Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for use with a portable lathe to machine an area of a pipe wherein a cutting tool is supported such that the orientation of its axial path of travel varies as the tool rotates around the pipe. The module feeds a cutting tool along an axial feed path that extends substantially parallel to a line connecting spaced apart reference points located on opposite sides of the area of the pipe to be machined. The orientation of this reference line varies with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pipe as the module is driven around the axis of the pipe. The mechanism to feed the cutting tool along its axial and rotational cutting paths has first and second drive shafts extending substantially perpendicular to each other. The mechanism is simplified by having a first tool support member pivotally attached to the portable lathe so as to pivot about an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the first drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device for clamping a mandrel to an elbow or pipe as well as to a torque-reacting device between a power unit housing and the mandrel. The torque reacting device has a pair of torque reacting keys mounted in a non-rotatable portion of the power unit housing, each of the keys having an end portion with converging opposite sides. The end portions of the torque reacting keys extend into correspondingly shaped, axially extending grooves formed in opposite sides of the mandrel. The opposite sides of the grooves are outwardly diverging and define an included angle approximately equal to the angle between the converging sides of the torque reacting keys. Adjusting screws are provided for each of the torque reacting keys. The clamping device has a plurality of clamping pins, each pin having a generally cylindrical shape with a hemispherical end portion defining a plurality of concentric ridges.

Abstract: A locking cam for locking a pair of tool elements together is disclosed. The locking cam member is rotatably mounted in one of the tool elements such that a clamping surface engages a female gib surface formed on the other tool element. Clamping screws exert a rotative force on the cam member so as to bring the clamping surface into contact with the female gib surface and forceably lock the tool elements together.

Abstract: A panel saw apparatus for cutting a straight line in a planar surface such as a boiler tube panel includes a guide rail arranged to be secured to the panel surface in a predetermined position and a cutting assembly mounted on the rail for movement along the rail. The cutting assembly includes a carriage mounted on the rail for movement along the rail, a brake for holding the carriage in a desired position relative to the guide rail during cutting operations, a cutting tool and tool housing pivotally mounted on the carriage and arranged to pivot toward the panel surface to enable a cutting tool covered by the housing to serially plunge cut a straight line in the surface, and a securing means for holding the cutting tool in various positions of rotation relative to the carriage. The brake is arranged to be automatically actuated and released by pivotal movement of the tool housing towards and away from its cutting position.

Abstract: An automatic feed system for a tube cutter is disclosed which automatically feeds a cutting tool into a tube and also automatically resets the cutting tool to its initial position once the tube has been cut. The automatic feed system has a cam element rotatably mounted in a cutting head defining a cam surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the cam element. A cam follower is formed on a cutting arm which is pivotally attached to the cutting head and has a cutting wheel attached thereto. The eccentric cam surface includes a substantially flat surface portion which lies in a plane extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam element which, when contacted by the cam follower, allows the pivot arm to assume an initial, retracted position. As the cam element rotates, the eccentric cam surface and the cam follower urge the cutting wheel into the tube wall.

Abstract: A tool support and guide assembly for use in repairing boiler tube panels includes a support carriage mountable upon a guide rail that has been previously installed to enable a panel saw tool to be guided along a straight cut line. The support carriage includes a second guide rail conforming in configuration to the first installed guide rail and which extends perpendicularly to the first rail towards the line of cut tube ends. A similar or the same panel saw is mounted on a carriage that is roller guided along the second rail for cutting the membrane between the tubes of the tube panel. A tube end preparation tool is also roller guided along the second guide rail to enable its positioning above each of the cut tube ends so that each tube can be machined (i.e., beveled) in preparation for welding thereto of a replacement tube panel. The perpendicular rails provide a simple guide assembly for accurately locating the saw and the tube end preparation tool.

Abstract: A portable lathe tool includes fixed and rotating split rings, the fixed ring arranged to be secured to a pipe workpiece, the rotating ring being relatively rotatable with respect thereto for carrying a tool capable of performing a machining operation on the workpiece as it is driven around the circumference of the latter. A bearing arrangement for supporting the relatively rotating ring on the fixed ring is disclosed as having a plurality of discreet, circumferentially spaced bearing segments, each having converging radial and thrust bearing surfaces for engaging the rear end area of the rotating ring for axially, radially and rotationally locating and guiding the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring. An adjustment system is provided for accurately locating and adjusting the position of each of the bearing segments ring relative to the fixed ring to permit compensation for wear and dimensional variations.

Abstract: A multi-speed drive system for a portable lathe is disclosed wherein two or more input drive gears are utilized to drive a cutting tool holder ring. Each of the input drive gears has a different pitch diameter so that it will impart different drive speeds/torque characteristics to the cutting tool holder ring. A main drive gear is interposed between each of the input drive gears and a ring gear attached to the cutting tool holder. The input drive gears are each engaged with the main drive gear and a drive motor is connected to the desired input drive gear.

Abstract: A tube cutting tool is described in which a cutting head is rotatably mounted within a cutting body wherein both define "C" shaped slots to enable the cutting tool to be inserted laterally over a tube. A cutting wheel is attached to the cutting head such that rotation of the cutting head causes the wheel to pass around the periphery of the tube. A feed device is incorporated which biases the cutting wheel into contact with the tube until the tubing wall has been completely severed. A gear drive mechanism interconnects a power source with the cutting head to rotate it about the tube. A clamping system is also disclosed to clamp the device onto the tube during the cutting process.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly for a portable lathe is disclosed having a clamping system which will accommodate a wide variety of pipe sizes. Jaw blocks are removably attached to the mandrel attaching block to increase or decrease the clamping size of the mandrel. A mandrel mounting head is readily removable from a mandrel shaft so as to provide further variation in clamping size or function. All of the clamp actuating mechanism, as well as the tool feed mechanism is contained within the interior of the mandrel shaft to prevent contamination from external sources, but is readily accessible from the exterior of the mandrel shaft. Laterally spaced apart bearing surfaces between the mandrel attaching blocks and the mandrel mounting head, as well as a torque ring insert interposed between the mandrel shaft and a mandrel adapter provide for the torque reaction between the cutting tool and the mandrel so as to provide a rigid, sturdy base for the cutting tool.

Abstract: A portable lathe tool includes fixed and rotating split rings, the fixed ring arranged to be secured to a pipe workpiece, the rotating ring being relatively rotatable with respect thereto for carrying a tool capable of performing a machining operation on the workpiece as it is driven around the circumference of the latter. A bearing arrangement for supporting the relatively rotating ring on the fixed ring is disclosed as having a plurality of discreet, circumferentially spaced bearing segments, each having converging radial and thrust bearing surfaces for engaging the rear end area of the rotating ring for axially, radially and rotationally locating and guiding the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring. An adjustment system is provided for accurately locating and adjusting the position of each of the bearing segments ring relative to the fixed ring to permit compensation for wear and dimensional variations.

Abstract: An end preparation tool for pipe fittings includes an end preparation tool having a rotary cutting head with shaping bits carried thereon mounted on a base that also carries a universal clamping fixture for pipe fittings having end openings to be machined in preparation for welding. The clamping fixture includes workpiece engaging clamping pads that permit adjustment of the position of the workpiece relative to a pair of opposed clamping plates that normally secure the pipe fitting in place relative to the cutting head of the end preparation tool. The clamping fixture includes adjustment features that enable the fixture to be moved transversely relative to the cutting head, along the rotary axis of the cutting head and about a vertical axis that permits indexing of the clamping fixture relative to the tool cutting head.

Abstract: A portable lathe tool includes fixed and rotating split rings, the fixed ring arranged to be secured to a pipe workpiece, the rotating ring being relatively rotatable with respect thereto for carrying a tool capable of performing a machining operation on the workpiece as it is driven around the circumference of the latter. A bearing arrangement for supporting the relatively rotating ring on the fixed ring is disclosed as comprising a bearing ring having a sloping bearing surface for engaging the rear end area of the rotating ring for axially, radially and rotationally locating and guiding the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring. An adjustment system is provided for accurately locating and adjusting the position of the bearing ring relative to the fixed ring to permit compensation for wear and dimensional variations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drill jig assembly for use in the removing a tube from a wall structure. the device fits within the tube and defines drill guide grooves along its length such that, a rotating drill inserted into the guide grooves will cut away a portion of the wall thickness of the tube. When portions of the tubing wall thickness have been reduced, the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed so as to easily remove it from the wall structure.

Abstract: A lathe-type machine tool for removing axially irregular material from the periphery of a cylindrical or tubular workpiece having a variable peripheral contour on either side of the material to be removed utilizes a chordwise extending set of support arms for a pair of roller guides that are caused to follow eccentricities on the periphery of a workpiece and to provide axially spaced reference points for guiding the cutter element of the tool. The cutter is mounted on a similar chordwise extending support arm that is caused to traverse an imaginary reference line intersecting the aforementioned reference points so that a radially and axially extending irregularity can be removed between the reference points with a smooth transition zone between the reference points. Since the reference points are caused to continuously move around the periphery of the workpiece, the cutter removes material from the periphery of the workpiece between the reference points completely around the periphery of the workpiece.

Abstract: An adjustable mandrel for securing a portable lathe adjacent the end of a pipe to be prepared for welding includes a lathe support plate that is adjustable about a single miter axis relative to the body of the mandrel which is arranged to engage the I.D. of a pipe. The portable lathe is connectable to the support plate by means of a mandrel engaging fixture that enables the cutting plane of the lathe to be located adjacent the pipe end. The miter axis of the mandrel is always located so that it lies in a direction that is parallel to the cutting plane of the portable lathe. The miter angle can be set within a range of positions so that the pipe end can be cut at a precise miter angle in preparation for welding to another pipe section.