Flow restrictor for a cupper and cupper including the same

Abstract

A flow restrictor for a cupper having a riser and a die center structured to form a metal blank into a cup, wherein a continuous air passage having a first diameter is formed axially through the riser and the die center and is in fluid communication with a base of the die center, the flow restrictor includes a small diameter passage having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be disposed in and in fluid communication with the air passage of the cupper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow restrictor for a cupper, said cupper having a riser and a die center structured to form a metal blank into a cup, wherein a continuous air passage having a first diameter is formed axially through the riser and the die center and is in fluid communication with a base of the die center, said flow restrictor comprising:
 a small diameter passage having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter,   wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be disposed in and in fluid communication with the air passage of the cupper.   
     
     
         2 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a large diameter opening having the first diameter;   a transition section extending from the large diameter opening to the small diameter passage and fluidly coupling the large diameter opening and the small diameter passage, the transition section having an upstream end coupled to the large diameter opening and a downstream end coupled to the small diameter section, wherein the upstream end has the first diameter and the downstream end has the second diameter,   wherein the transition section gradually reduces in diameter from the upstream end to the downstream end.   
     
     
         3 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be disposed in a portion of the air passage formed in the riser, the adapter, or the die center. 
     
     
         4 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the cupper further includes an adapter disposed between the riser and the die center, wherein the air passage is formed axially through the adapter, and wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be disposed in the portion of the air passage formed in the adapter. 
     
     
         5 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be inserted into the air passage. 
     
     
         6 . The flow restrictor of  claim 5 , wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be retained in the air passage by a friction fit or a threaded fit. 
     
     
         7 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is about 0.375 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The flow restrictor of  claim 7 , wherein the second diameter is less than or equal to about 0.188 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The flow restrictor of  claim 7 , wherein the second diameter is less than or equal to about 0.110 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The flow restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor is machined into the air passage. 
     
     
         11 . A cupper comprising:
 a riser;   a die center structured to form a metal blank into a cup;   an air passage having a first diameter formed axially and continuously through the riser and the die center and is in fluid communication with a base of the die center, the air passage structured to receive a supply of air from an air supply; and   a flow restrictor including:
 a small diameter passage having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, 
   wherein the flow restrictor is structured to be disposed in and in fluid communication with the air passage of the cupper.   
     
     
         12 . The cupper of  claim 11 , wherein the flow restrictor further comprises:
 a large diameter opening having the first diameter; and   a transition section extending from the large diameter opening to the small diameter passage and fluidly coupling the large diameter opening and the small diameter passage, the transition section having an upstream end coupled to the large diameter opening and a downstream end coupled to the small diameter section, wherein the upstream end has the first diameter and the downstream end has the second diameter,   wherein the transition section gradually reduces in diameter from the upstream end to the downstream end.   
     
     
         13 . The cupper of  claim 11 , wherein the air passage includes a riser air passage formed in the riser and a die center air passage formed in the die center, wherein the flow restrictor is disposed in one of the riser air passage and the die center air passage. 
     
     
         14 . The cupper of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an adapter disposed between the ram and the punch die,   wherein the air passage is formed axially and continuously through the riser, the adapter, and the die center,   wherein the air passage includes a riser air passage formed in the riser, an adapter air passage formed in the adapter, and a die center air passage formed in the die center, and   wherein the flow restrictor is disposed in the adapter air passage.   
     
     
         15 . The cupper of  claim 11 , wherein the flow restrictor is an insert in the air passage. 
     
     
         16 . The cupper of  claim 15 , wherein the flow restrictor is retained in the air passage by a friction fit or a threaded fit. 
     
     
         17 . The cupper of  claim 11 , wherein the first diameter is about 0.375 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The cupper of  claim 17 , wherein the second diameter is less than or equal to about 0.188 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The cupper of  claim 17 , wherein the second diameter is less than or equal to about 0.110 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The cupper of  claim 11 , wherein the flow restrictor is machined into the air passage.