Portable tube flaring system for flexible tubing

摘要

An embodiment of a portable tube flaring system for flaring a flexible plastic tube end includes a hand-held wand with a heating element for heating a tube heater receptacle, which provides direct contact heating of the tube end about the entire outer periphery of the tube end. A mandrel device is configured for manual insertion into the heated tube end by the user after the tube end is removed from the wand and heater receptacle. A power/control unit is connected to the wand by a wiring bundle to provide electrical power to the heating element, and to optionally provide a visual and/or audio signal to the user for indicating when the tube end should be removed from the wand receptacle, and thereafter, when the mandrel may be removed from the tube end after sufficient cooling or curing time. The system may be carried by a person.

主权项

1. A portable tube flaring system for flaring a flexible plastic tube end, comprising:
a hand-held wand with a heating element for heating a tube heater receptacle, configured to provide direct contact heating of the tube end about the entire outer periphery of the tube end, the tube heater receptacle defining a hollow cylindrical receptacle chamber of a diameter to match an outer diameter of the tube to be flared, and a depth defining a length of the tube end to be heated; a mandrel device configured for manual insertion into the heated tube end by the user after the tube end is removed from the wand and heater receptacle; and a power/control unit connected to the wand by a wiring bundle to provide electrical power to the heating element, and to provide a visual and/or audio signal to the user for indicating when the tube end should be removed from the wand receptacle, and thereafter, when the mandrel may be removed from the tube end after sufficient cooling or curing time; and wherein the system does not employ a tube clamping mechanism for clamping the tube for insertion of the mandrel device.