Patent attributes
A spiral spline groove machine apparatus for manufacturing a sealed spiral spline pipe connection by machining spiral grooves into the bell and spigot end of a length of pipe. A rotating cutter is adapted to cut a spiral groove in the inside of the bell of the pipe or machine the recessed external groove on the male end of the pipe. The cutter is adapted to float on the surface contour of the pipe to allow for variations in the wall thickness of the pipe and provide a consistent depth for the cut in the wall of the pipe without regard to the symmetry of the circular cross section of the pipe. An exit port machining device is also disclose to cut an exit port connected to the inside spiral groove on the bell end of the pipe. Another unique aspect of the invention is the use of a rotational to linear converter using a lead screw to move an entire rotating assembly having the motor output fixed directly to the cutter without an expansion joint.
