System for forming at least one bulge on a fluid circuit pipe and associated method

Abstract

A system for forming at least one annular bead (9) on a cylindrical component (1), the forming system (2) comprising: at least one mold (3) configured to extend over the circumference of the cylindrical component (1) and having at least one annular groove (31) formed on an inner surface and intended to receive the annular bead (9), the mold (3) being made of a material transparent to laser radiation; at least one laser radiation device (4) extending circumferentially around the mold (3) and configured to emit circumferential laser radiation in the direction of the cylindrical component (1) so as to heat it; and an injection device (5) configured to inject a pressurized fluid (P) against an inner radial surface (11) of the cylindrical component (1), at least opposite the annular groove (31), so as to form the annular bead (9) in the annular groove (31). Figure 8

Description

Title of the invention: System for forming at least one bulge on a fluid circuit pipe and associated method. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aircraft fluid circuits. The invention relates in particular to the assembly of pipes intended to be mounted in an aircraft fluid circuit.

[0002] As is known, an aircraft fluid circuit comprises a plurality of pipes mechanically and fluidically connected to each other. In practice, with reference to [Fig. 1], each pipe 101 is in the form of a tube (including or not a connector) which includes a connection end 110 and extends longitudinally along an axis X. Two adjacent pipes 101 are connected at their connection ends 110 via a connecting fitting 102 to form the fluid circuit.

[0003] In order to reduce the mass of an aircraft, pipes are increasingly being made of a thermoplastic material, and more particularly of a polymer known as PEEK (meaning polyetheretherketone), which allows the manufacture of semi-rigid, lightweight and robust pipes.

[0004] The connecting fitting 102 for connecting two pipes 101 made of a thermoplastic material is generally made of a rubber-type elastomer material and covers the connection ends 110 of the two pipes 101.

[0005] To prevent any movement of the connecting fitting 102 relative to the pipes 101, it is known to locally deform the pipe 101 by forming an annular bead 109 projecting radially from the connection end 110, as shown in [Fig. 2]. To hold the connecting fitting 102 in position, a fastening element F, for example a hose clamp, is mounted on the overlap area between the bead 109 and the end of the connecting fitting 102. The fastening element F is held in position by the bead 109, and the connecting fitting 102 cannot slide along the pipes 101.

[0006] As is known, to form the bead 109 on a thermoplastic pipe 101, the pipe, initially of uniform cross-section, must be heated to make the material malleable. The preheated pipe 101 is then mounted on a specific tool O, shown in [Fig. 2]. In such a tool O, a forming head T, mounted to rotate about the X-axis, is positioned inside the pipe 101 and offset from the center of the pipe 101. Applying radial pressure to the pipe 101 via the forming head T allows the bead 109 to be progressively formed during the rotation of the tool O.

[0007] However, such a process requires, firstly, heating the pipe 101 and then, secondly, positioning it on the tool O to form the bead 109. Moving the pipe 101 from one tool to another increases cycle times. Such a transfer also results in cooling of the pipe 101, which must therefore be superheated beforehand to be sufficiently malleable to form the bead 109 after the tool change. A higher temperature can damage the pipe 101, whose mechanical properties may be altered.In addition, as the bead 109 is formed progressively by a rotating tool, the pipe 101 can also cool down during the operation, which can lead to residual stresses in the pipe 101.

[0008] A system for heating the pipe 101 by thermal conduction is also known in the prior art. In such a system, with reference to [Fig. 3], a circumferential conductive element C extends around the periphery of the pipe 101 and has a U-shaped cross-section. The conductive element C comprises a central groove Cl (intended to receive the bead 109) and two lateral portions C2, in contact with the outer surface of the pipe 101. The conductive element C then heats the pipe 101 by thermal conduction.

[0009] However, heating by thermal conduction is lengthy and tedious. Moreover, such an operation results in uneven heating of the entire connecting end 110 of the pipe 101. It may also be necessary to overheat the lateral portions C2 to reach a predetermined temperature at the central groove Cl, which can damage the pipe 101.

[0010] The invention thus aims to eliminate at least some of these drawbacks by providing a simple, reliable, and rapid system and method for forming a peripheral bead on a fluid circuit pipe. In particular, the invention aims to eliminate the need for a two-step process, thus avoiding intermediate cooling and therefore initial overheating. The invention also aims to guarantee the integrity of the entire pipe. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates to a system for forming at least one annular bead on a cylindrical component, the cylindrical component extending longitudinally along an axis, the cylindrical component being hollow and comprising at least one annular formation zone, the cylindrical component having a radial surface the formation system comprising: an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface opposite the inner radial surface; • at least one mold configured to extend over the circumference of the cylindrical component, the mold having at least one annular groove formed on an inner surface and intended to receive the annular bead, the annular groove being configured to extend around the forming area, • at least one laser radiation device extending circumferentially around the mold, the laser radiation device being configured to emit circumferential laser radiation in the direction of the cylindrical component along the forming zone so as to heat it, • the mold being made of a material transparent to laser radiation, so as to allow the laser beams emitted by the laser radiation device to pass through, so that they are absorbed by the cylindrical component, and • an injection device configured to inject a pressurized fluid against the inner radial surface of the cylindrical component, at least opposite the annular groove, so as to form the annular bead in the annular groove.

[0012] The forming system according to the invention allows the cylindrical component to be heated and the bead to be formed without the need to move the cylindrical component from one tooling to another. Thus, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to overheat the cylindrical component beforehand to make the material sufficiently malleable for the formation of the annular bead. The laser radiation device and the injection device can operate simultaneously, which eliminates any risk of damaging the cylindrical component and thereby preventing any risk of altering the mechanical properties of the material from which it is made. The forming system also allows for significant time savings on the production line, which reduces costs.

[0013] Laser radiation heating, through a laser-transparent mold, allows the forming zone to be heated directly, simply, and quickly. Thus, unlike prior Part systems, the heating is homogeneous over the entire external surface exposed to the laser radiation, which limits any risk of overheating, in order to heat the forming zone to a predetermined temperature, and of damage to the cylindrical component.

[0014] Furthermore, thanks to the injection device coupled to the mold, the annular bead is advantageously formed simultaneously over the entire periphery of the component cylindrical, which limits any risk of residual stress appearing, guaranteeing optimal mechanical properties of the cylindrical component.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the forming system includes a pressurized fluid guide configured to be mounted inside the cylindrical component and to guide the pressurized fluid against the inner radial surface of the cylindrical component in the forming zone. The guide allows for localized injection of the pressurized fluid only opposite the annular groove, thus ensuring the integrity of the entire cylindrical component by eliminating the need to pressurize the assembly. Thanks to the guide, the overall size of the forming system is also advantageously reduced.

[0016] Preferably, the guide element comprises at least a plurality of through channels extending radially with respect to the longitudinal axis, each through channel being configured to extend opposite the annular groove. This allows for calibrated injection of the pressurized fluid simultaneously into the entire annular groove.

[0017] Preferably, the guide element comprises a central channel, fluidly connected to the injection device for admitting the pressurized fluid into the guide element, the central channel extending along the longitudinal axis, and at least a plurality of through channels distributed around the circumference of the guide element and fluidly connected to the central channel, so as to form an injection flange for the pressurized fluid, each through channel being configured to extend opposite the annular groove. This ensures that the pressurized fluid is propelled only opposite the annular groove. The channels also limit the flow rate of the pressurized fluid, which advantageously reduces the size of the injection device.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the laser radiation device comprises a plurality of laser sources distributed circumferentially around the mold, each laser source being configured to emit laser radiation towards the cylindrical component according to the forming zone. The entire forming zone can thus advantageously be heated simultaneously, which reduces manufacturing time and therefore costs, while also allowing for increased production rates.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mold comprises a plurality of annular grooves distributed along the longitudinal axis, so as to form a plurality of annular ridges. Thus, several annular grooves can advantageously be formed simultaneously on the cylindrical component, which represents a significant time saving and reduces costs. This also allows the formation of bellows-type pipe components, for example.

[0020] According to one aspect, the guiding element comprises several pluralities of through channels, so as to form several injection flanges for the pressurized fluid and allow the formation of several annular ridges along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical component by localized injection of pressurized fluid. This allows the local injection of pressurized fluid for the simultaneous formation of several annular ridges.

[0021] In one embodiment, the training system comprises: • a plurality of molds configured to extend around the circumference of the cylindrical component at different longitudinal positions, and • a plurality of laser radiation devices, each laser radiation device extending circumferentially around one of the plurality of molds.

[0022] Such an embodiment makes it possible to form several annular ridges simultaneously by means of a system whose size is reduced.

[0023] In one embodiment, the training system comprises: • a plurality of mold portions configured to extend around the circumference of the cylindrical component at different longitudinal positions, the mold portions being configured to move axially relative to each other, and • a plurality of laser irradiation devices, each laser irradiation device extending circumferentially around the plurality of mold portions.

[0024] Such an embodiment makes it possible to simultaneously form several annular ridges from a straight cylindrical component, for example to form a bellows-type pipe.

[0025] The invention also relates to an assembly of a pipe intended to be mounted in a fluid circuit of an aircraft and a formation system as described above for the formation of an annular bead on the pipe.

[0026] Finally, the invention relates to a method for forming at least one annular bead on a cylindrical component using the forming system as described above, the cylindrical component being mounted in the forming system, the annular groove of the mold and the laser radiation device extending over the circumference of the cylindrical component opposite the forming zone, the method comprising the steps of: • heat the training area using the laser radiation device, and, • inject a pressurized fluid inside the cylindrical component, so as to form the annular bead in the annular groove.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the heating step and the pressurized fluid injection step are carried out simultaneously, which eliminates the risk of cooling the formation zone, which could lead to alteration of the cylindrical component during the formation of the bead, while also allowing a significant time saving.

[0028] Preferably, the laser radiation device emits laser radiation with a power of between 10 and 30 watts for an initial duration of between 2 and 10 seconds. This allows the cylindrical component to be heated by the laser radiation device to temperatures and for a limited duration, below the welding conditions. The integrity of the cylindrical component, even after the operation, is advantageously guaranteed. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of example, and referring to the following figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an assembly of two pipes of a fluid circuit.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a system for forming a bead on a pipeline according to the prior art.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a system for forming a bead by thermal conduction according to the prior art.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a system for forming a bead on a pipe according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] The [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a mold of the formation system of the [Fig.4] according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the formation system of Fig. 4.

[0036] The [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of a main body of a laser radiation device of the formation system of the [Fig.4] according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a pipeline comprising a peripheral bead formed by means of the formation system of Fig. 4.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a formation system according to an alternative embodiment for the formation of several ridges.

[0039] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a pipeline comprising a plurality of peripheral bulges formed by means of the formation system of Fig. 9.

[0040] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures being of course able to serve to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The invention relates to a system for forming an annular bead on a cylindrical component. The invention is applicable, for example, to the formation of a bead on a pipe intended for installation in an aircraft fluid circuit. It is understood that the invention applies similarly to any cylindrical component, that is to say, a tubular component.

[0042] With reference to [Fig. 4], the cylindrical component 1 extends longitudinally along an axis X and has the shape of a hollow cylinder. The cylindrical component 1 thus comprises an inner radial surface 11 (intended, in the case of a pipe, to be in contact with a fluid) and an outer radial surface 12 opposite the inner radial surface 11. Preferably, the cylindrical component 1 has the shape of a right circular cylinder. It is understood that the cylindrical component 1 could alternatively have a different cross-section, for example, a cylinder with an ovoid base.

[0043] The cylindrical component 1 includes a forming zone W, shown in [Fig. 4], in which the bead 9 is intended to be formed. In this example, the forming zone W has an annular shape extending at a given longitudinal position (along the longitudinal axis X) over the entire circumference of the cylindrical component 1.

[0044] According to one aspect, the cylindrical component 1 is made of a material that is not transparent to laser radiation, that is, a material capable of absorbing laser radiation. In particular, in one embodiment, the cylindrical component 1 is made of a thermoplastic material, for example, a thermoplastic polymer selected from the Polyaryletherketones known by the acronym "PEAK". In this example, the cylindrical component is made of Polyetheretherketone known by the acronym "PEEK". It is understood that the cylindrical component 1 could alternatively be made of a metallic material.

[0045] With reference to [Fig. 4], a forming system 2 is shown for forming one (or more) bead(s) 9 (shown in [Fig. 6]) on the cylindrical component 1 described above. More specifically, [Fig. 4] shows a view of the forming system 2 along a cutting plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X.

[0046] The formation system 2 includes a mold 3, configured to extend over the circumference of the cylindrical component 1, a laser radiation device 4, configured to extend over the circumference of the mold 3, and an injection device 5 for a pressurized fluid P.

[0047] Still with reference to [Fig.4], the mold 3 has an annular shape to extend circumferentially around the cylindrical component 1. The mold 3 has, in this respect, an inner surface 30, configured to be mounted opposite the outer radial surface 12 of the cylindrical component 1. In particular, the mold 3 is configured to be mounted on the cylindrical component 1 around the forming area W.

[0048] In this example, the mold 3 has the shape of a straight circular cylinder having a central opening, formed by the inner surface 30, to receive the cylindrical component 1.

[0049] In particular, in this example, with reference to [Fig. 5], the mold 3 comprises two articulated bodies 32, 33, so as to allow the removal of the cylindrical component 1 after the formation of the bead 9. The two articulated bodies 32, 33 are preferably connected by a first connecting member 34, for example a hinge. It is understood that the first connecting member 34 could have a different form. In this example, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5, each body 32, 33 forms approximately half of the mold 3. Thanks to the first connecting member 34, the mold 3 has a shape similar to a jaw and can advantageously open and close around the cylindrical component 1, which facilitates the positioning and removal of the cylindrical component 1. It goes without saying that the two bodies 32, 33 could alternatively be independent and fixed to each other only during the formation of the bead 9.Similarly, it goes without saying that mold 3 could contain a different number of bodies 32, 33, in particular a number greater than or equal to two. This also allows the shape of mold 3 to be adapted to the environment in order to optimize its footprint.

[0050] According to one aspect, the mold 3 has one (or more) annular groove 31 formed in the central opening in the inner surface 30 and intended to receive the annular bead 9, as will be described in more detail later. The annular groove 31 is configured to extend around the forming area W, as shown in [Fig. 4].

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the mold 3 comprises a plurality of annular grooves 31 distributed along the longitudinal axis X, so as to form several annular ridges 9. Thus, several annular ridges 9 can advantageously be formed simultaneously.

[0052] In a first embodiment (not shown), each body 32, 33 of the mold 3 is monobloc and each annular groove 31 defines a blind cavity on the inner surface 30 of the mold 3, in a manner analogous to a mold 3 having a single annular groove 31, as shown in Figures 4 and 8.

[0053] In a second embodiment, as shown in [Fig. 9], each body 32, 33 of the mold 3 comprises several portions 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D. Hereafter, a portion is generally defined by the letter X. Each portion 32X, 33X has a complementary shape to the adjacent portion(s) 32X, 33X of the body 32, 33, so as to form, when joined together, the plurality of annular grooves 31 (shown in [Fig. 10]). In other words, each portion 32X, 33X comprises on its inner surface 30 one (or two) recess(s) corresponding to a half-ring groove 31, with two adjacent recesses forming a ring groove 31. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for forming bellows-shaped pipes. In this example, each body 32, 33 of the mold 3 has four portions 32X, 33X to form three ring grooves 31.It goes without saying that the number of portions 32X, 33X could be different to form a different number of annular grooves 31. As will be shown later, the portions 32X, 33X are independent so as to allow adjustment of the spacing between the annular grooves 31.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the mold 3 is made of a material transparent to laser radiation. In this example, the mold 3 is made of polycarbonate or transparent quartz. The mold 3 thus allows the laser radiation to pass through so that it is absorbed by the cylindrical component 1, as will be described in more detail later.

[0055] As described previously, the laser radiation device 4 extends circumferentially around the mold 3, as shown in [Fig.6].

[0056] The laser radiation device 4 is configured to emit circumferential laser radiation towards the cylindrical component 1 at least along the formation zone W, so as to heat it. In particular, the emitted laser radiation is configured to pass through the mold 3 and be absorbed by the cylindrical component 1, so as to make the material malleable for the formation of the annular bead 9.

[0057] According to a preferred aspect, the laser radiation device 4 comprises a main body 40 having the shape of a straight cylinder having a central opening 42 to receive the mold 3. In this example, the main body 40 has the shape of a circular cylinder and the central opening 42 cooperates by complementary shapes with the mold 3.

[0058] In particular, in this example, with reference to [Fig. 7], the main body 40 comprises two articulated body portions 40A, 40B, so as to allow asimple and quick positioning and removal of the assembly. The two body portions 40A, 40B are preferably connected by a connecting member 44, for example a hinge, in a manner analogous to mold 3. It goes without saying that the connecting member 44 could have a different form. Thanks to the connecting member 44, the main body 40, which can be likened to a jaw, can advantageously open and close around the mold 3 and the cylindrical component 1, thus facilitating the positioning and removal of the mold 3 and the cylindrical component 1. It goes without saying that the body portions 40A, 40B could alternatively be independent and fixed to each other only during the bead forming operation 9. In this example, each body portion 40A, 40B forms approximately half of the main body 40. The main body 40 could alternatively comprise more than two body portions 40A, 40B.This also allows the shape of the main body 40 to be adapted to the environment in order to optimize its footprint.

[0059] In this example, with reference to [Fig. 6], in the mounted position, the laser radiation device 4 comprises a plurality of laser sources 41 distributed circumferentially around the mold 3. For this purpose, the main body 40 preferably comprises a plurality of inlets 43 (shown in [Fig. 7]) distributed around the circumference of the main body 40 and intended to receive the plurality of laser sources 4L. In this example, the main body 40 has a plurality of internal channels 45, each formed between an inlet 43 and the central opening 42 and configured to route the laser radiation from each laser source 41 to the mold 3 and the cylindrical component 4L. The plurality of laser sources 41 thus forms a collar capable of emitting laser radiation in the formation zone W opposite the annular groove 31 over the entire periphery of the cylindrical component 1.

[0060] According to a preferred aspect, each laser source 41 is in the form of an optical fiber powered by a laser generator. The laser sources 41 are dimensioned so that the radiation from all the laser sources 41 covers the entire circumference of the formation zone W of the cylindrical component 1, as shown in [Fig. 6]. Thus, the entire circumference of the formation zone W is heated simultaneously and homogeneously by all the laser sources 41

[0061] It is understood that the laser radiation device 4 could alternatively be in a different form, for example in which a single laser source 41 is associated with a set of laser radiation reflection mirrors to simultaneously reach the circumference of the formation zone W. Similarly, the cylindrical component 1 could alternatively be mounted to rotate relative to the formation system 2 to gradually heat the circumference of the formation zone W by means of a smaller number of laser sources 41, or even by means of a single laser source 4L

[0062] In the case of a mold 3 comprising a plurality of annular grooves 31 positioned successively along the longitudinal axis X as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the forming system 2 preferably comprises a plurality of laser irradiation devices 4. Preferably, each irradiation device 4 is configured to emit laser radiation in at least one of the forming zones W, as shown in [Fig. 9]. It is understood that the forming system 2 could comprise a different number of laser irradiation devices 4, the important point being that laser radiation is emitted in each forming zone W. The forming system 2 could also alternatively comprise a single laser irradiation device 4 comprising a plurality of laser sources 41 distributed to form several laser radiation collars in each forming zone W opposite each annular groove 31.

[0063] To enable the formation of the bead 9, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, the forming system 2 includes an injection device 5 configured to inject a pressurized fluid P against the inner radial surface 11 of the cylindrical component 1, at least opposite the annular groove 31. The pressurized fluid P injected inside the cylindrical component 1 deforms the latter at least in the forming zone W and pushes the walls of the cylindrical component 1 into the annular groove 31 to form the annular bead 9 by complementary shapes. Thus, thanks to the injection device 5 associated with the mold 3 and the laser radiation device 4, the forming system 2 simultaneously heats the cylindrical component 1 and forms the annular bead 9, thereby avoiding any excessive overheating associated with heating and subsequent forming.In this example, the injection device 5 is in the form of a pressurized air reservoir. It goes without saying that it could be different. During injection, the cylindrical component 1 is hermetically sealed.

[0064] Preferably, a conduit 51 allows the injection device 5 to be fluidly and securely connected inside the cylindrical component 1.

[0065] In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 9 and 10, the injection device 5 is connected in a sealed manner to the cylindrical component 1 via a connecting member 52, to convey the pressurized fluid P throughout the interior of the cylindrical component 1.

[0066] In a second embodiment, with reference to Figures 4 and 8, the forming system 2 comprises a guide element 6 for the pressurized fluid P. The guide element 6 is configured to be mounted at least partially inside the cylindrical component 1 and to guide the pressurized fluid P against the inner radial surface 11 of the cylindrical component 1 in the forming zone W. Preferably, the guide element 6 allows local guidance of the fluid under pressure P, only in the formation zone W.

[0067] In this example, with reference to [Fig. 4], the guide member 6 comprises an insertion portion 61 configured to be inserted inside the cylindrical component 1. The insertion portion 61 preferably has a shape complementary to the interior of the cylindrical component 1, in this example a cylindrical shape with a circular base. Even more preferably, the insertion portion 61 has dimensions that allow it to be easily inserted into the cylindrical component 1, while being positioned against the inner radial surface 11 of the cylindrical component 1 once mounted. In this example, the insertion portion 61 has a free end (through which the guide member 6 is configured to be inserted into the cylindrical component 1) that includes a chamfer or a rounded edge to facilitate the insertion of the guide member 6 into the cylindrical component 1.

[0068] In this example, the guide member 6 comprises an outer portion 62 which extends longitudinally along the X axis in line with the insertion portion 61 and is configured to extend externally to the cylindrical component 1, to allow the guide member 6 to be gripped. The outer portion 62 preferably has a diameter greater than a diameter of the cylindrical component 1 and thus comprises a shoulder 63, so as to form a stop for the guide member 6. The stop 63 allows optimal placement of the guide member 6 with respect to the forming zone W while ensuring sealing.

[0069] With further reference to [Fig. 4], the guide element 6 comprises, in this example, a central channel 64, fluidly connected to the injection device 5 for the admission of the pressurized fluid P. The central channel 64 extends along the longitudinal axis X. In a preferred embodiment, the guide element 6 also comprises a plurality of through channels 65 fluidly connected to the central channel 64 and configured to extend along the annular groove 31. The through channels 65 are preferably distributed around the circumference of the guide element 6 to allow homogeneous injection of the pressurized fluid P over the entire formation area W. In other words, the plurality of through channels 65 makes it possible to form an injection flange for the pressurized fluid P along the entire annular groove 31.The injection of pressurized fluid P can thus be carried out simultaneously over the entire circumference of the formation zone W through all the traversing channels 65, as will be described in more detail later.

[0070] In one embodiment, the guide member 6 comprises several pluralities of through channels 65 mounted at different longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis X, so as to form several injection flanges for the fluid under pressure P. This allows the formation of several annular bulges 9 at different positions along the longitudinal axis X, along the cylindrical component 1, by several localized injections of fluid under pressure P. All the annular bulges 9 can be formed simultaneously.

[0071] A method for forming an annular bead 9 on a cylindrical component 1 will now be described, according to an embodiment of the invention, using the formation system 2 as described previously, with reference to [Fig.8].

[0072] In a preliminary step, the cylindrical component 1 (for example, a pipe intended to be mounted in a fluid circuit of an aircraft) is mounted in the forming system 2, the annular groove 31 of the mold 3 extending over the circumference of the cylindrical component 1 opposite the forming area W. In this example, the cylindrical component 1 is mounted on a first body 32 of the mold 3 and the second articulated body 33 is closed on the cylindrical component 1 opposite the first body 32.

[0073] The laser emitting device 4 is mounted externally to the mold 3, such that the laser beams emitted by the latter pass through the mold 3 at least at the annular groove 31. The laser emitting device 4 is mounted similarly to the mold 3 by means of two body portions 40 articulated with respect to each other. In this example, the laser emitting device 4 comprises a plurality of laser sources 41 distributed circumferentially around the mold 3, as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0074] In this example, the formation system 2 includes a guide member 6 which is mounted, in this preliminary step, inside the cylindrical component 1, to guide the pressurized fluid P. The plurality of through channels 65 is mounted opposite the annular groove 31 of the mold 3.

[0075] In a first step El, the laser radiation device 4 emits laser radiation which passes through the mold 3 and is absorbed at least by the formation zone W of the cylindrical component 1.

[0076] According to a preferred aspect, the laser radiation device 4 emits laser radiation with a power of between 10 and 30 watts for an initial duration of between 2 and 10 seconds. This power level, lower than that used for laser welding, is sufficient to heat the cylindrical component 1 to make the material malleable. In this example, the cylindrical component 1, made of PEEK, is heated to a temperature between 200 and 240 °C. Thus, the mechanical properties of the material used to manufacture the cylindrical component 1 are not altered.

[0077] When the formation zone W of the cylindrical component 1 is sufficiently hot, in a second step E2, the injection device 5 injects a fluid under pressure P. According to a preferred aspect, the fluid under pressure P is air placed under a pressure between 2x105 and 8x105 Pa (2 and 8 bars).

[0078] In this example, in which a guide member 6 is mounted in the cylindrical component 1, the pressurized fluid P is conveyed via the central channel 64 to the plurality of through channels 65 which extend radially opposite the annular groove 31 of the mold 3.

[0079] In a third step E3, the portion of the cylindrical component 1 in the formation zone W is pushed radially by the pressurized fluid P and is pressed against the inner walls of the annular groove 31. Thanks to the annular groove 31 and the plurality of through channels 65, the entire annular bead 9 can be formed simultaneously, which makes it possible to limit any risk of the appearance of residual stresses in the cylindrical component 1.

[0080] Advantageously, since the laser radiation device 4 is always mounted around the mold 3, it can continue to emit laser radiation during the deformation of the formation zone W in the annular groove 31 by the injection of the pressurized fluid P. This makes it possible to maintain an optimal temperature of the cylindrical component 1 in the formation zone W throughout the entire operation of forming the annular bead 9.

[0081] When the annular bead 9 is formed in the annular groove 31, the injection of the fluid under pressure P is stopped, as is the laser radiation device 4. The cylindrical component 1 is kept in the mold 3 for a second time allowing the cylindrical component 1 to cool.

[0082] The laser radiation device 4 and the mold 3 are then opened, so as to release the cylindrical component 1 in which the annular bead 9 has been formed.

[0083] In one embodiment, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, for the formation of several annular grooves 31 on the same cylindrical component 1, all the formation zones W are heated simultaneously by several laser radiation devices 4. When the formation zones W are sufficiently hot, the injection device 5 injects the pressurized fluid P, in this example, into the entire cylindrical component 1, to simultaneously deform the different formation zones W. The surfaces of the cylindrical component 1 that are not in a formation zone W are held radially by the portions 32X, 33X of the mold 3 to prevent their radial deformation. In parallel, the portions 32X, 33X are brought axially closer together along the longitudinal axis X to form the cavities that define the annular grooves 31. When the portions 32X, 33X are joined together, all the annular ridges 9 are formed.

[0084] All the annular ridges 9 can advantageously be formed simultaneously.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Formation system (2) of at least one annular bead (9) on a cylindrical component (1), the cylindrical component (1) extending longitudinally along an axis (X), the cylindrical component (1) being hollow and comprising at least one annular formation zone (W), the cylindrical component (1) having an inner radial surface (11) and an outer radial surface (12) opposite the inner radial surface (11), the formation system (2) comprising: • at least one mold (3) configured to extend over the circumference of the cylindrical component (1), the mold (3) having at least one annular groove (31) formed on an inner surface (30) and intended to receive the annular bead (9), the annular groove (31) being configured to extend around the forming zone (W), • at least one laser radiation device (4) extending circumferentially around the mold (3), the laser radiation device (4) being configured to emit circumferential laser radiation in the direction of the cylindrical component (1) along the formation zone (W) so as to heat it, • the mold (3) being made of a material transparent to laser radiation, so as to allow the laser beams emitted by the laser radiation device (4) to pass through, so that they may be absorbed by the cylindrical component (1), and • an injection device (5) configured to inject a pressurized fluid (P) against the inner radial surface (11) of the cylindrical component (1), at least opposite the annular groove (31), so as to form the annular bead (9) in the annular groove (31). Formation system (2) according to claim 1, the formation system (2) comprising a guide member (6) for the pressurized fluid (P) configured to be mounted inside the cylindrical component (1) and to guide the pressurized fluid (P) against the inner radial surface (11) of the cylindrical component (1) in the formation zone (W).

3. Formation system (2) according to claim 2, wherein the guiding member comprises at least a plurality of through channels (65) extending radially with respect to the axis (X), each through channel (65) being configured to extend opposite the annular groove (31).

4. Formation system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser radiation device (4) comprises a plurality of laser sources (41) distributed circumferentially around the mold (3), each laser source (41) being configured to emit laser radiation in the direction of the cylindrical component (1) according to the formation area (W).

5. Forming system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mold (3) comprises a plurality of annular grooves (31) distributed along the longitudinal axis (X), so as to form a plurality of annular ridges (9).

6. Formation system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the formation system (2) comprising: • a plurality of molds (3) configured to extend over the circumference of the cylindrical component (1) at different longitudinal positions (XI, X2), and • a plurality of laser irradiation devices (4), each laser irradiation device (4) extending circumferentially around one of the plurality of molds (3).

7. Assembly of a pipe intended to be mounted in a fluid circuit of an aircraft and of a formation system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for the formation of an annular bead (9) on the pipe.

8. A method for forming at least one annular bead (9) on a cylindrical component (1) using the forming system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the cylindrical component (1) being mounted in the forming system (2), the annular groove (31) of the mold (3) and the laser irradiation device (4) extending over the circumference of the cylindrical component (1) opposite the forming zone (W), the method comprising the steps of: • heating the forming zone (W) using the laser irradiation device (4), and,

9. • inject a pressurized fluid (P) inside the cylindrical component (1), so as to form the annular bead (9) in the annular groove (9). A formation method according to claim 8, wherein the heating step and the pressurized fluid injection step (P) are carried out simultaneously.

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