Automatic tracking system for pipeline welding
AssigneeMcDermott International, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Brennan, Clyde D. Noel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for automatically tracking a surface for performing a welding operation comprises a frame and pair of ring gears movably mounted to the frame. The ring gears are spaced apart from each other. Three weld heads are movably mounted to each ring gear. Each weld head has a welding torch for providing a weld and a laser scanning device for scanning a surface and for measuring distances over the surface. A control system communicates with the laser scanner for receiving the measured distances and for controlling the movement of the ring gears and the weld heads.
Claims8
A system for automatically tracking a surface for performing a welding, the system comprising:
- a. a frame;
- b. a pair of ring gears movably mounted to the frame, the ring gears being spaced apart from each other;
- c. three weld heads movably mounted to each ring gear, the weld heads having welding means for providing a weld and laser scanning means for scanning a surface and for measuring distances over the surface;
- and
- d. control means communicating with the laser scanning means for receiving the measured distances and for controlling the movement of the ring gears and the movement of the weld heads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.