Patent ID: 7222512

Claim:
Apparatus for bending a tube ( 1 ) in such a manner that two consecutive segments ( 2 , 3 ) of the tube make a non-zero angle a of given value between each other, the apparatus, comprising, relative to a reference base ( 55 ): means ( 30 ) for making in the wall ( 4 ) of the tube ( 1 ) a wave ( 20 ) projecting outwards from the wall of the tube all around the wall of the tube, said projecting wave being defined between two flanks ( 22 , 23 ) forming a nonzero angle b between each other and centered substantially on the plane ( 21 ) of separation between the two segments; and means ( 50 ) for imparting permanent plastic deformation to said wave ( 20 ) until the given value is obtained for the angle a between the two segments ( 2 , 3 ), wherein the means ( 30 ) for making in the wall ( 4 ) of the tube ( 1 ) a projecting wave ( 20 ) defined between two flanks ( 22 , 23 ) forming a nonzero angle b between each other and centered substantially on the plane ( 21 ) of separation between the two segments are constituted by: a chamber ( 31 ) defined inside the tube and centered substantially on said plane ( 21 ) of separation; and at least two jaws ( 33 , 34 ) forming between them a dihedral angle substantially of said non-zero value b, said jaws being mounted to co-operate with the outside face of the wall ( 4 ) of the tube ( 1 ) to guide formation of the wave.