Method and apparatus for the welding of pipes
AssigneeSaipem S.P.A.
InventorRenato Bonelli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two pipes are arranged end to end, the pipes being shaped such that a groove is defined between the ends of the pipe. A plurality of welding torches are used to weld in the groove, such that at least some of the welding torches perform a first welding pass, the welding characteristics of the torches are adjusted and at least some of the welding torches are used to perform a second welding pass. At least one torch welds in a first sector in the first welding pass and a second sector in the second welding pass, the second sector being different to the first. The sectors might overlap or might not overlap.
Claims29
A method of welding two pipes together comprising the steps of:
- arranging two pipes end to end, the pipes being so shaped that a circumferentially extending groove is defined between the ends of the pipes,
- providing a plurality of welding torches for welding in the groove,
- using at least some of the plurality of welding torches to perform a first welding pass,
- adjusting the welding characteristics of the plurality of welding torches, and
- using at least some of the plurality of welding torches to perform a second welding pass, wherein
- at least one torch welds in a first sector in the first welding pass and a second sector in a second welding pass, the second sector being different from the first.
An apparatus for welding together two pipes, the pipes being so shaped that a circumferentially extending groove is defined between the ends of the pipes when they are arranged end to end,
- comprising a support structure arranged to be positioned around a groove, the support structure including a circumferential rail to be positioned in approximate alignment with the groove,
- a plurality of welding torches mounted on the circumferential rail, and
- a control unit for controlling the welding torches, the control unit being arranged to cause at least some of the plurality of welding torches to perform a respective first welding pass of sectors of the groove, to adjust the welding characteristics of the plurality of welding torches, to cause at least some of the plurality of welding torches to perform a second respective welding pass, wherein the control unit is configured to cause at least one welding torch to weld in a first sector in the first welding pass and a second sector in the second welding pass, the second sector being different from the first.
A method of welding two pipes together comprising the steps of:
- arranging two pipes end to end, the pipes being so shaped that a circumferentially extending groove is defined between the ends of the pipes,
- making a first welding pass of the groove with a first welding torch to create a first weld layer in a first circumferential portion of the groove, welding torch to create a second weld layer on a second circumferential portion of the groove such that the second welding pass is not started until the first welding pass is complete,
- wherein the first and second circumferential portions at least partially overlap.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.