Axial swage tool

Abstract

A swaging tool having a housing, a piston, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw, wherein the housing is capable of receiving and holding a tube and a swage fitting in the fixed jaw; the moveable jaw is in communication with a moveable die and is capable of moving axially along the housing with respect to an axis for the tube and the swage fitting to connect the swage fitting to the tube and create a seal between the swage fitting and the tube, and two opposing arms attached to the moveable jaw that have an open and a closed position to hold the tube and swage in alignment.

Claims

1. A swaging tool for communicatively attaching a swage fitting to a tube comprising a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a first end portion and a second end portion defining an enclosure, and an intermediate portion; a moveable die movably located on the inner surface of the housing, and axially extending through the intermediate housing portion; a fixed jaw located on the second end portion of the housing having a first slot; a moveable jaw directly engaged to the moveable die; wherein the moveable die is moved axially by a hydraulic piston or screw; wherein the moveable jaw has a second slot with a first arm, a second arm and a hinge; wherein the first arm and the second arm define a gap; wherein the hinge is coaxially aligned with the moveable die and the hydraulic piston or screw; and wherein the first and second arms have an open position and a closed position.

2. The swaging tool of claim 1 wherein the moveable jaw is located in the intermediate portion.

3. The swaging tool of claim 2, further comprising at least one of the two arms pivot.

4. The swaging tool of claim 3, further comprising a port for providing pressurized fluid located on the first end portion.

5. The swaging tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are connected to the hinge and pivot.

6. The swaging tool of claim 5, further comprising the first and second arms pivotably attached to the moveable die by a connecting member.

7. The swaging tool of claim 1, further comprising the first arm pivotably attached to the moveable die by a connecting member.

8. A swaging tool for communicatively attaching a swage fitting to a tube comprising a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a first end portion and a second end portion defining an enclosure, and an intermediate portion; a moveable die movably located on the inner surface of the housing, and axially extending through the intermediate housing portion; a fixed jaw located on the second end portion of the housing having a first slot; a moveable jaw directly engaged to the moveable die; wherein the moveable die is moved axially by a hydraulic piston or screw; wherein the moveable jaw is located in the intermediate portion; wherein the moveable jaw has a second slot with a first arm, a second arm and a hinge; wherein the first arm and the second arm define a gap; wherein the first arm is pivotably attached to the moveable die by a connecting member; wherein the hinge is coaxially aligned with the moveable die and the hydraulic piston or screw; and wherein the first and second arms have an open position and a closed position.

9. The swaging tool of claim 8, further comprising the first and second arms are semi-circular.

10. The swaging tool of claim 8, further comprising the first and second arms are clam-shell shaped.

11. The swaging tool of claim 8, further comprising both arms pivotably attached to the moveable die by the connecting member.

12. The swaging tool of claim 8 further comprising the connecting member maintaining alignment of the moveable jaw with the fixed jaw.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a raised perspective drawing of the axial swage tool of an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a raised perspective drawing of the moveable die.

(4) FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective drawing of the moveable die of an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is an end perspective drawing of the moveable jaw in the closed position of an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is an end perspective drawing of the moveable jaw of an embodiment of the present invention having one hinged arm in the open position.

(7) FIG. 6 is an end perspective drawing of the moveable die of an embodiment of the present invention having two hinged arms in the open position.

(8) FIG. 7 is side perspective drawing of the moveable die of an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective drawing of a fitting and a tube.

(10) FIG. 9 is a top cut-away perspective drawing of a fitting in the axial swage tool of the present invention of an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, a swaging tool 10 for communicatively attaching a swage fitting 56 to tubing 58 comprising a housing 12 having an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 14, and a first end portion 18 including a port 22 for providing pressurized fluid, and a second end portion 20 defining an enclosure 24, and an intermediate portion 26 therebetween that includes an aperture 28 through the outer surface of the housing. A moveable die 30 is movably located on the inner surface of the housing, and axially extending therethrough the intermediate housing portion. A fixed jaw 40 is located on the second end portion of the housing having a first slot 44. A moveable jaw 42 is directly engaged to the moveable die through the aperture, and the moveable jaw has a second slot 46 with a first arm 48 and a second arm 48 defining a gap 50. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second arms are directly engaged with the moveable die 30. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the two opposing arms have one arm fixed 48 and one arm hinged and moveable 48 between an open position 52 and a closed position 54. In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the two opposing arms have both arms 48 and 48 are hinged and moveable, and are shown in the open position. When the arms are in the open position, the gap is equal to or greater than the diameter of the fitting or tube. When the arms are in the closed position, the gap is less than the diameter of the fitting. In a preferred embodiment, when the arms are in the closed position, they are touching or overlapping.

(13) As shown in FIG. 2, a connecting member 49 is inserted into the moveable jaw, fastening the first and second arms. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting member 49 creates a hinge and a pivot point for at least one of the first and second arms. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting member maintains alignment during the movement of the moveable jaw which moves by means of the linear action of a hydraulic piston or screw 60. The connecting member and the hinge axis are coaxial with the axis of hydraulic piston or screw, as indicated by the A-A dashed line in FIGS. 1 and 3. In another preferred embodiment, the two hinged arms 48 and 48 are semi-circular or clam-shell in shape to better grip the fitting. It is preferred that the first and second arms are fastened solely by the connecting member 49 which fasten directly to the moveable die 30, thereby eliminating complicated fastening points and potential weak points that could give way under the high operating pressure of the swage tool.

(14) In another preferred embodiment, the swaging tool 10 includes a separate and replaceable hydraulic cylinder attached to the housing 12.

(15) The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.