Method and apparatus for aligning and cutting pipe
AssigneeLaser Alignment Systems
InventorDennis Dameron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aligning and cutting pipes to extract and install piping in industrial plants is characterized by the use of lasers on a ring for aligning the cutting tool. By adjusting the ring so that beams from the lasers strike specified targets at a remote location corresponding with a pipe end, a cutting location is defined so that the trimmed end of a first pipe will properly align with a remote pipe. When the pipes welded together, their ends will match, thereby minimizing stress in the pipe. A cutting tool can be provided directly on the ring so that the pipe can be cut without removing the ring.
Claims22
Apparatus for aligning and cutting a cylindrical pipe having a longitudinal axis, comprising
- (a) a first frame adjustably mounted on the pipe;
- (b) laser means connected with said frame for generating a linear laser beam;
- (c) means for adjusting said frame on the pipe to direct said laser beam on a fixed remote target corresponding with the configuration of an end surface of a second pipe to be connected with the pipe;
- and
- (d) a cutting tool connected with said frame, said cutting tool being movable around the circumference of the pipe to cut the pipe in a configuration to mate with the end surface of the second pipe corresponding with the remote target.
A method for defining a cutting line for the end face of a cylindrical pipe having a longitudinal axis, comprising the steps of
- (a) mounting a ring on the pipe about the circumference thereof
- (b) generating a linear laser beam from the ring;
- and
- (c) adjusting the ring to a fixed position relative to the pipe to direct the laser beam onto a first fixed remote target corresponding with the configuration of an end surface of a second pipe to be connected with the pipe, whereby when the ring is adjusted to the fixed position, the ring defines a cutting location so that after cutting, the cut end surface of the pipe will accurately mate with the end surface of the second pipe.
A method for defining a cutting line for the end face of a cylindrical first pipe adjacent to an elbow portion thereof, comprising the steps of
- (a) mounting a ring on the first pipe about the circumference thereof and before the elbow portion;
- (b) establishing a pair of first reference points spaced 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of a second pipe to a remote location beyond the elbow portion of the first pipe;
- (c) establishing a pair of second reference points on the ring and spaced 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first pipe;
- and
- (d) adjusting the ring to a fixed position so that the pair of second reference points are oriented in a configuration corresponding to the pair of first reference points to define a cutting location so that after cutting, the cut end surface of the first pipe will be in 90° alignment with the end surface of the second pipe.
A method for aligning and cutting a cylindrical pipe adjacent to an elbow portion thereof, comprising the steps of
- (a) mounting a frame on a first portion of the pipe about the circumference thereof
- (b) generating a first linear laser beam from the frame in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the first pipe at a location to be cut to a first point spaced from a second pipe by a distance corresponding to an inner bend of the elbow;
- (c) measuring a second distance along said first beam from a center of said pipe first portion to said first point;
- (d) measuring a third distance from said first point to a center of said second pipe;
- (e) directing second and third laser beams from the frame at second and third points 90° offset from the first beam to corresponding second and third points on opposite sides of the second pipe;
- (f) re-directing said first laser beam to strike a bottom portion of the second pipe;
- (g) adjusting the frame so that the square of a fourth distance along said first beam between said second pipe and said frame is equal to the sum of the square of the second and third distances;
- and
- (h) cutting the pipe with a cutting tool mounted on the frame for rotation about the circumference of the pipe, whereby the end surface of the pipe first portion is cut to a configuration to match an end surface of the second pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.