Patent ID: 8955362
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: B21C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for manufacturing a tubular structure, said tubular structure comprising a permanent core and a helically wound strip wound over said permanent core, said apparatus comprising: a feed mechanism for feeding said core into said apparatus; a faceplate, mounted for rotation in a first direction about a longitudinal axis; a drive mechanism, for driving the faceplate in said first direction about said longitudinal axis; an assembly of shaping rollers, mounted for rotation with said faceplate and for forming a cross-sectional profile on said strip prior to it being formed to a pre-determined diameter; and at least one diameter defining roller mounted on said faceplate and configured to plastically deform said strip around one of said at least one diameter defining roller to have a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of said core prior to being formed into a tubular structure.