# US 10,500,665 B2 · Orbital welder with integrated track and gear drive

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- Number: US 10,500,665 B2
- Document ID: US10500665B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/451,244
- Filed: 2017-03-06
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04
- Assignees: Bhi Energy I Specialty Services LLC
- Applicants: Shane Cash
- Inventors: Shane Cash
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500665B2

## CPC

- B23K 9/0286: {with an electrode moving around the fixed tube during the welding operation}
- B23K 9/16: making use of shielding gas
- B23K 37/0217: {the guide member being fixed to the workpiece}
- B23K 37/0282: {Carriages forming part of a welding unit}
- B23K 2101/06: Tubes
- B23K 2101/10: Pipe-lines
- B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

## Abstract

An orbital welding device for forming a circumferential weld bead to engage adjoining segments of pipe is provided. The device features an annular track ring having an opening for engagement around the pipe. A travel carriage rotationally engaged with the annular track ring has a first motor for rotating the travel carriage and an engaged welding head around the pipe for forming a weld thereon. A second motor is provided to adjust a distance of the welding head from the pipe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An orbital welding apparatus for forming a weld bead to engage adjoining segments of pipe, comprising:
an annular track ring having an opening defined by an interior circumference and having an exterior circumference, said opening adapted for engagement with an exterior circumference of a said pipe;
said track ring having a circular recess formed therein on a side surface;
a travel carriage slidably engaged within said recess;
a first motor engaged to said travel carriage, said first motor having a first axle engaged with a first gear;
said first gear engaged with a gear track positioned in communication with said recess;
rotation of said first motor imparting a translation of said travel carriage within said recess;
a second motor engaged with said travel carriage, said second motor rotating a second axle;
an arm having a first end engaged with said second axle;
said arm having a second end engaged with a welding head; and
whereby said welding head is positionable around an exterior circumference of said pipe to position a weld thereon by said translation of said carriage within said recess, and a distance of said welding head from said exterior circumference along a first axis, is adjustable by rotation of said second motor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opening is adapted for engagement with an exterior circumference of a said pipe by a plurality of adjustably translatable members extending away from said interior circumference.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising:
said annular track ring being formed of two track ring segments;
a pivot engaging respective first ends of each of said two track ring segments; and
a lock engageable between respective second ends of said track ring segments.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:
said annular track ring being formed of two track ring segments;
a pivot engaging respective first ends of each of said two track ring segments; and
a lock engageable between respective second ends of said track ring segments.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising:
said arm formed of a first portion of said arm extending from said second axle to a first portion of a secondary mount and a second portion of said arm extending from said welding head to a second portion of said secondary mount which is in sliding engagement with said first portion of said secondary mount;
a third motor engaged to translate said sliding portion of said secondary mount, whereby said welding head is translatable along a second axis, normal to said first axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:
said arm formed of a first portion of said arm extending from said second axle to a first portion of a secondary mount and a second portion of said arm extending from said welding head to a second portion of said secondary mount which is in sliding engagement with said first portion of said secondary mount;
a third motor engaged to translate said sliding portion of said secondary mount, whereby said welding head is translatable along a second axis, normal to said first axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:
said arm formed of a first portion of said arm extending from said second axle to a first portion of a secondary mount and a second portion of said arm extending from said welding head to a second portion of said secondary mount which is in sliding engagement with said first portion of said secondary mount;
a third motor engaged to translate said sliding portion of said secondary mount, whereby said welding head is translatable along a second axis, normal to said first axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The orbital welding apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:
said arm formed of a first portion of said arm extending from said second axle to a first portion of a secondary mount and a second portion of said arm extending from said welding head to a second portion of said secondary mount which is in sliding engagement with said first portion of said secondary mount;
a third motor engaged to translate said sliding portion of said secondary mount, whereby said welding head is translatable along a second axis, normal to said first axis.