Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A removable hood for a fume extractor comprises a shield defining an internal cavity and having one or more vent openings in an upper portion, a welding opening in a rear portion, one or more viewing openings in one or more sides, and a pipe opening in a bottom portion of the shield. The pipe opening comprises arcuate portions on either side thereof for placement adjacent to a pipe. The hood also comprises a removable attachment mechanism on the upper portion of the shield configured to selectively couple the one or more vent openings to an extraction arm of the fume extractor, one or more layers of window material coupled to the shield to cover each of the one or more viewing openings, and one or more internal airflow spaces shaped to direct air flow to cool the window material when suction is applied to the vent openings.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a robotic welding system to weld pipe sections wherein the pipe sections are held in fixed relation to each other by a plurality of stitches at a seam between the pipe sections. The method comprises rotating the pipe sections so a camera may determine the seam position, moving a torch arm and welding torch so that the torch is over one of the plurality of stitches, adjusting welding parameters and determining stitch start when welding torch is over a stitch and further adjusting welding parameters and determining stitch end when welding torch moves past one of the plurality of stitches.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A system for welding work pieces together comprises a support assembly configured to permit movement of an end effector assembly throughout a range of operating positions, and an end effector assembly comprising a platform arm pivotally coupled to the support assembly. Radial and longitudinal slide assemblies are coupled between the platform arm and a platform. A rotary actuator is mounted on the platform. A torch arm is coupled to the rotary actuator and extends along an axis of rotation of the rotary actuator. The torch arm has a torch holder at an end thereof configured to hold a welding torch. The rotary actuator can selectively twist the torch arm such that the welding torch undergoes a weaving motion. The system may be operated fully automatically under control of a controller, or in a hybrid mode wherein real time user intervention is permitted to adjust motion and/or operation of the torch.

Abstract: A robotic system coupled to a racking platform of an oil well service or drilling rig comprising a base coupled to the racking platform at a fixed location, a mast pivotally coupled to the base by a mast pivot joint allowing rotation of the mast about a mast axis, a mast actuator for controllably rotating the mast about the mast pivot joint, an arm coupled to the mast and moveable along a radial direction with respect to the mast axis, an arm actuator for controllably moving the arm along the radial direction, an end effector pivotally coupled to an end of the arm by an end effector pivot joint allowing rotation of the end effector about an end effector axis oriented generally parallel to the mast axis, and an end effector actuator for controllably rotating the end effector about the end effector pivot joint. The end effector comprises at least one grabbing member operable to selectively grab an elongated object under control of a grabbing member actuator.

Abstract: A robotic system coupled to a racking platform of an oil well service or drilling rig comprising a base coupled to the racking platform at a fixed location, a mast pivotally coupled to the base by a mast pivot joint allowing rotation of the mast about a mast axis, a mast actuator for controllably rotating the mast about the mast pivot joint, an arm coupled to the mast and moveable along a radial direction with respect to the mast axis, an arm actuator for controllably moving the arm along the radial direction, an end effector pivotally coupled to an end of the arm by an end effector pivot joint allowing rotation of the end effector about an end effector axis oriented generally parallel to the mast axis, and an end effector actuator for controllably rotating the end effector about the end effector pivot joint. The end effector comprises at least one grabbing member operable to selectively grab an elongated object under control of a grabbing member actuator.