Tank welding fixture
AssigneeLincoln Global, Inc.
InventorsJohnny W. Beatty, Travis G. Whitworth, Michael Whan, Brian Simons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A welding fixture and method allow for both coarse and fine adjustments of headstocks and tailstocks for securing a tank or other cylindrical-like object within a welding fixture. Coarse adjustment is provided by adjusting the headstock and/or tailstock linearly along a rail system. Find adjustment is provided by linearly adjusting a movable table on which the headstock and/or tailstock rest. The headstock and tailstock may also have compression clamping members for securing the tank to the headstock and tailstock. Pipe stands are also provided for supporting the tank before, during, and after the welding process.
Claims14
A welding fixture comprising:
- a headstock attached to a first support, the headstock comprising a first compression clamping member;
- a tailstock attached to a second support, the tailstock comprising a second compression clamping member;
- a movable table driven for horizontal linear movement by a linear actuator, the movable table comprising a dovetail slide being attached between the headstock and the first support or between the tailstock and the second support;
- and
- a rail system, wherein both of the first support and the second support are movable along the rail system and can be locked at fixed positions along the rail system, and
- wherein a position of the headstock relative to the first support or a position of the tailstock relative to the second support is adjustable by the linear actuator horizontally moving said table, to cause at least one of the first compression clamping member and the second compression clamping member to contact and secure an object to be welded.
A welding fixture comprising:
- a headstock attached to a first support, the headstock comprising a first compression clamping member;
- a tailstock attached to a second support, the tailstock comprising a second compression clamping member;
- a linear actuator;
- and
- a rail system extending along an axis having at least one trolley member,
- wherein the first support and/or second support are attached to the at least one trolley member, the trolley member being movable along the rail system and lockable at fixed positions along the rail system,
- wherein a position of the headstock relative to the first support or a position of the tailstock relative to the second support is adjustable by the linear actuator in a direction parallel to the axis to cause at least one of the first compression clamping member and the second compression clamping member to contact and secure an object to be welded, and
- wherein at least one of the first compression clamping member and second compression clamping member comprises a spring biased, L-shaped finger having a finger main body and a leg projecting generally perpendicularly from the finger main body, wherein the spring-biased, L-shaped finger is pivotally mounted within an elongated opening of a clamp base, the clamp base being attached to the headstock or tailstock, and the spring-biased, L-shaped finger is movable between a gripping position and a release position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.