Harold Michael Ray

US Patent:

45452318, Oct 8, 1985

Filed:

Jul 30, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/635655

Inventors:

Walter L. Connolly - Moraga CA
Harold T. Ray - Walnut Creek CA

Assignee:

Grove Valve & Regulator Company - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B21D 2802

US Classification:

72335

Abstract:

A pipe flange with a heavy welding neck which is hot formed from a circular section of steel plate having a small co-axial hole in the center. The steel around the hole is shear-formed downward and outward by a tapered die plug which is forced through the small hole, forming an integral neck on the flange. A supporting ring die is radiused at its inner corner to form a suitable fillet radius at the junction of the neck with the flange proper. A suitable preforming or post-forming operation may be required to compensate for any deflection in the workpiece out of planar configuration.

US Patent:

43391125, Jul 13, 1982

Filed:

May 5, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/146764

Inventors:

Walter L. Connolly - Moraga CA
Harold T. Ray - Walnut Creek CA

Assignee:

Grove Valve and Regulator Company - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F16K 2700
F16K 500

US Classification:

251367

Abstract:

An integral valve end closure and hub formed from a circular section of steel plate having a small coaxial hole in the center. The steel around the hole is swaged outward with a tapered die for initial forming of a hub and then, in a second swaging operation, the outer portion is swaged to substantially cylindrical configuration. The result is an end closure starting with a cylindrical hub at the pipeline connection, and then flaring outward almost to the inner diameter of the main body member to which the closure is attached, by bolting or welding.