Patent ID: 7073366
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A method to reduce the width of a slot or opening in a pipe, the pipe having an outer surface and an inner surface with one or more slots or openings extending between its outer and inner surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: (i) reducing the width of one or more of said slots through treating the exterior surface of the pipe with one or more compression tools; (ii) determining the position of said one or more slots relative to the surface of the pipe; (iii) following said treatment of the exterior surface of said pipe with said one or more compression tools determining the width of said one or more slots in said pipe; (iv) generating a signal corresponding to the determined width and relative position of said one or more slots and directing said signal to a controller; (v) with said controller comparing the determined width of said one or more slots with a pre-determined value and identifying slots having widths greater than said pre-determined value; and, (vi) causing the exterior surface of said pipe adjacent to said one or more slots having determined widths greater than said pre-determined value to be re-treated through causing at least one of said one or more compression tools to be moved to selectively contact the exterior surface of said pipe adjacent to said identified slots so as to selectively further reduce the width of said slots.