Hydraulic chuck device for engagement with the inside of a tube

Abstract

A hydraulic chuck device for use with the inside of a tube. Included is a body defining a chamber and a piston slideably mounted in said chamber. An axially centered stem means is mounted at one of its end on said piston and has a passage along its axis, while sleeve means slideably cover said stem means and are mounted on said body. Collet means are operably connected to said stem means and said sleeve means such that relative movement of one with respect to the other causes activation of said collets. First fluid means are connected to said piston to cause relative movement between said stem and said sleeve, and second fluid means are connected to said stem means for passage of fluid through said passage of said stem means into the inside of said tube. In a preferred embodiment said first means is a pneumatic means positioned to move said piston in said chamber, from a first position blocking passage of fluid from said second fluid means to a second position permitting passage of fluid into said passage, whereby said collets are activated in said second position. The second fluid means preferably has associated herewith an auxiliary chamber communicating with said piston in said second position to permit fluid pressure to further urge said piston to said second position. In a preferred embodiment, collet engaging means are mounted on said stem and collet surface activating means are on said sleeve to cooperatively activate the collets. Seal means are preferably supplied to engage the inside of said tube when said collets are engaged.