Hybrid expansion apparatus and process

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An improved sleeving apparatus and process capable of simultaneously expanding and rolling an interference joint between a reinforcing sleeve and a heat exchanger tube is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises an elongated housing onto which upper and lower rollers are mounted, and upper and lower hydraulic expanders capable of applying a radially expansive force onto a sleeve across the length of the rollers. The rolls in the rollers are driven by a common drive shaft which is coupled to a hydraulic motor. The apparatus includes a torque controller including a torque sensor and a computer for controlling the torque, and hence the rolling pressure that the rollers place on, the …