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AssigneeArmco Inc.
InventorsGary L. Neiheisel, William W. Nagle, Robert J. Justice, Bradley R. Hoover
Estimating the term…
Apparatus and method for aligning a welding device along the center of a gap defined by confronting edges of at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between the welding device and the workpiece gap occurs along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the gap such that the proximal edges of the workpieces can be joined by forming a weld seam along the gap during the relative motion. The apparatus preferably includes an imaging system for determining the location of the gap center relative to a predetermined two dimensional coordinate system by monitoring an image of a vision area along the gap downstream of the welding zone. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging system is effectively isolated from the welding zone through use of a high magnification optics system, a shroud structure, an independent light source, and a vectored jet of inert gas supplied to the welding zone.
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a welding device along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between said welding device and said workpieces along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap permits joining of said confronting edges of said workpieces by said welding device by application of welding energy at a welding zone along said edges, said aligning apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a laser beam along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces, wherein relative motion between said laser beam and said workpieces occurs along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap to permit welding or cutting of said workpieces by said laser beam, said aligning apparatus comprising:
A method of automatically and continuously aligning a welding device along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between said welding device and said workpieces along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap permits joining of said confronting edges of said workpieces by said welding device, said method including the steps of:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a welding device along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between said welding device and said workpieces along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap permits joining of said confronting edges of said workpieces by said welding deice by application of welding energy at a welding zone along said edges, said aligning apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a welding device along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of a at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between said welding device and said workpieces along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap permits joining of said confronting edges of said workpieces by said welding device by application of welding energy at a welding zone along said edges, said aligning apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a laser beam long approximately the center of continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces, wherein relative motion between said laser beam and said workpieces occurs along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap to permit welding or cutting of said workpieces by said laser beam, said aligning apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a laser beam along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces, wherein relative motion between said laser beam and said workpieces occurs along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap to permit welding or cutting of said workpieces of said laser beam, said aligning apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a laser beam long approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces, wherein relative motion between said laser beam and said workpieces occurs along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap to permit welding or cutting of said workpieces by said laser beam, said aligning apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.