| 摘要 |
A machine and method are disclosed for expanding tube ends in an assembly of tubes (7, 8, 9, 10) in a tube-plate of a heat-exchanger, the tube-plate being formed of two spaced apart generally parallel metal sheets (1, 2) provided with confronting bores (3, 4, 5, 6) for receiving the tube ends, annular lips (12, 13, 14, 15) being provided in the sheets in the region of the bores. The expansion machine (16) includes a radially expansible, resilient plug (32), which is introduced into the tube end once the tube has been slipped in the tube-plate bore, and expansion of the plug radially outwards deforms the tube wall and provides a tight seal between the tube wall and the annular lips, which become deformed. The machine (16) includes a double-acting ram which includes a piston (18) on the stem (30) of which is the elongate annular plug (32) which, in use of the machine, can become longitudinally compressed and radially expanded. <IMAGE> |
