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US 10,107,002 B1Granted
Automated girth fitter and shim remover
AssigneeNewCon, LLC
InventorJohn Newmeister
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of an automatic girth fitter system use a device or devices to automate the alignment of horizontal weld seams in both shop- and field-built tanks or vessels. The automated system device or devices may also be used to remove shims that are used to gap the horizontal weld seams and provide plate alignment prior to fitting or welding those seams.
Claims19
A girth weld fitter comprising:
- a plate alignment ram including a roller, the plate alignment ram connected toward a lower end of a vertical post that is configured for travel along a top edge of a row of tank plates;
- a roller located opposite the plate alignment ram;
- a shim remover ram connected toward the lower end of the vertical post and spaced apart in a horizontal direction from the plate alignment ram;
- and
- a shim extractor located at one end of the shim remover ram, the shim extractor including:
- a passageway to receive an end of the shim remover ram;
- and
- a slot in communication with the passageway and sized to receive a shim.
5 more elements
A girth weld fitter comprising:
- a shim remover ram connected toward a lower end of a vertical post that is configured for travel along a top edge of a row of tank plates;
- and
- a shim extractor located at one end of the shim remover ram, the shim extractor including:
- a passageway to receive an end of the shim remover ram;
- and
- a slot in communication with the passageway and sized to receive a shim.
3 more elements
A girth weld fitter comprising:
- a plate alignment ram including a roller, the plate alignment ram connected toward a lower end of a vertical post that is configured for travel along a top edge of a row of tank plates;
- a roller located opposite the plate alignment ram;
- a shim remover ram connected toward the lower end of the vertical post and spaced apart in a horizontal direction from the plate alignment ram;
- and
- a shim extractor located at one end of the shim remover ram, the shim extractor including:
- a passageway to receive an end of the shim remover ram;
- and
- a slot in communication with the passageway and sized to receive a shim, the slot being wider at a leading end than at a trailing end of the slot.
5 more elements
A girth weld fitter comprising:
- a shim extractor ram connected toward a lower end of a vertical post that is configured for travel along a top edge of a row of tank plates;
- and
- a shim extractor located at one end of the shim remover ram, the shim extractor including:
- a passageway to receive an end of the shim remover ram;
- and
- a slot in communication with the passageway and sized to receive a shim, the slot being wider at a leading end than at a trailing end of the slot.
3 more elements
A girth weld fitter comprising:
- a plate alignment ram including a roller connected toward a lower end of a vertical post that is configured for travel along a top edge of a row of tank plates;
- a roller located opposite the plate alignment ram;
- a shim remover ram connected toward the lower end of the vertical post and spaced apart in a horizontal direction from the plate alignment ram;
- and
- a shim extractor located at one end of the shim remover ram including a slot sized to receive a shim, the slot being wider at a leading end than at a trailing end of the slot;
- and
- a basket located opposite the shim remover ram.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.