Abstract: Pipe welding clamp apparatus, including a pair of clamp assemblies, one being of conventional design and the other being of a special design permitting access to the axial space between the clamp assemblies so that internal welding assemblies may be disposed partly within said axial space and partly at a location opposite said special clamp assembly from said axial space. Each welding assembly includes a relatively large welding electrode reel and an electrode feeder at said location, communicated with a torch assembly in said axial space through a flexible tube. Each torch assembly includes means for torch position adjustments angularly and radially, and includes novel means for oscillating the torch so that a wider root weld is formed which will bridge the welding gap between adjacent pipe ends in spite of torch position misalignment and in spite of irregularities in pipe alignment and welding gap width. Novel clamp locator means and wheel support means are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for welding, wherein during welding the welding electrode is oscillated laterally of the weld path, and the welding current pulse frequency and oscillation frequency are correlated whereby weld metal droplets are deposited when the electrode is at its limit of movement away from center at each side of the weld path. During each cycle of oscillation of the welding electrode, a controlled number of weld metal droplets is deposited at each side of the weld path. An electrical circuit controls the electrode oscillation frequency and the welding current pulse frequency to be in correlation, and controls the number of weld metal droplets deposited at the opposite sides of the weld during each oscillation of the welding electrode.

Abstract: Welding methods and apparatus, wherein a welding electrode is oscillated by a motor-driven oscillator in back and forth movements transverse to a weld joint, and an alternating welding current is supplied to the welding electrode in timed relation with the welding tip oscillations so that weld metal is deposited along opposite sides of the weld joint in parallel paths without deposit of weld metal at the center of the weld joint.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for double jointing pipe, wherein a first pipe section is moved onto a pipe support roller assembly and moved lengthwise over a boom which carries a pipe clamp and internal welder at its end. A second section of pipe is then moved onto the pipe support roller assembly and moved lengthwise into engagement with the first pipe section. After the first and second pipe sections have been properly aligned and the clamps expanded to hold the pipe sections in welding positions, the pipe sections are rotated simultaneously while both internal and external welds are made simultaneously. A cap weld may also be formed with the pipes clamped as described, or the pipes may be moved to another support roller assembly and the cap weld made while the connected pipe sections are on the second support roller assembly. The methods and apparatus disclosed result in considerable savings as to both the cost of equipment and operating costs.

Abstract: Welding backup shoe apparatus, wherein plural backup shoes are carried side-by-side on flexible bands, each backup shoe being resiliently biased outwardly so that the backup shoes are resiliently pressed against the inner side of a weld joint between end-to-end pipe sections to prevent blowthrough of weld metal through the joint during welding and to dissipate heat from the weld metal. A pair of bands, each carrying a plurality of backup shoes, are supported by the shoes of a welding clamp, the bands being disposed at the upper and lower interior of the pipes to be expanded outwardly when the welding clamp shoes are expanded and to be retracted inwardly when the welding clamp shoes are retracted.

Abstract: Traveling carriage apparatus, adapted to travel along a track disposed about or upon an object, to carry a device such as a welding torch to do work upon the object or upon other apparatus supported thereby. The apparatus is hinged end-to-end, preferably having three hinged-together portions, the angularity at the hinges being adjustable so that the apparatus may travel along a track which is either curved or flat. The apparatus is supported by track-engaging sets of wheels at its opposite ends. A retractable drive wheel assembly is carried by one of the hinged portions of the apparatus.

Abstract: Pipe welding clamp including pipe end spacing means, for holding pipes disposed end to end for welding, and for spacing the pipe ends apart by a small distance during welding. Two clamp assemblies are provided, one for each pipe end, the clamp assemblies being individually expanded and set by forces applied through axially movable sleeve assemblies and toggles connected between the sleeve assemblies and radially disposed clamp elements. The sleeves are moved for setting and retracting the clamp assemblies by fluid cylinders. An additional fluid cylinder is adapted to move one clamp assembly relative the other to provide spacing between the pipe ends after setting of the clamps, the pipe end spacing being controlled at circularly spaced points around the apparatus by screw-adjustable spacing stops.

Abstract: Track apparatus, consisting of a circular track adapted to be affixed end-to-end around a pipe, usually adjacent an end thereof, to support a carriage apparatus for travel about the pipe, welding equipment, or the like, being mounted on the carriage apparatus for use in welding the pipe to another pipe abutted end-to-end therewith, or for other similar purposes. The track is supported by circularly spaced crossbars each provided with inwardly projecting spring biased pins upon which the crossbars are supported. A latch device for affixing the ends of the track together is provided. The track has frictional engagement means around its outwardly facing surface for engagement by drive wheels of the carriage apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating a welding carriage track disposed about a pipe adjacent an end of the pipe, wherein a linkage actuated clamp is adapted to engage opposite edges of the track, and wherein a surface of the apparatus is adapted to engage the end of the pipe about which the apparatus is disposed at a fixed distance from the near edge of the track, whereby said surface may be firmly engaged against the end of the pipe to dispose the track at said fixed distance from the end of the pipe. The distance between the pipe end engagement surface and the near edge of the track is fixed, but the apparatus is adapted to be used with tracks of different widths.

Abstract: Rotary internal pipe clamp apparatus for use in welding pipes together end to end, said apparatus having a first set of circularly spaced pipe engagement elements for disposition within the end of one section of pipe, and having a second set of circularly spaced pipe engagement elements for disposition in the end of a second length of pipe abutted end to end with the first length of pipe. Each set of circularly spaced pipe engagement elements is expanded and retracted by rotation of a circular disc to which said pipe engagment elements are linked by toggle elements. In addition, the apparatus includes a welding back up assembly which is expandable and retractable simultaneously with the second set of pipe engagement elements. The welding back up assembly includes plural peripheral bands or strips which are supplemented by shorter peripheral bands or strips which separately retract and expand.

Abstract: Drive unit for internal pipeline equipment, wherein the drive motor which drives the drive unit is disposed parallel to the pipe axis instead of transverse to the pipe axis, thereby to occupy a reduced space transverse to the length of the pipe and enabling a drive motor of given size to be used in a drive unit of smaller diameter than would be possible if the drive motor were disposed transverse to the pipe axis. In this way, drive units may be adapted for use in pipes of relatively smaller diameters than has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing particulate materials, such as sand, gravel, and cement to form a concrete mix, and for mixing water with the concrete mix to form concrete, and for applying the concrete to a structure such as a pipe, wherein a controlled amount of aggregate is placed on a moving belt and leveled to further control its amount, and then a controlled amount of cement is placed upon the leveled aggregate and leveled to further control its amount, and then the materials on the belt are mixed by spiked rollers dipping into the mixture, water being added to form the concrete, and the concrete being impelled against the object by being passed between high speed rollers.

Abstract: Rotary internal pipe bending mandrel, wherein sets of pipe engagement elements at opposite sides of the pipe interior are actuated by generally radially disposed toggle elements which expand and retract the pipe engagement elements by rotations of a central assembly. The elements which support the pipe engagement elements are disposed in circularly spaced groups which are axially spaced along the direction of the pipe, and each group is separately expanded by a separate fluid motor assembly. The apparatus has improved the load bearing characteristics because it has positive end engagements of the toggles, whereby the pins or shafts on which the toggles are pivotally mounted are not excessively strained.

Abstract: Pipe wrapping and coating apparatus, wherein one or more rolls of tape for wrapping the pipe are mounted on spindles supported by pivotal frames whereby the frames and the rolls of tape carried thereby pivotally self-adjust angularly so that the tape is wrapped flatly onto the pipe automatically and the overlap of adjacent tape wraps is made uniform automatically. The apparatus is supported by an adjustable wheeled carrier adapted to support the apparatus weight when the apparatus is mounted on pipes of diverse sizes. The apparatus includes a reservoir for dispensing coating material prior to wrapping, and includes novel coating application means.

Abstract: Combined chuck wrench and electric plug, wherein the handle or shaft of a chuck wrench structure is molded into the body of the electric plug, the operating wrench end extending from the electric plug body in a position for use in adjusting, tightening and releasing a chuck. The electric plug must be removed from a socket before the chuck wrench may be used, thereby insuring the user against the possibility of incurring an electric shock and against the possibility of injury from operation of a tool while the chuck is being adjusted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for purifying water by filtration, according to which water is passed in an upward direction through one or more sand beds supported in towers, at a slow rate of flow so that the sand bed is not disturbed. The sand bed or layer is relatively deep vertically to provide superior filtration. Raw water feed to each tower is accomplished by tangential flow from the inlets. Rapid backwash of the sand bed is accomplished by opening a dump valve at the lower end of a cone provided at the base of the tower in which the sand bed is supported. Maintenance and control of bacterial activity in the lower part of the sand bed enhances purification of the water by bacterial action. Chemical treatments of the water may be used in conjuction with the filtration, including treatments with chlorine, and with alum (i.e. aluminum sulphate and/or potassium or ammonium alum) to produce a floc, and barium sulphate and/or a drilling mud may be added to assist in removal of the floc by filtration.

Abstract: Size-adjustable internal pipe clamp apparatus, for use in two different nominal sizes of pipes, wherein adjustments are provided for all pipe contacting elements so that only a single apparatus need be provided for clamping abutted pipe ends of two sizes of pipes together for welding instead of the two separate and distinct apparatuses hereinbefore required.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bending coated pipe including heating a specific area of the pipe coating by resistance heating to prevent damage at all areas of the pipe coating during bending of the pipe. The pipe bending equipment includes an upper bending die, and a lower pin up shoe and a lower strongback. The strongback has resistance heating means in a recess which is positioned over a specific area of the upper surface of the strongback, for heating the pipe coating prior to bending of the pipe. By heating of a relatively small specific area of the pipe coating, damage to the entire area of the coating is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for finishing the ends of pipes, particularly for shaping the ends of pipes preparatory to welding the pipes together end-to-end, wherein the cutting tool or tools employed to finish the pipe end are urged against the pipe end hydraulically, and wherein the hydraulic fluid is pressured by a hydraulic pump which operates in response to rotation of the pipe end finishing apparatus. A variety of cutting tools may be employed, singly or in combination, for finishing the butt end of the pipe in flat, beveled, or stepped condition.

Abstract: Pipe wrapping apparatus, having one or more pipe wrapping tape spindles with each of which is associated a take up spindle onto which tape backing is wound after the backing has been stripped from the tape as the tape is wound onto the pipe.