Can anyone identify this machine? 2

[katilicous]

Hi I picked this up at an auction. I am not qualified to say what it does and even my speculation will sound a bit, well speculative so I thought maybe I would ask someone who might.
Here's some facts about it..
Built like a press but out of aluminum.
Has Versa Hydraulic Valve with Ashcroft pressure gauges and a Master Pneumatic pressure regulator.
There are two circular pieces of metal attached to the ends of two hydraulic cylinders that face each other. Each circle is approx 7-10" round with a rubber gasket that is seated aprox 1/2" in from the outer rim part where they meet.
If anyone can help me identify this machine's purpose, I would so appreciate any and all help.
Thanks
Kati

 

[MikeHalloran]

It's almost certainly a leak test rig, for something shaped like a typical car's underfloor fuel tank.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[monkeydog]

It looks a lot like the jig used to assemble the The Turbo Entabulator

 

[katilicous]

Any other ideas? I did have to replace the flux capacitor if that helps at all...

 

[vpl]

My first thought was like Mike's: that it was a leak rate test rig.

Patricia Lougheed

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[katilicous]

What would be the purpose of the two opposing circles that push into each other? I'm a PT not engineer so thanks for ur patience and help.

 

[gerhardl]

Mike was first and has got it right in my opinion!

I imagine following to be the background for the reasoning:

Top valve is a 5/2 device. One air pressure inlet port, two working pressure ports. One of wich is parallell connected to the outside of the two pistons to press the two flanges together as a clamping device, the other parallell to pistons to give opening direction of the pistons. Two return ports (air outlet from pistons, one side A both pistons, one side B both) to let air out when directional input changes.

Air through to side A or B for the two positions of the 5/2.

Additional: separate air connection to (and through) one of the flanges about half a radius out from middle, with cutoff (and regulation?) valve connected to pressure gauge.

Conclusion: to pressurize for pressure and/or leakage test anything fitting between the two flanges.

Conditions: Test object must be strong enough not to be chrushed. Must have flange/opening fitting to flangesize, combined with inlet opening large enough to let air in.

As the testrig has no mechanical protection, test object and test pressure must be tested well within limits for any fear of exploding from overpressure.

Test objects: From form of testrig (flange with sealing opposite flange with air inlet) it seems reasonable that test objects are tubelike (piping), either with flanges both side, or with mounted flanges for test purposes, one or both sides.

Could also be with one flange and opening only.

 

[katilicous]

Sorry, I thought I posted a reply last night but I must not have finished it tho.
Gerhardl- Wow, that is awesome. Thank you so much for such a detailed process. It must have taken you some time to evaluate it and I really appreciate the help.
There are two sides to that machine and I haven't shown a picture of the other side yet bc I didn't know how to list multiple pics. I uploaded all of the pics I have onto Picasa and was hoping you wouldn't mind taking a look

https://picasaweb.google.com/myfirs...authkey=Gv1sRgCPzQgKbUyrqugAE&feat=directlink

I have a couple questions. Why would the flanges be round? and what do you think the purpose of the two round fittings on the sides are about midway up ? They have bearings in them and kinda rotate?
Thanks again, Kati

 

[gerhardl]

Thank you Kati, but not so awsome as you think!

The whole purpose of this site is to find someone that can answer your questions from practical experience, even if I have not seen anything like this device!

Further comments: your detailed pictures confirms that the 5/2 brass-valve actually could not be anything else, and actually is a 5/2 manual operated valev (eg. pistons each side in open or 'closed' (gripping) position.

Further comments: Your pictures reveals a manual outlet from 'opposite' flange. Eg. If you shut off air supply you could gradually decrease the pressure in your 'test vessel', or empty and repreassurise several times.

Purpose????

Round flages: all flanges are round, and a common easily fabricated or bought standard unit. Why use another form?

Your last question: I am not sure what you are asking about. Please specify!

(PS. Why did you by this device? It was interesting answering your questions- and fun! Hope you enjoy your find!)

Best wishes!

Gerhardl.

 

[rmw]

Does anyone have a link to the turbo entabulator demonstration? I have forgotten where to find it.

rmw

 

[vpl]

try calling it a "encabulator" in google. Here's one You-tube entry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag

Patricia Lougheed

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[katilicous]

I have an extra drawn reciprolcation dingle-arm if anyone needs it. I think it's broken but not sure.
lmao.

 

[katilicous]

Hi Again-
The part I was referring to is in the attached pic. It is the fitting approx 1/3 of the way up both sides of the aluminum stand.
Says REX and a long #. I also updated the picasa link with about 10 other pics that are clearer.
Why did I buy it? Hmmmmmm. A question I get asked quite often about lots of odd things. I put a $5 bid on some bumper foam at the Mustang Saleen auction when they moved their location in 07 and thought it would be like a pallet at most. It was approx 8 by 15 and maybe 8 or 10 high. I just bid and then later scratch my head.
Thanks again,
Kati

 

[MikeHalloran]

That object is a flange mounted bearing, or less accurately, a flanged pillow block. Two are arranged in line so that they can support a common shaft, which might have conjecturally supported a Ferris-wheel like carrier for multiple test articles. ... or something else.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[katilicous]

That totally makes sense, thanks Mike. The place I picked it up from I also bought a pneumatic 2 ton arbor press w foot pedal that looks like it was used to press bearings. Would that help narrow down what it might have been used for?
I love reverse history searches on weird things. This place rocks, thank you.
Kati

 

[rmw]

Now that the flange bearings have been identified, I think that there was a shaft in them and something rotated between the two discs seen in the lower point with the air cylinders attached to each disc used to brake or locate what ever was attached to the shaft. The location of the flange bearings and the 'swing radius' of the device also indicate that to me. Now, I can't imagine what might have been rotating in there that could have been braked or whatever by that flimsey frame.

BTW, is that you with the dog at the beach?

rmw

 

[katilicous]

Yessum, dog beach in La Jolla.
Wait those two cylinders are air cylinders? They aren't marked so I assumed hydraulic.
The title of the auction was roller coating machine