Apparatus and method for continuous extrusion

Abstract

Four trains of gripping element quadrants are continuously propelled around four endless paths, meeting along one length of travel common to the four paths and cooperating along said common length of travel to form a continuously moving train of centrally apertured gripping elements moving toward an extrusion die adjacent the end of said common length of travel. Rod of indefinite length, coated with shear transmitting medium and extending into the central apertures of the gripping elements, is drawn along the common length of travel by means of shear forces generated in said coating by said gripping elements and transmitted to said rod as viscous drag force along the surface of the rod. Axial and normal stresses are built up in the rod to stress the rod far above its yield strength and increase its ductility, or capacity for deformation without fracture. In this state, the rod is moved through and deformed by the die. A pressure cylinder surrounds the gripping elements along the common length of travel and provides balanced increasing lateral support to the gripping elements as they move toward the die.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. Method of continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising: a. continuously moving a train of gripping elements around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said train around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency;   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece .Iadd.against said deforming agency .Iaddend.by means of said motive force .[.against said deforming agency.]. to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       2. Method .[.as in claim 1, further comprising: d. during the performance of step (b),.]. .Iadd.for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving a train of gripping elements around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said train around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency; while simultaneously   c. .Iaddend.cumulating same motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend.stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming .[.agency.]. .Iadd.agency; and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       3. Method .[.as in claim 1, further comprising: d. simultaneously with step (b),.]. .Iadd.for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving a train of gripping elements around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said train around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency; while simultaneously   c. .Iaddend.continuously applying pressure on those surfaces of said gripping elements remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency whereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece .[.material..]. .Iadd.material; and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       4. Method as in claim 2, further comprising: e. simultaneously with steps (b) and .[.(d).]. .Iadd.(c).Iaddend., continuously applying a pressure gradient on those surfaces of said gripping elements remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency, said pressure gradient increasing said first station toward said deforming agency, whereby to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude suchc that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       5. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising: a. continuously advancing an endless chamber from a first station upstream of a deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said endless chamber in continuous operative engagement with the entire perimeter of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force along said entire perimeter in the direction of said deforming agency,   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece .Iadd.against said deforming agency .Iaddend.by means of said motive force .[.against said deforming agency.]. to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       6. Method as .[.in claim 5, further comprising: d. during the performance of step (b),.]. .Iadd.for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously advancing an endless chamber from a first station upstream of a deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said endless chamber in continuous operative engagement with the entire perimeter of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency thereby to continously apply motive force along said entire perimeter in the direction of said deforming agency, while simultaneously   c. .Iaddend.cumulating said motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend. stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming .[.agency..]. .Iadd.agency; and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       7. Method .[.as in claim 5, further comprising: d. simultaneously with step (b),.]. .Iadd.for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously advancing an endless chamber from a first station upstream of a deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said endless chamber in continuous operative engagement with the entire perimeter of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force along said entire perimeter in the direction of said deforming agency, while simultaneously   c. .Iaddend.continuously applying external pressure on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber from said first station to said deforming agency, said external pressure having sufficient magnitude to maintain normal stress in the elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece .[.material..]. .Iadd.material; and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       8. Method as in claim 6, further comprising: e. simultaneously with steps (b) and (c), continuously applying an external pressure gradient between said first station and said deforming agency on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, said external pressure gradient maintaining a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       9. Method as in claim 5, further comprising: d. performing step (a) by: i. providing a plurality of trains of gripping elements;   ii. continuously moving each of said plurality of trains of gripping elements around an endless path, whereby to provide a plurality of endless paths of gripping elements, said first station and said second station and the span therebetween being common to all of said plurality of endless paths;   iii. cooperatively associating gripping elements in each of said plurality of trains at said first station to form said endless chamber and continuing said cooperation as said plurality of trains moves along said span toward said second station.     
     
     
       10. Method as in claim 5, further comprising: d. performing step (a) by: i. providing a plurality of trains of gripping elements;   ii. continuously moving each of said plurality of trains of gripping elements around an endless path, whereby to provide a plurality of endless paths of gripping elements, said first station and said second station and the span therebetween being common to all of said plurality of endless paths;   iii. cooperatively associating gripping elements in each of said plurality of trains at said first station to form said endless chamber and continuing said cooperation as said plurality of trains moves along said span toward said second station;   iv. discontinuing the said cooperation of said gripping elements at said second station.     
     
     
       11. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece to produce an elongated product, said method comprising: a. applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece,   b. continuously applying motive force in the direction of a deforming agency along that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency;   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece by means of said drag force against said deforming agency to produce an elongated product.   
     
     
       12. Method as in claim 11, wherein: d. said coating of shear transmitting medium is applied to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece.   
     
     
       13. Method as in claim 12, wherein: e. said motive force is applied around the entire perimeter of the surface of said shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       14. Method as in claim 11, wherein: d. said motive force is applied to said surface of said shear transmitting medium from a first station upstream of said deforming agency,   e. said coating of shear transmitting medium is continuously applied around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a second station upstream of said first station as said elongated workpiece moves past said second station toward said first station.   
     
     
       15. Method as in claim 14, wherein: f. said motive force is applied around the entire perimeter of the surface of said shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       16. Method as in claim 11, wherein: d. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       17. Method as in claim 16, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       18. Method as in claim 16, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       19. Method as in claim 11, wherein: d. said motive force is applied to said surface of said shear transmitting medium from a station upstream of said deforming agency toward said deforming agency; said method further comprising:   e. simultaneously with step (b), continuously applying pressure on that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said station and said deforming agency, thereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that at any point between the entrance to said deforming agency and said station the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       20. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece to produce an elongated product, said method comprising: a. applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   b. continuously applying motive force in the direction of a deforming agency from a station upstream of said deforming agency along that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece and cumulating said motive force from said station toward said deforming agency, thereby to exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said drag force increasing in magnitude from said station toward said deforming agency, and producing .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend. stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said station toward said deforming agency;   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece by means of said drag force against said deforming agency to produce an elongated product.   
     
     
       21. Method as in claim 20, wherein: d. said coating of shear transmitting medium is applied to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece.   
     
     
       22. Method as in claim 21, wherein: e. said motive force is applied around the entire perimeter of the surface of said shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       23. Method as in claim 20, wherein: d. said coating of shear transmitting medium is continuously applied around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a second station upstream of said first mentioned station as said elongated workpiece moves past said second station toward said first mentioned station.   
     
     
       24. Method as in claim 23, wherein: e. said motive force is applied around the entire perimeter of the surface of said shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       25. Method as in claim 20, wherein: d. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       26. Method as in claim 25, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       27. Method as in claim 25, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       28. Method as in claim 20, further comprising: d. simultaneously with step (b), continuously applying pressure between said first mentioned station and said deforming agency on that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, said pressure increasing in magnitude from said first mentioned station toward said deforming agency, thereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece increasing in magnitude from said first mentioned station toward said deforming agency, the difference in magnitude between said axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece at any point upstream of the entrance to said deforming agency not exceeding the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       29. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising: a. applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   b. continuously advancing from a first station upstream of a deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency an endless chamber encircling and in contact with that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to apply motive force in the direction of said deforming agency along said surface of said coating and cumulating said force from said first station toward said deforming agency, whereby to exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said drag force increasing in magnitude from said first station toward said deforming agency and producing .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend. stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency;   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece by means of said drag force against said deforming agency to produce an elongated product.   
     
     
       30. Method as in claim 29, wherein: d. said coating of shear transmitting medium is continuously applied around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a third station upstream of said first station as said elongated workpiece moves past said third station toward said first station.   
     
     
       31. Method as in claim 29, wherein: d. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       32. Method as in claim 31, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       33. Method as in claim 31, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       34. Method as in claim 29, further comprising: d. continuously applying external pressure on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber from said first station to said deforming agency, said external pressure having sufficient magnitude to maintain normal stress in the elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       35. Method as in claim 29, further comprising: d. continuously applying an external pressure gradient between said first station and said deforming agency on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, said external pressure gradient maintaining a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       36. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency;   b. a train of gripping elements;   c. first means providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said train of gripping elements around said endless path, the direction of travel of said train of gripping elements being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for .Iadd.continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for .Iaddend.placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming .[.agency and continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product..]. .Iadd.agency. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       37. Apparatus .[.as in claim 36, wherein: f. said apparatus is adapted to cumulate.]. .Iadd.for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. a train of gripping elements;   c. frist means providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said train of gripping elements around said endless path, the direction of travel of said train of gripping elements being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for cumulating .Iaddend.motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend. stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency.   
     
     
       38. .[.Apparatus as in claim 36, wherein: f. said third means is adapted to continuously apply.]. .Iadd.Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. a train of gripping elements;   c. first means providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said train of gripping elements around said endless path, the direction of travel of said train of gripping elements being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for continuously applying .Iaddend.pressure on those surfaces of said gripping elements remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency whereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       39. .[.Apparatus as in claim 36, wherein: f. said third means is adapted to continuously apply.]. .Iadd.Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. a train of gripping elements;   c. first means providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said train of gripping elements around said endless path, the direction of travel of said train of gripping elements being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving train of gripping elements between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for continuously applying .Iaddend.a pressure gradient on those surface of said gripping elements remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency, said pressure gradient increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, whereby to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       40. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency;   b. a plurality of trains of gripping elements;   c. a plurality of first means, each of said first means being operatively associated with one train of gripping elements and providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements;   d. a plurality of second means, each of said second means being operatively associated with one train of gripping elements and being adapted to continuously move said train of gripping elements around its respective endless path past a first station upstream of said deforming agency toward a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the first and second stations and the span therebetween being common to all of said plurality of endless paths;   e. the gripping elements in each of said pluarlity of moving trains of gripping elements being .[.adapted.]. .Iadd.configured .Iaddend.to cooperate with each other to form an endless centrally apertured chamber extending between and moving from said first station to said second station;   f. the moving endless chamber receiving the elongated workpiece in the central aperture thereof and being .[.adapted to.]. .Iadd.configured to continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency and produce elongated product by .Iaddend.continuously .[.operative engage.]. .Iadd.operatively engaging .Iaddend. the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of the elongated workpiece .[.thereby.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.to continuously .[.apply.]. .Iadd.applying .Iaddend.motive force along the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of the elongated workpiece in the direction of the deforming .[.agency, whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency and produce elongated product..]. .Iadd.agency. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       41. Apparatus as in claim 40, wherein g. the moving endless chamber is .[.adapted.]. .Iadd.configured .Iaddend.to cumulate motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce .[.an axial.]. .Iadd.a compressive .Iaddend. stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency.   
     
     
       42. Apparatus as in claim 40, further comprising: g. third means .[.adapted to.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.continuously .[.apply.]. .Iadd.applying .Iaddend.external pressure on and around the entire perimeter of the endless chamber from said first station to said deforming agency whereby to maintain normal stress in the elongated workpiece between the first station and the deforming agency of magnitude such that at any point between the entrance to said deforming agency and said first station the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       43. Apparatus as in claim 41, further comprising: h. third means .[.adapted to.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.continuously .[.apply.]. .Iadd.applying .Iaddend.an external pressure gradient on and around the entire perimeter of the endless chamber from said first station to said deforming agency, said pressure gradient increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency of magnitude such that at any point between the entrance to said deforming agency and said first station the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       44. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece to produce an elongated product, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency;   b. first means for applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   c. second means between said deforming agency and said first means for continuously applying motive force in the direction of said deforming agency along that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency and continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       45. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein: d. said first means is adapted to apply said coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece.   
     
     
       46. Apparatus as in claim 45, wherein: e. said second means is adapted to apply motive force around the entire perimeter of said coating of shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       47. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein: d. said first means is adapted to continuously apply said coating of shear transmitting medium around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of the elongated workpiece as the elongated workpiece moves past said first means toward said second means.   
     
     
       48. Apparatus as in claim 47, wherein: e. said second means is adapted to apply motive force around the entire perimeter of said coating of shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       49. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein: d. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       50. Apparatus as in claim 49, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       51. Apparatus as in claim 49, wherein: e. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       52. Apparatus as in claim 44, further comprising: d. third means to continuously apply pressure on that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said deforming agency and said first means to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that at any point between the entrance to said deforming agency and said first means the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       53. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece to produce an elongated product, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency;   b. first means for applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   c. second means between said deforming agency and said first means for continuously applying motive force in the direction of said deforming agency from a first station upstream of said deforming agency to said deforming agency along that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, said second means being adapted to cumulate said motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency thereby to exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency which drag force increases from said first station toward said deforming agency, and thus to advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       54. Apparatus as in claim 53, wherein: d. said first means is adapted to apply said coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece.   
     
     
       55. Apparatus as in claim 54, wherein: e. said second means is adapted to apply motive force around the entire perimeter of said coating of shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       56. Apparatus as in claim 53, wherein: d. said first means is adapted to continuously apply said coating of shear transmitting medium around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of the elongated workpiece as the elongated workpiece moves past said first means toward said second means.   
     
     
       57. Apparatus as in claim 56, wherein: e. said second means is adapted to apply motive force around the entire perimeter of said coating of shear transmitting medium.   
     
     
       58. Apparatus as in claim 53, wherein: d. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       59. Apparatus as in claim 58, wherein: d. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       60. Apparatus as in claim 58, wherein: d. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       61. Apparatus as in claim 53, further comprising: d. third means to continuously apply a pressure gradient on that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency and increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       62. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency;   b. first means for applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   c. an endless chamber between said deforming agency and said first means, said endless chamber being adapted to encircle and contact that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece;   d. second means to continuously advance said endless chamber from a first station upstream of said deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force in the direction of said deforming agency along said surface of said coating and thereby exert drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency and continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       63. Apparatus as in claim 62, wherein: e. said first means is adapted to continuously apply said coating of shear transmitting medium around the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a third station upstream of said first station as said elongated workpiece moves past said third station toward said first station.   
     
     
       64. Apparatus as in claim 62, wherein: e. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       65. Apparatus as in claim 64, wherein: f. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       66. Apparatus as in claim 64, wherein: f. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax.   
     
     
       67. Apparatus as in claim 62, further comprising: e. third means to continuously apply external pressure on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber from said first station to said deforming agency sufficient to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       68. Apparatus as in claim 62, further comprising: e. third means to continuously apply an external pressure gradient on and around the entire perimeter of said endless chamber increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, said external pressure gradient maintaining a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material.   
     
     
       69. Apparatus as in claim 62, wherein: e. said endless chamber comprises: i. a plurality of trains of gripping elements,   ii. a plurality of third means, each of said third means being operatively associated with one of said trains of gripping elements and providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements,   iii. said first station and second station and the span therebetween being common to all of said plurality of endless paths,   iv. gripping elements from all of said trains being adapted to cooperate to form said endless chamber at said first station and being further adapted to continue such cooperation along said span.     
     
     
       70. Apparatus as in claim 62, wherein: e. said endless chamber comprises: i. a plurality of trains of gripping elements,   ii. a plurality of third means, each of said third means being operatively associated with one of said trains of gripping elements and providing an endless path for said train of gripping elements,   iii. said first station and second station and the span therebetween being common to all of said plurality of endless paths,   iv. said gripping elements being further adapted to discontinue such cooperation at said second station.     
     
     
       71. Apparatus as in claim 62, wherein: g. said endless chamber is adapted to slidably sealingly engage the external surface of said deforming agency in moving from said first relation to said second station.   
     
     
       72. Apparatus as in claim 67, wherein: f. said third means comprises: i. a cylinder having a central aperture receiving said endless chamber,   ii. fourth means to maintain fluid pressure in said central aperture between said cylinder and the external surface of said endless chamber.     
     
     
       73. Apparatus as in claim 68, wherein: f. said third means comprises: i. a cylinder having a central aperture receiving said endless chamber,   ii. spaced sealing means interposed between said cylinder and the external surface of said endless chamber along said central aperture and dividing said central aperture into a plurality of pressure chambers,   iii. fourth means to introduce pressurized fluid into that endmost pressure chamber adjacent said deforming agency,   iv. a plurality of pressure reducing valves, each pressure reducing valve being operatively interposed between adjacent pressure chambers, the pressure reducing valves being arranged to provide decreasing fluid pressure in the plurality of pressure chambers toward the upstream end of said cylinder.     
     
     
       74. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising: continuously moving from a first station upstream of a deforming agency around said deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency a train of gripping elements encircling said elongated workpiece and in operative engagement with the entire perimeter of said elongated workpiece from said first station to said deforming agency, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the said perimeter of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       75. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising: a. applying a coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a first station upstream of a deforming agency;   b. continuously moving from a second station between said deforming agency and said first station around and slidably sealingly engaging the perimeter of said deforming agency to a third station downstream of said deforming agency a train of gripping elements encircling said elongated workpiece and in operative engagement with the entire perimeter of that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece from said second station to said deforming agency thereby to apply motive force to said surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium and drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece from said second station to said deforming agency;   c. whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece and said coating of shear transmitting medium through said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       76. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency,   b. a train of gripping elements adapted to encircle said elongated workpiece and further adapted to operatively engage the entire perimeter of said elongated workpiece from a first station upstream of said deforming agency to said deforming agency,   c. means .[.to continuously move.]. .Iadd.for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product by continuously moving .Iaddend.said train of gripping elements from said first station around said deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming .[.agency,   d. thereby.]. .Iadd.agency so as .Iaddend.to continuously apply motive force along the said perimeter of said elongated workpiece in .[.the direction of said deforming agency whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product..]. .Iadd.the direction of said deforming agency. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       77. Apparatus as in claim 76, wherein: d. said train of gripping elements is endless.   
     
     
       78. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising: a. a deforming agency,   b. first means adapted to apply a coating of shear transmitting medium to the entire perimeter of the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece at a first station upstream of said deforming agency,   c. a train of gripping elements adapted to encircle said elongated workpiece and adapted to operatively engage the entire perimeter of that surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece from a second station between said deforming agency and said first station to said deforming agency, said train of gripping elements being further adapted to slidably sealingly engage the perimeter of said deforming agency,   d. second means to continuously move said train of gripping elements from said second station past said deforming agency in sliding sealing engagement with the perimeter thereof to a third station downstream of said deforming agency,   e. thereby to apply motive force to said surface of said coating of shear transmitting medium and drag force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece from said second station to said deforming agency,   f. whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece and said coating of shear transmitting medium through said deforming agency to produce elongated product.   
     
     
       79. Apparatus as in claim 78, wherein: g. said train of gripping elements is endless.   
     
     
       80. Apparatus as in claim 78, wherein: g. said shear transmitting medium is a viscous fluid.   
     
     
       81. Apparatus as in claim 80, wherein: h. said viscous fluid is beeswax.   
     
     
       82. Apparatus as in claim 80, wherein: h. said viscous fluid is polyethylene wax. .Iadd. 83. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving a motive means around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said motive means around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. continuously placing successive portions of said motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency;   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend..Iadd. 84. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving a motive means around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said motive means around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. continuously placing successive portions of said motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency; while simultaneously   c. cumulating said motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce a compressive stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 85. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving a motive means around an endless path, said path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency, the direction of travel of said motive means around said endless path being from said first station toward said second station;   b. continuously placing successive portions of said motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency; while simultaneously   c. continuously applying pressure on that surface of said motive means remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency whereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency be means of said motive force to produce elongated product. .Iaddend..Iadd. 86. Method as in claim 84, further comprising:   e. simultaneously with steps (b) and (c), continuously applying pressure on that surface of said motive means remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency, whereby to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 87. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving an endless surface around an endless path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency in such manner that successive portions of said endless surface between said first station and said deforming agency provide a chamber continuously advancing from said first station toward said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said chamber in continuous operative engagement with the surface of said elongated workpiece from said first station to said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force along said surface in the direction of said deforming agency,   c. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency by means of said motive force against said deforming agency to produce elongated product. .Iaddend..Iadd. 88. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving an endless surface around an endless path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency in such manner that successive portions of said endless surface between said first station and said deforming agency provide a chamber continuously advancing from said first station toward said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said chamber in continuous operative engagement with the surface of said elongated workpiece from said first station to said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force along said surface in the direction of said deforming agency, while simultaneously   c. cumulating said motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce a compressive stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece by means of said motive force against said deforming agency to produce elongated product. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 89. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   a. continuously moving an endless surface around an endless path including a first station upstream of a deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency in such manner that successive portions of said endless surface between said first station and said deforming agency provide a chamber continuously advancing from said first station toward said deforming agency,   b. placing the interior of said chamber in continuous operative engagement with the surface of said elongated workpiece from said first station to said deforming agency thereby to continuously apply motive force along said surface in the direction of said deforming agency, while simultaneously   c. continuously applying external pressure on the perimeter of said chamber from said first station to said deforming agency, said external pressure having sufficient magnitude to maintain normal stress in the elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material and   d. continuously advancing said elongated workpiece by means of said motive force against said deforming agency to produce elongated product. .Iaddend..Iadd. 90. Method as in claim 88, further comprising:   d. simultaneously with steps (b) and (c), continuously applying an external pressure gradient between said first station and said deforming agency on the perimeter of said chamber increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, said external pressure gradient maintaining a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in the elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 91. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. motive means;   c. first means providing an endless path for said motive means, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said motive means around said endless path, the direction of travel of said motive means being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency. .Iaddend..Iadd. 92. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. motive means;   c. first means providing an endless path for said motive means, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said motive means around said endless path, the direction of travel of said motive means being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for cumulating motive force from said first station toward said deforming agency whereby to produce a compressive stress gradient within said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 93. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency;   b. motive means;   c. first means providing an endless path for said motive means, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said motive means around said endless path, the direction of travel of said motive means being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for continuously applying pressure on that surface of said motive means remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency whereby to maintain normal stress in said elongated workpiece of magnitude such that the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material. .Iaddend..Iadd. 94. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a deforming agency;   b. motive means;   c. first means providing an endless path for said motive means, said path including a first station upstream of said deforming agency and a second station downstream of said deforming agency;   d. second means for continuously moving said motive means around said endless path, the direction of travel of said motive means being from said first station toward said second station;   e. third means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said third means comprising means for placing said moving motive means between said first station and said deforming agency in continuous operative engagement with the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency, said third means further comprising means for continuously applying a pressure gradient on that surface of said motive means remote from the elongated surface of said elongated workpiece between said first station and said deforming agency, said pressure gradient increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency, whereby to maintain a normal stress gradient in said elongated workpiece increasing from said first station toward said deforming agency and of magnitude such that at any point between said first station and the entrance to said deforming agency the difference between axial stress and normal stress in said elongated workpiece does not exceed the yield strength of the workpiece material. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 95. Method for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said method comprising:   continuously moving from a first station upstream of a deforming agency around said deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency motive means in operative engagement with the surface of said elongated workpiece from said first station to said deforming agency, thereby to continuously apply motive force along the said surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency whereby to continuously advance said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product. .Iaddend..Iadd. 96. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, said apparatus comprising:   a. a deforming agency,   b. motive means for operatively engaging the surface of said elongated workpiece from a first station upstream of said deforming agency to said deforming agency,   c. means for continuously advancing said elongated workpiece against said deforming agency to produce elongated product, said means comprising means for continuously moving said motive means from said first station around said deforming agency to a second station downstream of said deforming agency so as to continuously apply motive force along the said surface of said elongated workpiece in the direction of said deforming agency. .Iaddend..Iadd. 97. Apparatus as in claim 96, wherein:   d. said motive means is endless. .Iaddend.