초록 ▼

Apparatus for mechanically and hydroform reconfigurating an elongated tubular workpiece in an elongated cavity between upper and lower tool subassemblies each composed of a plurality of independent tool segments movable axially, relative to the cavity axis, together or spaced from each other, and in

Apparatus for mechanically and hydroform reconfigurating an elongated tubular workpiece in an elongated cavity between upper and lower tool subassemblies each composed of a plurality of independent tool segments movable axially, relative to the cavity axis, together or spaced from each other, and independently movable transversely of the cavity, usually vertically, in sequence, to grip the end portions of the workpiece while its ends are flared with tapered mandrels, and after the workpiece is filled with liquid, offset deform one workpiece portion while the tool segments are spaced apart and with axial infeed of workpiece material, then offset deform another portion with further axial infeed of workpiece material. Hydroforming pressure is then applied to partially expand the workpiece. Then after withdrawing segment spacing stops, forcing the tool segments together, and totally closing the tool, a greater hydroforming pressure is applied in the workpiece to expand it to the specific cavity configuration. After pressure is relaxed and the mandrels retracted, the tool segments are temporarily held together until the finished part is ejected and removed, and then allowed to separate under force of biasing springs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] Apparatus for reconfigurating a tubular workpiece comprising:upper and lower press platens;upper and lower tool subassemblies mounted to said upper and lower platens, respectively,

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] Apparatus for reconfigurating a tubular workpiece comprising:upper and lower press platens;upper and lower tool subassemblies mounted to said upper and lower platens, respectively, and defining therebetween a cavity which is elongated in an axial dimension, is transversely offset configurated, and is open on its axial ends, to receive an axially elongated tubular workpiece in said elongated cavity;said upper and lower tool subassemblies being movable vertically together or apart, and each formed of a plurality of tool segments movable axially into engagement with each other, or out of engagement with each other to be spaced from each other in said axial dimension, and means for forcefully vertically shifting said upper and lower tool subassemblies toward each other;said upper tool segments being independently vertically movable in a manner capable of sequentially gripping end portions of a tubular workpiece in said cavity, and then transversely offset forming other portions of the tubular workpiece, and means for sequentially vertically moving said upper tool segments independently of vertical movement of other of said upper tool segments, for sequential gripping of end portions and mechanical forming of other portions of the workpiece;a pair of mandrels adjacent said axial ends of said elongated cavity for retention of a tubular workpiece therebetween, for closure and sealing of the ends of the tubular workpiece in said elongated cavity, and for forcing the workpiece material axially inwardly;liquid supply means to said cavity for filling a workpiece in said cavity with liquid;means for forcefully axially shifting said mandrels toward each other to compress the workpiece axially while said upper and lower tool subassemblies are moved vertically together and for axially shifting said segments of each of said upper and lower tool subassemblies together; andhydroforming pressurizing means operably associated with said cavity for applying hydroforming pressure to liquid in the workpiece in a manner to controllably hydroform expand the offset reconfigured tubular workpiece to the specific shape of said cavity.