Tubular member deformation process

Abstract

A process to plastically deform a metallic tubular member includes heating a portion of the tubular member to at least 350 degrees Celsius, performing a feeding operation on the tubular member by applying axial force to one end of the tubular member to plastically deform a primary deformed portion of the tubular member, and subsequently creating one of a bent portion in the tubular member and a secondary deformed portion in the tubular member between the one end of the tubular member and the primary deformed portion.

1 . A process to plastically deform a metallic tubular member, comprising
 heating a portion of the tubular member to at least 350 degrees Celsius;   performing a feeding operation on the tubular member by applying axial force to one end of the tubular member to plastically deform a primary deformed portion of the tubular member; and   subsequently creating one of a bent portion in the tubular member and a secondary deformed portion in the tubular member between the one end of the tubular member and the primary deformed portion.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein performing the feeding operation on the tubular member comprises creating an expanded portion in the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein performing the feeding operation on the tubular member comprises creating a flattened portion in the tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein performing the feeding operation on the tubular member comprises creating a thickened portion in the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein performing the feeding operation on the tubular member comprises applying axial force to two ends of the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein subsequently creating one of the bent portion and the secondary deformed portion comprises:
 achieving a minimum temperature in a secondary portion of the tubular member of at least 350 degrees Celsius; and   creating the bent portion.   
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , further comprising, after performing the feeding operation, permitting the tubular member to cool; and
 wherein achieving the minimum temperature comprises heating the tubular member back to the minimum temperature.   
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein subsequently creating one of the bent portion and the secondary deformed portion comprises:
 achieving a minimum temperature in a portion of the tubular member of at least 350 degrees Celsius; and   creating the secondary deformed portion.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , further comprising, after performing the feeding operation, permitting the tubular member to cool; and
 wherein achieving the minimum temperature comprises heating the tubular member back to the minimum temperature.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein creating the secondary deformed portion comprises creating an expanded portion. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein creating the secondary deformed portion comprises creating a flattened portion. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein creating the secondary deformed portion comprises creating an thickened portion. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein creating the secondary deformed portion comprises creating a twist in the tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . A process to plastically deform a metallic tubular member, comprising
 heating a portion of the tubular member to at least 350 degrees Celsius;   performing a feeding operation on the tubular member by applying axial force to a two ends of the tubular member to plastically deform a primary deformed portion of the tubular member; and   subsequently deforming the tubular member between the primary deformed portion and the first end of the tubular member and deforming the tubular member between the primary deformed portion and a second end of the tubular member, wherein deforming the tubular member between the primary deformed portion and the first end of the tubular member and deforming the tubular member between the primary deformed portion and the second end of the tubular member each comprise creating one of a bend in the tubular member and creating an additional deformed portion in the tubular member.   
     
     
         15 . A process to plastically deform a metallic tubular member, comprising
 heating a portion of the tubular member to at least 350 degrees Celsius;   performing a feeding operation on the tubular member by applying axial force to one end of the tubular member to plastically deform a primary deformed portion of the tubular member;   subsequently creating a bent portion in the tubular member between the one end of the tubular member and the primary deformed portion, comprising:
 cooling the tubular member; and 
 bending the tubular member; and 
   subsequently reheating the tubular member to at least 350 degrees Celsius and creating a secondary deformed portion on the tubular member. .