HydroPro, Inc. ^TM

Description

SleevePro offers the user the ability to expand tubes to a pre-determined and repeatable dimension. By not relying on pressure control but on a unique strain control process, unsupported tubes can be accurately expanded. Three applications are: SLEEVING A viable alternative to tube plugging. Many times tubes that have become damaged due to corrosion or erosion can be repaired by expanding a sleeve over the damaged area or even over the full length of the tube. While there is some loss of thermal transfer efficiency, a sleeved tube does little to diminish the overall effectiveness of the exchanger. TUBE TO BAFFLE EXPANSION Many times oversized baffle holes are the cause of premature tube wear due to the vibration of the tubes during normal product flow. SleevePro allows a controlled expansion of the tube right at the site of the baffle, thereby eliminating tube erosion caused by vibration. TUBE TO FIN EXPANSION Due to SleevePro's unique method of controlling the amount of radial growth of a tube that is being expanded, it makes it the ideal method of joining tubes to fins. SleevePro addresses the concerns of fin distortion and loose tube-to-fin joints commonly seen with such methods as hydraulically driven rams or carbide balls by full depth single step expansion accomplished using water as the expansion medium. As with all of our hydraulic expansion product lines this also eliminates physical damage, work hardening, and cracking to the tube i.d. so common with other methods.

HydroPro can supply you with made to order sleeves, ferrules and full length tube liners. Contact us for a quote.

Expansion Process

The SleevePro® system is an electronically controlled means of hydraulically expanding sleeves into tubes, tubes into baffles, tubes into fins, and full length liners into tubes by monitoring and controlling the growth or strain of the sleeve.

Once the sleeve comes into contact with the parent tube, the SleevePro® system controls additional tube growth to limit the radial expansion of the sleeve and parent tube, thus creating a tight interfacial fit by utilizing the elastic capacity of the parent tube.

Features

• Consistency – all tubes expanded the same
• Approximately five seconds per tube expansion time
• Zero operator strain: all reaction force is absorbed by the tool
• Minimal wall thinning
• Tooling available to easily accommodate any standard tube diameter from 1/2" to 3", nonstandard sizes can be custom manufactured
• Process/Troubleshooting Indicator Lights track real-time expansion progress
• Easy to read digital gauges
• Model 6700 - Enclosed Lightweight metal cabinet designed for durability under demanding shop environments
• Model 6700CS - Enclosed heavy duty plastic "Pelican Case" style housing with wheels designed for portability and durability for use in field service environments

System Configuration

Base System with Gun

• 2 gallon reservoir
• 15,000 PSI maximum (1034 BAR)
• Green/Red Indicator LED on Expansion Gun
• Five digit digital display
• User changeable prefill and dwell time parameters
• Process/Troubleshooting indicator lights

System Components

Power Supply

Mandrel Holder (Gun)

Mandrel Assembly

(Click here to see a description of the mandrel assembly)

Videos

Introduction Video Dial-Up (800 KB) High-Speed (11.5 MB)