The present invention relates to mechanical joining of Nickel Titanium tubes, also known as Nitinol, to other tubular components. Such mechanical joining may be achieved by interpenetration of lobe features between the respective tubes by translating the tubes together on a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, by a combination of translation and rotational motion or by a hinging motion, or by use of the shape-memory effect. The Nitinol superelasticity is used to accommodate the lobe deformation required for assembly and to snap the lobe back into its original shape to complete the mechanical joint.

An apparatus and method for crimping coupling rings are provided. The apparatus generally has a lower clamp head and an upper clamp head that may be drawn together by a fastener. The lower and upper clamp heads are designed to receive a first portion and a second portion of a coupling ring, respectively. A first and second post holds the clamp heads adjacent to each other. The upper clamp head is secured to the first post such that the upper clamp head may rotate in a generally circular motion to switch the apparatus from a closed to an open configuration, or vice versa. When the apparatus is placed in a closed configuration, the fastener may be engaged to draw the clamp heads together to increase the compressive force imposed on a coupling ring until the coupling ring becomes crimped.

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

A method of making mechanically-lined pipe with primary expansion by plastically expanding a liner sleeve within an outer pipe, under lining pressure applied internally to the liner sleeve. On relieving the lining pressure, elastic radial contraction of the outer pipe makes a mechanical bond between the outer pipe and the liner sleeve. Then, secondary expansion of the outer pipe is performed under fixing pressure, which may be greater than the lining pressure, applied internally to the liner sleeve at an end portion of the pipe. This makes or strengthens a mechanical bond at the end portion. The resulting pipe joint has an end portion and a body portion inboard of the end portion. The body portion has a first, lesser bonding pressure between the outer pipe and the liner sleeve. The end portion has a second, greater bonding pressure between the outer pipe and liner sleeve.

A method of making mechanically-lined pipe with primary expansion by plastically expanding a liner sleeve within an outer pipe, under lining pressure applied internally to the liner sleeve. On relieving the lining pressure, elastic radial contraction of the outer pipe makes a mechanical bond between the outer pipe and the liner sleeve. Then, secondary expansion of the outer pipe is performed under fixing pressure, which may be greater than the lining pressure, applied internally to the liner sleeve at an end portion of the pipe. This makes or strengthens a mechanical bond at the end portion. The resulting pipe joint has an end portion and a body portion inboard of the end portion. The body portion has a first, lesser bonding pressure between the outer pipe and the liner sleeve. The end portion has a second, greater bonding pressure between the outer pipe and liner sleeve.

A spherical decoupler conduit for connecting misaligned components, and a method for making the same, where the spherical decoupler includes an inlet connection with a first spherical portion; an outer slider with a second spherical portion for pivotably mating with the first spherical portion and a tubular portion; an inner slider having a tubular portion in a telescoping relationship with the tubular portion of the outer slider and a third spherical portion; and an outlet connection with a fourth spherical portion for pivotably mating with the third spherical portion.

A spherical decoupler conduit for connecting misaligned components, and a method for making the same, where the spherical decoupler includes an inlet connection with a first spherical portion; an outer slider with a second spherical portion for pivotably mating with the first spherical portion and a tubular portion; an inner slider having a tubular portion in a telescoping relationship with the tubular portion of the outer slider and a third spherical portion; and an outlet connection with a fourth spherical portion for pivotably mating with the third spherical portion.

A pressing tool for joining a pipe and a fitting, including two swivel elements for pressing the pipe and the fitting, a receiving region, formed between the swivel elements, for receiving the pipe and the fitting, at least one swivel axis for rotatably mounting the swivel elements, and a tensioning mechanism for pretensioning the pressing tool. The swivel elements can be swivelled towards one another about the at least one swivel axis to press the pipe and the fitting. In a first, closed position, the receiving region is narrower than in a second, open position, of the swivel elements, wherein the swivel elements are pretensioned towards the closed position by the tensioning mechanism. At least one holding device is provided for holding the swivel elements in the open position against the pretensioning force generated by the tensioning mechanism.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an axial swage tool configured to axially swage a fitting to a tube, a cable, or other such item of manufacture. The swage tool can be configured to utilize swaging engagement members for grasping and driving a swaging ring over a fitting. The swaging ring thereby radially compresses the fitting around the tube or other item.