Reflare tool and process

Abstract

A flaring body has first and second opposing ends. A perimeter surface intersects the first end, and a flaring surface is located between the perimeter surface and the second end. The perimeter surface has a first cross-sectional profile with a first area, and the flaring surface having a second cross-sectional profile with a second area less than the first area. The perimeter surface and the flaring surface are joined by an inside, rounded corner. A crimping body has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, and an interior surface that forms defines a passageway that connects said top and bottom surfaces. The interior surface has a third cross-sectional profile with a third area larger than the first area. The flaring body is slidably captureable in the passageway. The interior surface further has a crimping channel that extends along at least a portion thereof and terminates at the bottom surface.

1 . A reflare tool comprising:
 a flaring body having a first end, a second opposing end, a perimeter surface that intersects said first end, and a flaring surface located between said perimeter surface and said second end, said perimeter surface having a first cross-sectional profile with a first area, and said flaring surface having a second cross-sectional profile with a second area less than said first area, said perimeter surface and said flaring surface being joined by an inside, rounded corner; and   a crimping body having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and an interior surface that defines a passageway that connects said top and bottom surfaces and has a third cross-sectional profile with a third area larger than said first area such that said flaring body is slidably captureable in said passageway, said interior surface further having a crimping channel extending along at least a portion thereof and terminating at said bottom surface.   
     
     
         2 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second cross-sectional profile includes one or more notches. 
     
     
         3 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crimping channel has a cross-sectional profile that is about circular. 
     
     
         4 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a source of a force applied to said first end that is able to apply a first force to said flaring body during said flaring and a different second force to said flaring body during said crimping. 
     
     
         5 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crimping channel includes a sloped channel sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crimping body and said flaring body are formed from hardened tool steel. 
     
     
         7 . The reflare tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said passageway includes a keyed portion. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a reflare tool, comprising:
 forming a flaring body having a first end, a second opposing end, a perimeter surface that intersects said first end, and a flaring surface located between said perimeter surface and said second end, said perimeter surface having a first cross-sectional profile with a first area, and said flaring surface having a second cross-sectional profile with a second area less than said first area;   forming an inside, rounded corner between said perimeter surface and said flaring surface;   forming a crimping body having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and an interior surface that defines a passageway that connects said top and bottom surfaces and has a third cross-sectional profile with a third area larger than said first area such that said flaring body is slidably captureable in said passageway; and   forming a crimping channel extending along at least a portion of said interior surface of said crimping body, and terminating at said bottom surface of said crimping body.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said second cross-sectional profile is about circular. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said crimping channel has a cross-sectional profile that is about circular. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising coupling to said flaring body a source of a first force, and coupling to said crimping body a source of a second force, wherein said first force can be applied independently of said first force. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said passageway includes a keyed portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising forming said crimping body and said flaring body from tool steel. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising forming said crimping channel with a sloped sidewall. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a reflare tool, comprising:
 providing a port ring and a joint flange located within said port ring;   flaring said joint flange by applying a first force to a first end of a flaring body having a second end opposing said first end, a perimeter surface that intersects said first end, and a flaring surface located between said perimeter surface and said second end, said perimeter surface having a first cross-sectional profile with a first area, and said flaring surface having a second cross-sectional profile with a second area less than said first area, said perimeter surface and said flaring surface being joined by an inside, rounded corner; and   crimping said joint flange to said port ring by applying a second force to a top surface of a crimping body having an interior surface that defines a passageway connecting said top surface to an opposing bottom surface, said interior surface having a third cross-sectional profile with a third area larger than said first area such that said flaring body is slidably captureable in said passageway, said interior surface further having a crimping channel extending along at least a portion thereof and terminating at said bottom surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising compressing said joint flange and said port ring between said flaring surface and a channel sidewall of said crimping channel. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said second cross-sectional area is about circular. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising applying a first value of said first force to said flaring body during said flaring and a different second value of said first force to said flaring body during said crimping. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a flare-crimp joint formed by said flaring and crimping is sealant-free. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said joint flange is a portion of a furnace heat exchanger.