US 7,509,828 B2
Tool for making enhanced heat transfer surfaces
Petur Thors, Decatur, Ala. (US); and Nikolai Zoubkov, Moscow (Russian Federation)
Assigned to Wolverine Tube, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/388,689.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/665528, filed on Mar. 25, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0213346 A1, Sep. 28, 2006
Int. Cl. B21B 19/08 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 72—96  [72/102; 72/117; 72/123; 72/370.17; 408/147] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
19. A method of enhancing the inner surface of a tube comprising:
a. providing a tool assembly comprising:
(i) a holder comprising a longitudinal axis, an exterior top wall, an exterior bottom wall, an exterior outer wall and at least one substantially hollow shaft, wherein the at least one shaft extends through the holder and comprises a first opening and a second opening;
(ii) at least one rod assembly comprising:
a rod guide having a head end and a tail end;
a rod having a tip shaped with a tip geometry and positioned in the rod guide, wherein the tip extends from the head end of the rod guide,
wherein the at least one rod assembly is positioned in the at least one shaft of the holder and wherein the head end of the rod guide is capable of extending from the first opening of the at least one shaft and wherein the tail end of the rod guide is capable of extending from the second opening of the at least one shaft;
(iii) a washer positioned substantially adjacent the exterior bottom wall of the holder and adapted to apply pressure to the tail end of the rod guide to cause the at least one rod assembly to move a distance along the at least one shaft and the tip to extend beyond the outer wall of the holder when a force is exerted on the washer;
(iv) a spacer positioned substantially adjacent the exterior top wall of the holder and adapted to apply pressure to the head end of the rod guide to cause the at least one rod assembly to move along at least a portion of the at least one shaft to retract the tip within the outer wall of the holder; and
(v) a biasing element positioned substantially adjacent the spacer;
b. positioning the tool assembly in the tube;
c. causing relative rotation and relative axial movement between the tube and the tool assembly; and
d. forming protrusions on the inner surface of the tube with the tip.