Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A high pressure mandrel for joining a metal tube to a wall of a metal sheet surrounding an annular bore of the metal sheet. The metal tube enters the bore of the metal sheet. The metal tube is joined to the metal sheet by high pressure fluid in an annular expansion gap by expanding radially the metal tube for forming a joint with the wall of the metal sheet surrounding the bore of the metal sheet. Toward this end, spaced O-rings are disposed on a shaft of a mandrel that is disposed axially in the metal tube. Outboard of the O-rings, backup rights are respectively disposed on the shaft. Outboard of the backup rings are disposed segmented ring assemblies which are also disposed on the shaft. Facing opposite ends of each segmented ring assemblies are cam rings. The cam rings are disposed on the shaft. High pressure fluid by means of a conduit provides a high pressure fluid to the inner wall of the metal tube to expand radially the metal tube to form a joint with the wall of the sheet of metal surrounding the bore formed in the metal sheet. Simultaneously therewith, the high pressure fluid urges the O-rings outwardly toward the associated backup rings, respectively. In turn, the backup rings are urged outwardly toward the associated segmented ring assemblies, respectively. Facing each of the segmented ring assemblies are cam rings. Each set of cam rings are disposed on the shaft. Each set of cam rings expand radially its associated segmented ring assembly in response to the high pressure fluid.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim