US2238037A - Method and means of producing wholly integral cold wrought t's and like fittings - Google Patents

Description

m\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\w m3 YIIIIIIIIIIII E. s. CORNELL, JR v METHOD AND HEARS OF PRODUCING WHOLLY INTEGRAL COLD WROUGHT TEES AND LIKE FITTINGS Filed Feb. 14, 1936 April 15, 1941.

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m H I I u A III/IIIIIIIIII/II/IllhVIIIIIII/II/I/I/I/II/I A Ill/III/I/l/IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIII Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND MEANS OF PRODUCING 'WBOLLY INTEGRAL COLD WROUGHT T'SANDLIKEFITTINGS My present invention relates to the production of fittings, such as T's, Y's, X's or other types of lateral-provided fittings by cold working to final status.

Preferably, copper is employed as the material which is subjected to cold working. By copper I include commercially pure copper, alloys predominately of copper content, and other metals or the like which under condition of heat supplied additiveiy to the heat ensuing under treatment, give rise to the formation of cuprous oxide or other deleterant, usually of oxidized character, defeating the successful production of fittings or the like, but when cold worked pursuant to my invention-and in the absence of supplied heat the above stated fittings are successfully produced.

Generically, my invention comprises the cold working of an initial mass of the material, predetermined in its cubical content in correspondence to the cubical content of the resultant fitting, the treatment comprising a suitable die or equivalent suitably apertured to receive such initial mass and to effect contoural, dimensional and other characteristics desired 01? the resultant product, correlated with a hollow mandrel provided with a lateral determinative orifice and suitable male die members, such as hollow punches, or equivalent, whereby upon combined endwise bodily pressure and fluid pressure internally of the mass, one or more laterals and the body per se and the end openings of the body, having the desired characteristics, are produced.

Products of my invention are characterized by the body proper, end portions of the body, one or more laterals, individually integral and integral with one another without joint.

Products of my invention are further characterized by the cold working effects upon the copper mass ensuing in and by the successive steps of my method, including, inter alia, dense grain structure, high tensile strength, high degree of hardness, immunity against chemical or other corrosive eifects in the presence of water in domestic supply lines, hot water, steam and other heating medium lines, oil and other transmission lines, and like and other forms and types of fluid conveyance.

By my method the product consists of copper work-hardened throughout to form an article of uniform strength and other superior characteris tics to aiford comparative lightness and to enable a lesser total material to be employed.

Further features and objects of my invention will be more fully understood from the following 55 detail description and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of a T product of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a length of initial mass, in the form of a tube, associated with a hollow mandrel provided with a lateral determinative orifice.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view through a die block provided with effective cavities corresponding to the product, in this instance a T, and the positioning therein of the initial tube and hollow mandrel shown in Fig. 2, and cooperating hollow fluid-operative punches. Fig. 3 shows the assembly of the stated parts at an initial stage in carrying out my method.

Fig. 4 is a central sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 3, but illustrating a succeeding stage of operation of my method.

20 Fig. 5 is a central sectional view showing a stage of treatment of a T-formed product resulting from the treatment indicated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a central sectional view, corresponding to the view shown in Fig, 4, illustrating another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 7 is a central sectional View, corresponding to the view of Fig. 5, illustrating the severing of a terminal formation of the lateral.

As above indicated, and as appears from the characteristics of the invention, the steps and sequence of steps shown in the respective fig-- ures of the drawing, depicting my method in its application to the production of a T, are illustrative of the production of all types or fittings provided with one or more laterals and of variant relation of axis, diameter, wall thickness and contour, etc., of any lateral to the axes, diameters, wall thicknesses and contours, etc., oi. the body per se and of the respective end openings in the run, i. e., communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body at its opposite ends.

Thus for the formation of a T, such as the T Ill shown in Fig. 1, the detail parts of which are more fully described hereinafter, an initial mass ll, preferably imperrorate from end to end, see

Figs. 2 and 3, having a cubical content corresponding to the cubical content of the resultant T It, is placed about a mandrel l2 suitably correlated therewith. Essentials of such tubular initial mass II and the correlation thereof with the mandrel l2 are, inter alia, an inner diameter of the tubular mass ll relative to the outer diameter of the hollow mandrel i2, to have a fluidseal fit therewith, an outer diameter of the tubular mass with respect to the diameter of the eflective longitudinal cavity of the die to place the wall of the tubular mass in contact with the wall of the die, and a length of tubular mass to provide for the ultimate cubical content of the walls of the fitting with minimum wastage.

Correlated with the aforesaid, I provide a suitable die I3, embodying, inter alia, an entrance bore Iia corresponding in diameter or other cross section to the diameter or other. cross section of the right hand end portion of the initial mass, i. e., the tubular mass II, and further embodying an entrance bore I3b corresponding in diameter or other cross section to the diameter or other cross section of the left hand end portion of the tubular mass II; further, a lateral defining cavity I30, in this instance, shown as an open ended cavity, corresponding in configuration to the configuration desired of the lateral of the resulting product, in this instance, a single lateral Illa of such T as shown in Fig. 1.

The angular relationship of such lateral defining cavity I3c corresponds to the angular relationship of the axis of the desired lateral to the axis of the body I01) and of the respective end openings Illc, Illd, of the T as shown in Fig. 1.

Such female die I3 is advantageously of the .split type, usually of two parts, the respective parts of the die being suitably secured to one another, indicated by the holding pins or equivalent I4, I4.

The hollow mandrel I2 has a wall suitable for withstanding the stresses and strains, as described more fully hereinafter, and is provided with a. lateral determinative orifice I la, in this instance centrally located in the wall portion of the hollow mandrel I2 adapted, as is indicated in Fig. 3 and further appearing in Fig. 4, to be positioned centrally of and in axial alignment with the axis of the lateral defining cavity I3c, of the female die I3.

Coacting with such mandrel I2, I further providesuitable means for effecting the desired fluid pressure conjointly with the required bodily pressure applied in opposing directions at the opposing ends of the tubular mass II to efiectuate to the desired extent axially and peripherally, the thereby resulting bulging of the central portion of the tubular mass I I disposed in adjacency to the lateral defining cavity I3c of the female die I3.

Such provision of conjoint bodily pressure and fluid pressure means is advantageously in the form of a hollow punch I 5, shown at the left of the assembled parts appearing in Fig. 3, the outer diameter or other cross section of the body I5a of such punch I5 making a fluid-tight sealing fit with the diameter or other cross section of the entrance bore III!) of the die I3. The punch I5 is further provided with a head I5b, in this instance shown closed, adapted for cooperation with a laterally operated ram or equivalent of a press.

Cooperating with such punch I5 I provide a punch I6 shown at the right in Fig. 3, which is hollow its body Iia and of an outer diameter or other cross section making a fluid-tight seal with the diameter or cross section of the entrance bore I3a of the die I3. The punch I6 is also provided with a head lib, in this instance shown open, adapted for cooperation with a laterally operated ram or equivalent of a press. Its head lib in this instance is provided with a perforation IGc, the purpose of which appears more fully hereinafter. The interior of the punches l5, I6, and of the mandrel I2, inclusive of its lateral effecting perforation l2a, is filled with oil II or other suitable fluid, prefer'ably of lubrieating nature.

The supply of fluid and the maintenance of the fluid pressure may be carried out as preferred. Conveniently, the fluid, see Il, Fig. 3, is supplied by injection of such fluid, in predetermined effective quantity, within the hollow interiors of the mandrel I2 and of the left-hand punch l5 and of the right-hand punch IS, the opening I6c of the perforated punch I6 being closed against egress of the fluids I! by suitable stopper means.

Such stopper means is advantageously, see Fig. 4, a part or incorporated with the ram I 8, such as a protruding lug I8a, making a fluid-seal joint with the walls of the opening I of the righthand punch I6.

Accordingly, upon operation of the press, effecting mutual approachsee arrows I9, 20, Fig. 4 of the respective punches I5, I6, and attendant bodily pressure applied endwise at the opposing ends of the tubular blank I I together with the conjoint building-up and maintenance of pressure, within a predetermined range, exerted through the lateral determinative orifice I2a of the hollow mandrel upon the wall of the tubular blank II, the lateral formation IIa is initiated and progressively formed, i. e., completed, defined by the walls of the lateral defining ca ity I3c of the female die I3. Preferably, as appears, the hollow mandrel I2 has a length substantially that of or exceeding the original length of the tubular blank, also, its outer annular wall has a substantially uniform diameter and extends imperforately from end to end, excepting at its lateral determinative orifice IZa, shown located centrally of its annular wall, in the illustrated instance of the production of a single lateral-provided fitting, i. e., the resulting 1' body I0. Predicated upon the results obtained in the production, under commercial conditions, of TS and other lateral-provided fittings, pursuant to my invention as aforesaid the movement of the lateral formation Ila, effected by cold operation, ensues by the gradual and uniform flow of the metal toward the central portion, i. e. the portion adjacent the lateral defining die cavity, to successively constitute such central portion of the tubular blank toward and into the lateral defining cavity I 30 of the die l3, the aforesaid being facilitated by a fluid of lubricating nature.

Upon completion to the desired extent of the lateral formation Ila within the lateral cavity I3c of the female die I3, the work, designated I0, is removed from the die, and finished as desired.

Assuming the lateral formation II a of the nature as shown in Fig. 4, a finishing step may be the severing of the "dome of the lateral formation IIa, as by means of a rotary knife, indicated diagrammatically at 2|, see Fig. 5.

Additional finishing, subsequent to the severing or equivalent of the lateral, as aforesaid, may be carried out as preferred. To attain the particular diameter, contour and characteristics of the lateral Illa, the body per se Illb, body end openings Illc, II ld, as depicted in Fig, 1, the l tvex and peripherally concave contour, whereby upon operation of the punches II, I, in correlatlon with the mandrel i2 and conjoint pressure operation of the fiuid II, the walls' of the lateral formation Ho are moreclosely defined by the walls of the die lateral openings Ila and the "dome, see He, Fig. 6, is contoured for minimum wastage of metal.

By such or equivalent procedure, such concavo-convex "dome" lie is removed, as by severing, as indicated in Fig. 5. The remainder of the fitting is. completed as to its lateral "'41, body per se il'b, and body end openings "'0, il'd, as desired.

From the above, it appears that my method provides for the application of pressure bodily upon the original, preferably tubular, mass in direction from the respective ends of such mass toward the one or more lateral defining cavities of the female die, conjointly with fluid pressure effective upon the mass in direction toward and into such one or more lateral defining cavities. In suchconjoint pressure-effective movement of the mass toward and into the one or more lateral defining cavities of the female die, and resulting laterals, the hollow mandrel, by reason of its continuation from end to end, i. e., absence of perforations, excepting for its one or more lateral determinative orifices, and extending in coordination with the walls of the longitudinal wrinkling or other collapse-while the material of the original i. e. tubular mass flows toward and into the one or into the respective lateraldefining die cavities, and the walls of the respective one or more lateral defining cavities thereupon serve to predetermine the contour and other dimensional characteristics ofthe one or more laterals thus formed from such original mass.

The contour and dimensional characteristic of each lateral are as desired, and controlled by the forces respectively applied bodily and by fluid pressure upon the tubular or other original mass. In the commercial production of a T or like lateral-provided fitting, the cubical content of the wall of each lateral is preferably in excess of the cubical content of the zone of the original mass defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to the wall thickness of the body of the resulting T. The wall thickness, length and contour of the wall of each lateral may be varied as desired. The cubical content of each lateral in excess of the cubical content of its zone, above defined, is predetermined by the bodily pressure applied to the tubular or other original mass conjointly with and in correlation with the pressure created uniformly in and uniformly exercised through the pressure fluid.

As above indicated, by the successive stages of cold fiow of the material of the original mass in direction longitudinally of the longitudinal cavities of the female die toward the central or other portion adjacent the location of the desired lateral or laterals and within the respective one or more lateral defining cavities, transmutes the physical characteristics of the material into the superior qualities of dense grain structure, high tensile strength, high fracture resistance, elimination of pores, immunity against corrosion or other chemical action in the presence of natural waters. and other fluids conveyed in commonly used systems, such as steam and hot water heating systems, domestic and industrial water and other fluid supplies, etc.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of female die means provided with a longitudinal cavity and with 9. lat-- eral defining cavity, hollow mandrel means provided with a lateral determinative orifice located in correspondence to said lateral defining cavity, said hollow mandrel means and the longitudinal cavity of said female die means being arranged relative to one another to fiuid-sealingly receive therebetween a length of tubular mass, and mutually spaced hollow means fluid-sealingly correlated to said hollow mandrel means and the walls of the longitudinal cavity of said female die means, and fiuid means within the interior of said hollow mandrel means, whereby upon application of force through said mutually spaced hollow means pressure endwise in opposing direction is exerted upon said tubular mass effecting the flow of the material of said length of tubular mass toward said lateral defining cavity of the female diemeans, whereby a lateral is formed and defined in wall contour by said lateral defining die cavity integral with the body of the fitting.

2. The combination of female die means provided with a longitudinal cavity and with 9. lateral defining cavity, hollow mandrel means provided with a lateral determinative orifice located in correspondence to said lateral defining cavity, said hollow mandrel means and the longitudinal cavity of said female die means being arranged relative to one another to fiuid-sealingly receive therebetween a length of tubular mass, mutually spaced hollow means fiuid-sealingly correlated to said hollow mandrel means and to the walls of the longitudinal cavity of said female die means, fiuid means within the interior of said hollow mandrel means and means for applying force upon said hollow means to transmit bodily pressure endwise in opposing direction upon said tubular mass toward said lateral defining cavity and conjointly transmit fiuid pressure through its said lateral determinative orifice of said hollow mandrel means upon the wall of said tubular mass in direction toward and into said lateral defining cavity, said hollow means comprising punches respectively disposed in opposing relation to said tubular mass in the longitudinal cavity of said female die means, said punches being provided with an opening for the passage of the fluid. a

3. The method of producing a cold worked wholly integral lateral-provided fitting of material of the nature of copper, which comprises providing a length of tubular blank of such material, providing a hollow mandrel having a lateral determinative orifice, and otherwise imperforate from end to end, and having a substantially uniform periphery, and a length at least the length of said tubular blank, and an external diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the blank, assembling said hollow mandrel within said length of tubular blank, positioning the thus assembled hollow mandrel and length I of tubular blank within a suitable die provided with a lateral defining cavity, locating said lateral determinative orifice of the hollow mandrel in alignment with the lateral defining cavity of the die. providing suitable fluid medium within the interior of said hollow mandrel, and subjecting said length of tubular blank to pressure endwise of the blank and conjoint fluid pressure internally oi the tubular blank.-whereby a lateral is formed and defined in wall contour by said lateral defining die cavity integral with the body oi the fitting. f"

4. The mcthod -j i'or producing a cold worked wholly integral lateral-provided fitting of material of the natureof copper, which comprises providing ailength of circular tubular blank of such material, providing a hollow mandrel having a lateral determinative orifice, and otherwise imperforate from end to end and having a substantially uniform diameter, and a length at least the length of said tubular blank, and an external diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the blank, assembling said hollow mandrel within said length of tubular blank. positioning the thus assembled hollow mandrel and length of circular tubular blank within a suitable die provided with a lateral defining cavity and locating said lateral determinative orifice of the hollow mandrel in alignmcntwith the lateral defining cavity of the die, providing suitable fluid medium within the interior of said hollow mandrel, and subjecting said length of circular tubular blank to pressure endwise of the blank and conjoint fluid pressure internally of the tubular blank by instrumentalities physically engaging the opposing ends of the blank, whereby 9. lateral is formed and defined in wall contour by said lateral defining die cavity integral with the body of the fitting.

' 5. The combination of female die means provided with a longitudinal cavity and with a lateral defining cavity, hollow mandrelmeans provided with a lateral determinative orifice located in correspondence to said lateral defining cavity, said hollow mandrel means and the longitudinal cavity of said female die means being arranged relative to one another to receive therebetween fiuid-sealingly a length of tubular mass, mutually spaced hollow means fiuid-sealingly correlated to said hollow mandrel means and to the walls of the longitudinal cavity of said' female die means, fluid means within the interior of said hollow .mandrel. and means for applying force upon said hollow means to transmit bodily pressure endwise in opposing direction upon said tubular mass toward said lateral defining cavity and conjointly 'transmit fluid pressure through the said orificeupon the wall of said tubular mass in direction toward and into said lateral defining cavity.

6. The combination of female die means provided with a longitudinalcavity and with a lateral defining cavity, hollow mandrel means provided with a" lateral determining orifice located in correspondence to said lateral defining cavity,

. said hollow mandrel-means and the longitudinal cavity of said female die means being arranged relative to one another to receive therebetween fiuid-sealingly a length of tubular mass, mutually spaced hollow means fiuid-sealingly corre-. lated to said hollow mandrel means and to the walls of the longitudinal cavity of said female die means and to such length of tubular mass, fluid means within the interior of said hollow mandrel. and means for applying force upon said hollow means to transmit bodily pressure endwise in opposing direction upon such tubular mass toward said lateral defining cavity and conlointly transmit fluid pressure through the said orifice upon the wall of such tubular mass in direction toward and into said lateral defining cavity.

7. The method of producing a cold worked wholly integral lateral-provided fitting of material of the nature of copper, which comprises providing a length of tubular blank of such material. providing a hollow mandrel having a substantially uniform diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the blank and a length at least the length of said tubular blank, said hollow mandrel having a lateral determinative orifice and being otherwise imperforate over a length at least equal to the length of said tubular blank, assembling said hollow mandrel in fluidseal relation to and within said length of tubular blank, positioning the thus assembled hollow mandrel and length oi tubular blank within a suitable die provided with a lateral defining cavity and locating said lateral determinative orifice of the hollow mandrel in alignment with the lateral defining cavity of the die, providing suitable fluid medium within the interior of said hollow mandrel and subjecting said length of tubular blank to endwise pressure in opposing directions and simultaneously to pressure internally of the tubular blank by instrumentalities physically engaging the opposing ends of the blank and fluidsealingly related to the thus assembled hollow mandrel and length of tubular blank, whereby a lateral is formed and defined in wall contour by said lateral defining die cavity integral with the body of the fitting.

8. The method of producing a cold worked wholly integral lateral-provided fitting of material of the nature of copper, which comprises pro- "viding a length of tubular blank of such matehollow mandrel and length of tubular blank within a suitable die provided with a lateral defining cavity and locating said lateral determinative orifice of the hollow mandrel in alignment with the lateral defining cavity-of the die, providing suitable fiuid medium within the interior of said hollow mandrel, subjecting said length of tubular blank to pressure endwise of the blank and conjoint fiuid pressure internally of the tubular blank, whereby a lateral is formed and defined in wall contour by said lateral defining die cavity integral with the body of the fitting, and severing the thus formed dome to provide an opening for the lateral.

EDWARD S. CORNELL, JR.

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