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 swage tool includes a power unit connected to a yoke. The power unit exerts vertical force on a die block. The yoke holds swage dies in place and opposes the force exerted by the die block. The die block transfers the load exerted by the power unit into the swage dies, which surround the connector. The swage dies convert vertical force from the power unit into a radial swage on the connector. Quick release endplates hold the swage dies in place in the yoke and the die block. A yoke shroud keeps broken pieces of the yoke together if the yoke fails. A counter records the number of swages made by the tool. A rotating handle, a stand, remote wireless actuation and swage die identification imprints are also provided.

A high-pressure tube compression fitting/flared fitting for use in combination with a thick-walled tube and a connection body wherein a sleeve is in engagement with a thick-walled tube. The sleeve is generally cylindrically shaped with the exterior thereof coated and then etched. The sleeve includes a first and second sharp inner circumferential biting edges which interengage and bite into and through the exterior of the end portion of the thick-walled tube and into the wall portion of the end portion of the thick-walled tube without narrowing the passageway through the thick-walled tube. The process for making the fitting includes placing an end portion of the thick-walled tube into engagement with a tube engaging surface of a tapered generally cylindrical wall of a guide rod.

A power tool includes an outer housing having a drive unit support portion and a handle portion, an inner housing positioned at least partially within the outer housing, and a drive unit positioned in the drive unit support portion, the drive unit including an output member. The power tool also includes a power screw mechanism with a nut fixed relative to the outer housing and a screw coupled for co-rotation with the output member and axially movable relative to the output member. The screw is in threaded engagement with the nut such that the screw moves axially in response to rotation of the screw relative to the nut. The power tool also includes a working assembly coupled to the inner housing for movement in response to axial movement of the screw.

A power tool includes an outer housing having a drive unit support portion and a handle portion, an inner housing positioned at least partially within the outer housing, and a drive unit positioned in the drive unit support portion, the drive unit including an output member. The power tool also includes a power screw mechanism with a nut fixed relative to the outer housing and a screw coupled for co-rotation with the output member and axially movable relative to the output member. The screw is in threaded engagement with the nut such that the screw moves axially in response to rotation of the screw relative to the nut. The power tool also includes a working assembly coupled to the inner housing for movement in response to axial movement of the screw.

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.

A method may be utilized to produce a steering spindle part configured as a hollow shaft and having a connecting portion at its end. At least a part of the connecting portion includes increased wall thickness relative to a portion of the steering spindle part adjoining the connecting portion. The method may involve providing a circular, hollow cylindrical tube with an inner surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, providing a circular, hollow cylindrical sleeve with an outer surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, inserting the sleeve into an end portion of the tube, and jointly deforming the end portion of the tube and the sleeve such that a flow of material occurs. This flow may form positively locking elements on the tube and the sleeve that engage into one another in the circumferential direction and generate positive locking in the circumferential direction.

A method may be utilized to produce a steering spindle part configured as a hollow shaft and having a connecting portion at its end. At least a part of the connecting portion includes increased wall thickness relative to a portion of the steering spindle part adjoining the connecting portion. The method may involve providing a circular, hollow cylindrical tube with an inner surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, providing a circular, hollow cylindrical sleeve with an outer surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, inserting the sleeve into an end portion of the tube, and jointly deforming the end portion of the tube and the sleeve such that a flow of material occurs. This flow may form positively locking elements on the tube and the sleeve that engage into one another in the circumferential direction and generate positive locking in the circumferential direction.

One steering column assembly includes a jacket, a bearing, and a steering spindle rotatably supported by the bearing and at least partially extending inside the jacket. The spindle includes a hollow outer tube and a hollow inner tube. The outer tube has lengthening and attachment sections, and the attachment section has transition and connection portions. The lengthening section adjoins the attachment section at an end of the transition portion, and the transition portion is between the lengthening section and the connection portion. The lengthening section has first and second portions, with the second portion being between the first and transition portions, and the outer tube terminates at an end of the connection portion. The inner tube is press-fit into the outer tube, and an end of the inner tube is adjacent the transition portion end. The inner tube does not extend into either the attachment section or the first portion.

There is disclosed a locking sleeve apparatus for securing rotating connection components. In an embodiment, the locking sleeve apparatus comprises: an elongate tube having an inner profile configured to slidingly engage an outer profile of a plurality of rotating connection components; and one or more locking mechanisms positioned internally in the elongate tube near at least one end of the elongate tube; whereby, the plurality of rotating components are mechanically coupled by the elongate tube, and prevented from rotating relative to each other. The inner profile of the elongate tube matches commonly available rotating connection components with multi-sided outer profiles, such as hexagonal nuts. The rotating connection components are configured to rotate in opposite directions relative to each other to tighten or loosen. The one or more locking mechanisms keep the locking sleeve apparatus fitted over the rotating connection components to prevent loosening.