US 5,853,655 A · Magnetic wheel guided carriage with positioning arm

Abstract

A remote controlled welding and cutting carriage, with an automated positioning arm, to facilitate welding and cutting of flat and curved surfaces including plate and pipe without the use of track, band or similar carriage positioning or guidance mechanisms. Multiple motor driven precision ground magnetic wheel sets align and propel the carriage across a surface. Precision maintenance of magnetic wheel position is facilitated by use of spring steel axles which resist distortion from impacts. A separate magnetic wheel set alignment adjustment is provided to correct magnetic wheel set positioning. The system of motor driven magnetic wheel sets permits the carriage, or carriages, to transport cutting and welding materials required for welding and cutting around the complete circumference of a pipe or other surface regardless of orientation or slope. One or a plurality of motor driven torch positioning arms with photo sensors will track patterns delineated, for example, with a reflective tape or guidance line for additional accuracy in the positioning of the torch or welding head. The torch positioning arm may additionally be positioned, for simple as well as complex patterns, by computer and computer program guidance. Multiple welding heads or cutting torches may be positioned via the manual or automated positioning arm and carriage. A variety of transmission devices including chain and gear, worm gears, and reduction gears are powered by a power source including electrical motors, including variable speed electrical motors, to rotate the magnetic wheel sets. Travel speed of the carriage may be varied.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A magnetic wheel guided carriage with positioning arm comprising:

A. a carriage;
a magnetic wheel system affixed to the carriage by mounting means;
the magnetic wheel system having magnetic wheel means oriented to rotate approximately in the same or parallel planes;
each magnetic wheel means generally in contact with a surface upon which the invention is to travel;
B. drive power and transmission means for the magnetic wheel system affixed by mounting means to the carriage and interrelated to the magnetic wheel system to rotate the magnetic wheel means;
the magnetic wheel system to propel the carriage along a direction of a carriage travel;
C. a positioning arm affixed to the carriage by mounting means and having an arm;
the arm having an arm longitudinal axis generally orthogonal to the direction of carriage travel;
one or a plurality of bracket means disposed on the arm;
remote control means for control of the magnetic wheel system;
cutting and/or welding supply means disposed on the carriage.

8 more elements

A magnetic wheel guided carriage with positioning arm comprising:

A. a carriage;
a magnetic wheel system affixed to the carriage by mounting means;
the magnetic wheel system having magnetic wheel means oriented to rotate approximately in the same or parallel planes;
each magnetic wheel means generally in contact with a surface upon which the invention is to travel;
B. drive power and transmission means for the magnetic wheel system affixed by mounting means to the carriage and interrelated to the magnetic wheel system to rotate the magnetic wheel means;
the magnetic wheel system to propel the carriage along a direction of carriage travel;
C. a positioning arm affixed to the carriage by mounting means having an arm;
the arm having an arm longitudinal axis generally orthogonal to the direction of carriage travel;
arm drive power and transmission means affixed to the carriage and interrelated to the arm for arm extension and retraction;
one or a plurality of bracket means disposed on the arm;
remote control means for control of the magnetic wheel system and positioning arm;
cutting and/or welding supply means disposed on the carriage.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic wheel guided carriage with positioning arm

Life of this patent

Magnetic wheel guided carriage with positioning arm

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22