Abstract: The problem of firmly gripping a cylindrical component over a range of permitted diameters is solved by providing a protrusion on the surface of a cantilevered seat, the seat being substantially complementarily curved to accommodate the cylindrical component. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a clamp for holding a cylindrical component is provided comprising at least one curved seat having at least one protrusion, the curved seat being cantilevered by a first end. The protrusion is configured to contact the cylindrical component under load such that a concentrated load is exerted on the curved seat between a first end and a second end causing the curved seat to be elastically deflected.

Abstract: A clamping means support for use with orbital tube welding that resists the outward flexure of abutting tubes is provided. The invention generally is comprised of a left clasp and a right clasp, being congruent. The right clasp is generally square cornered J-shaped, having a mounting leg, and an engaging leg, an engagement notch formed between the long leg and the short leg. The right clasp is fastened upright, at the mounting leg, to a right top side of a clamping means. The left clasp is fastened invertible, at the mounting leg, to a left top side of a clamping means. Wherein, in the closed position, the engagement leg of the right clasp interlocks within the engagement notch of the left clasp, effectively preventing outward movement of the right top side and the left top side of the clamping means, relative one to the other.

Abstract: A clamp for a cylindrical workpiece useful for a tube welder includes two clamping plates arranged to move in the same plane to engage the workpiece in a central opening formed by cooperating indentations in the clamping plates and both clamping plates are provided with at least one supported beam flexible member for pressing against the workpiece and accommodating variations in the diameter of the workpiece from the nominal diameter.

Abstract: A configuration or system of lenses for use in an arc welding environment variably filters light so that the dramatic contrasts of light present in the welding area are reduced for better remote viewing. A photochromic lens forms a negative image of the welding area. The negative image of the photochromic lens serves as a variable density optical filter to reduce the brightness of the image incident upon the photochromic lens. A first lens initially gathers and focusses the light upon the photochromic lens. Subsequent lenses further prepare the image for camera reception by eliminating ultraviolet (UV) light, by eliminating light at spectral lines, and/or by enhancing the depth of field of the image.