US 4,356,615 A · Apparatus and methods for use in welding

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for use in aligning and welding in end-to-end relation a pair of members such as pipe sections or a cylindrical vessel and closure wall and wherein one of the members is subjected to a clamping force adjacent the end to be welded to produce a predetermined configuration at that end. The other member is supported with that end to be welded confronting the adjacent end of the first member. A clamping force then may be applied to the second member so as to conform its configuration to one corresponding to that of the end of the first member. While maintaining the two members clamped, their positions are adjusted relatively to one another to locate their adjacent ends in a predetermined manner, following which the two members are moved relatively in a direction toward one another to a welding position in which the welding operation may be completed.

Claims28

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use in welding a first member having a free end of generally cylindrical configuration to a second member having a free end of generally cylindrical configuration, said apparatus comprising first annular clamp means for encircling and clamping one of said members adjacent its free end;

second annular clamp means substantially coaxial with said first clamp means for encircling and clamping said second member adjacent its free end;
means mounting said first and second clamp means in axially spaced, substantially parallel relation such that the free ends of said members may lie adjacent and confront one another, said mounting means enabling relative axial, transverse, and rocking movements of said first and second clamp means;
operating means reacting between and with said first and second clamp means and operable to effect said rocking and axial movements;
and shifting means independent of said operating means and operable to effect said transverse movements of said first and second clamp means, said operating means and said shifting means being operable while said members are clamped by the respective clamp means.

1 more element

Apparatus for use in welding to one end of a generally cylindrical hollow body a closure having a wall terminating in a generally cylindrical rim having a free edge, said apparatus comprising first annular clamp means for clampingly encircling said body adjacent one end thereof;

second annular clamp means substantially coaxial with and parallel to but axially spaced from said first clamp means for encircling said rim with the free edge of the latter confronting said one end of said body;
means for mounting said first and second clamp means in spaced, substantially coaxial relationship;
force transmitting means;
means mounting said force transmitting means on one of said clamp means for movements into and out of a position radially inward of said one of said clamp means and in which position said force transmitting means is operable to engage and apply a force on said wall of said closure in a direction to move the latter toward said one end of said body;
and drive means connected to said force transmitting means for moving the latter to said position and for applying sufficient force on said force transmitting means when the latter is in said position to effect movement of said closure in said one direction.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for use in welding

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for use in welding

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28