Apparatus for cutting openings in pipes

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for torch cutting openings in pipes wherein the openings are dimensioned according to the size of other pipes to be connected by welding at the opening. The mechanism comprises a frame structure which is adapted to be secured in immovable relation to the pipe in which the opening is to be cut and wherein the frame structure supports locator means which establishes an axis of rotation relative to the pipe about which an opening is to be cut. The apparatus incorporates a pipe contour tracking mechanism which is efficiently adjusted for the size of the pipe opening to be cut and the size of the pipe in which the opening is to be cut. For each 360.degree. rotation of the cutting torch, the pipe contour tracking mechanism induces two-cycle linear oscillation of the torch, thus causing the cutting tip of the torch to be maintained in accurately spaced relation with the surface of the pipe as the torch is revolved 360.degree. about its axis of rotation during the hole cutting operation. The cutting torch is thus efficiently tracked relative to the pipe for optimum cutting without any guiding contact with the pipe itself.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.