Abstract: Apparatus for applying a primer paint coating onto a pipe wherein a structure movable along the pipe forms an enclosed annular cavity about the pipe. Primer paint fills the cavity and wets the complete circumference of the pipe. The cavity is filled by means of gravity flow with the surplus primer being collected in a reservoir and pumped back to the top of the cavity. Means are provided to wipe the primer to a predetermined thickness and returns the surplus to the reservoir. A gas rich environment surrounds the paint filled cavity and wiper means.

Abstract: This invention relates to automatic welding of confronting edges of two bodies between which is a groove to be filled with filler material and, more particularly, to conditioning, processing and use of control signals for automatic operation.

Abstract: An internal mandrel (10) is disclosed which is used for supporting the inner wall (30) of a pipe (12) during bending. The internal mandrel includes a urethane plug (31) which is compressed between the piston (60) of a hydraulic cylinder (56) and an end plate (36). This expands the urethane radially outward into contact with the inner wall (30) of the pipe to support the pipe during bending. Resilient steel strips (88) can be mounted on the exterior surface of the urethane plug (31) at the inside bend of the pipe to increase the effective wall thickness of the pipe at the inner bend to reduce the likelihood of deformation during bending. In a second embodiment, internal mandrel (200) includes an annular urethane plug (204) positioned between a resilient cylinder (202) and the inner wall of the pipe (12).

Abstract: An improved tape applying device (12) is provided. A number of tape roll support spindles (34) are pivotally mounted to a wrapping sprocket (14) which rotates about an axis (18). The spindles (34) support tape rolls (22). As the wrapping sprocket (14) rotates, the tape from these tape rolls are wrapped about a pipe (26). A rigid ring (66) is supported on a number of struts (50) spaced from and coaxial with the wrapping sprocket (14). A brace arm assembly (69) is secured between the ring (66) and selected spindles (34) to oppose centrifugal forces generated when the annular member rotates to apply the tape to the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine (10) is described which incorporates a bending die (14) which supports coated pipe during bending without damaging the coating. In one embodiment, the bending die (14) employs a conventional die (30) with a plurality of longitudinal rods (40, 42, 44) spaced from the inner surface of the die (30) and in pipe confronting relation. When the pipe is urged against the bending die in the machine, the rods precompress the material thereunder for transmitting the bending forces. The rods (40, 42, 44) are spaced a sufficient distance from each other in the transverse direction about the inner surface of the die to permit the material to flow outward therebetween to reduce the stresses in the coating. In a second embodiment, a plurality of transversely extending rings (62, 64 66) are positioned on the inner surface of a conventional die (30) which further act to support bending forces without damage to the coating.

Abstract: A floating reference voltage is generated in response to the low frequency components of weld current and is utilized in the control of the width of travel of a welding arc back and forth across a gap to be filled with weld metal. The arc current is integrated during each traverse across the gap and this integral is compared with the floating reference so that as the wall of the gap is approached, the direction of travel of the arc will be reversed. Provision is made for avoidance of the effects of "dip transfer".

Abstract: A unit (10) is employed such that sections of piling are separated and removed from the surrounding leg jackets to facilitate relocation of an offshore drilling platform. Unit (10) comprises a clamping section (20) by which the unit is secured in place and then utilized to lift a separated section of piling after operation of a cutting section (22). The cutting section (22) includes a rotatable plate (56), at least one cutting disk (68) mounted for movement on the plate, a cylinder (76) for actuating each cutting disk inwardly and outwardly, and a motor (62) for driving the plate.

Abstract: To maintain control of arc position in travel along a predetermined welding path, wherein the arc or equivalent heat source is given at least a minimal lateral reciprocation, an electrical characteristic, such as current, is sampled to obtain a continuous signal containing a component which varies with lateral position of the heat source. The first signal is also sampled at the extreme lateral positions of the arc to obtain comparable signal elements which are accumulated, amplified, compared with each other and/or with reference signals, and resultant outputs are used to initiate corrective action. This action may involve giving warning to a human operator or it may involve partial or full control of a physical or mechanical correction procedure. A general application is to the welding of a groove formed between adjacent work pieces. A more specific application is to weld joints involving narrow gaps between length of large pipe in pipeline building.

Abstract: A hydraulic wedge mandrel is disclosed for supporting top and bottom cylindrical segments of pipe during cold bending of the pipe. Bottom and top assemblies (14) and (16) are vertically movable to and away from each other for expanding and collapsing the mandrel. Bottom and top arcuate support segments (18) and (22) support the bottom and top assemblies (14) and (16) respectively. Bottom spring plate (20) is mounted to bottom arcuate support segments (18) opposite bottom assembly (14) and top spring plate (24) is mounted to top arcuate support segments (22) opposite top assembly (16). Secured to the top of bottom spring plate (20) and the bottom of top spring plate (24) are a plurality of wedges (28).

Abstract: The occurrence and magnitude of a leak in a pipeline are determined by sensing a product velocity, pressure and temperature at an upstream point of flow of a product of known composition in said pipeline and sensing product velocity, pressure and temperature at a downstream point in said pipeline.The ambient temperature of the material surrounding said pipeline is sensed at spaced locations along said pipeline between said upstream and downstream points.The above parameters are employed to determine from four equations (conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and the equation of state) a single valued function of time representative of the product imbalance of product flowing from said upstream point to said downstream point.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for assuring the integrity of outside weldings of pipelines. Pipe sections are prepared for welding by forming a beveled profile with a relatively narrow annular contact band on the ends of each pipe section. When the pipe sections are abutted end to end for welding, the leveled profiles form a relatively deep groove on the outside of the pipe between the pipe sections, with the annular contact bands abutting and spaced inwardly from the grooves. The contact band on at least one of the pipe sections is circumferentially prepared such as by knurling to provide controlled spacing between the contact bands of the pipe sections. A welding arc is applied to the bottom of the groove from the exterior of the pipe sections to weld the annular contact bands together. Welding penetration is enhanced by the circumferential preparation of the contact bands.

Abstract: A brush head assembly (12) for use in a pipe cleaning machine includes a pair of end rings (26, 28). A plurality of arms (30) are pivotally connected about the second end ring (28). Cross members (44) supporting brushes (50) extend between the arms (30) and the first end ring (26). The brush head assembly (12) is adjustable to accommodate different predetermined pipe sizes by pivotal adjustment of the arms (30) and replacement of the first end ring (26).

Abstract: An improved back-up pad apparatus for use in externally welding abutting ends of pipe comprises a plurality of arcuate back-up pads positioned to face the interior of the weld. Each arcuate pad is mounted on a support shoe for radial movement into and out of biased engagement with the interior cylindrical surfaces of the pipes. The arcuate pads are pivotally supported by the support shoes and biased about axes parallel with the centerline of the pipe to permit retraction of the pads without interference. Preferably, the pads are constructed of hard anodized aluminum material.

Abstract: An improved back-up pad apparatus for use in externally welding abutting ends of pipe is formed of hard anodized aluminum material and comprises a plurality of arcuate back-up pads for interior positioning to face the weld. Each arcuate pad is mounted on a shoe for biased engagement with the interior cylindrical surfaces of the pipes. Intermediate shoes carrying cylindrically surfaced members are provided at the rounded ends of adjacent back-up pads.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding the adjoining ends of annular work members, such as lengths of pipe, employing an arc nozzle for melting and depositing metal in the gap between said adjoining ends. A drive motor coupled to the nozzle drives the nozzle laterally back and forth across the gap while the current that flows in said arc is integrated to generate a physical representation of magnitude of the integral. Means are provided to arrest the motor each time the magnitude reaches a predetermined threshold value, and to reverse the direction of travel of the motor.

Abstract: A device for clamping into engagement with the inside of a pipe comprising central shaft, rotatable actuator members axially spaced on the shaft and journalled thereon, piston and cylinder type of hydraulic motors coupled to the axially spaced actuators for rotating the actuators, spaced frames fixedly mounted on the shaft, plunger members mounted for radial sliding movement in the frames, and coplanar links connected between the plungers and the spaced actuators for moving said plungers radially toward and away from the inside of said pipe. In one embodiment the spaced actuators are rotated simultaneously in opposite directions because they are connected to opposite ends of the hydraulic motors. In another embodiment separate hydraulic motors rotate the actuators independently of each other.