A V-shaped locator rigidly mounted relative to the housing aligns the end of the t

A seal device for a hydroforming press includes a housing having a bore and a seal carrier slidable within the housing bore. The seal carrier has a bore which fits closely outside of the end of tube to be hydroformed. A V-shaped locator rigidly mounted relative to the housing aligns the end of the tube placed thereon with the carrier bore. A carrier actuator is operable to move the seal carrier between a retracted position away from the end of the tube to an extended position over the end of the tube. A resilient elastomeric annular seal carried by the seal carrier encircles the outer surface of the tube. A seal actuator carried on the seal carrier compresses the seal upon relative movement between the seal actuator and the seal carrier. A stop is engaged by the seal actuator as the seal carrier approaches the extended position so that subsequent further movement of the seal carrier compresses the seal against the tube. The locator and a tube backup fixed to an upper bed of the press encircle the tube when the press is closed, reacting against the tube when it is pressurized. A travel limit block provides a reaction member against which the locator reacts to prevent relative movement between the seal device and the press during forming.

대표청구항 ▼

In an apparatus for hydroforming a tube between a pair of dies, a seal device for sealing engagement on an outer surface of an end of the tube and for communicating pressure fluid into the tube comprising: a seal carrier having means thereon defining an opening adapted for installation over the end

In an apparatus for hydroforming a tube between a pair of dies, a seal device for sealing engagement on an outer surface of an end of the tube and for communicating pressure fluid into the tube comprising: a seal carrier having means thereon defining an opening adapted for installation over the end of the tube; a locator means disposed between the pair of dies and the seal carrier operative to align the end of the tube with the opening in the seal carrier; a carrier actuator separated from the dies by the seal carrier operable to move the seal carrier between a retracted position and an extended position nearer to the dies than the retracted position in which the opening in the seal carrier is disposed over the end of the tube between the dies; a seal actuator mounted on the seal carrier for movement relative thereto; a resilient elastomeric annular seal carried by the seal carrier within the seal actuator and adapted to encircle the outer surface of the tube, the seal being compressed upon relative movement between the seal actuator and the seal carrier so that the seal is compressed inwardly to sealingly engage the outer surface of the tube; and a stop element engaged by the seal actuator as the seal carrier approaches the extended position so that the seal actuator is stopped against further movement and further movement of the seal carrier to the extended position then compresses the annular seal about the outer surface of the tube.