Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a pipe bend is disclosed, comprising: heating, with an induction coil, a first annular band of a wall of a first end portion of a moving pipe; directing quenching fluid toward an outer and inner surface of the first annular band; heating a second annular band of a wall of a bend portion of the moving pipe; directing the quenching fluid toward an outer and inner surface of the second annular band; decreasing a speed of the pipe while moving the induction coil from stationary and maintaining a relative speed between the pipe and the induction coil substantially constant; heating a third annular band of a wall of a second end portion of the pipe while moving the induction coil; and directing the quenching fluid toward an outer surface and an inner surface of the third annular band while moving the induction coil.

Abstract: A system is provided for manufacturing a pipe bend, including: a securement structure including a securement device configured to secure a first end of a pipe and a pivot arm coupled to the securement device and configured to pivot about a pivot point to introduce a bend in the pipe; an induction ring configured to heat an annular band of a wall of the pipe; a first quenching ring configured to direct a first quenching fluid toward an outer surface of the heated annular band in the wall of the pipe; a second quenching ring configured to direct a second quenching fluid toward an inner surface of the heated annular band in the wall of the pipe; and a processor configured to control release of the first quenching fluid and the second quenching fluid such that the first quenching fluid reaches the outer surface and the second quenching fluid reaches the inner surface substantially concurrently.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a continuous strip from a plurality of strips, each strip having a leading end and a trailing end. Embodiments can include a forming apparatus that chamfers at least one of the leading and trailing ends of each strip. The chamfered trailing ends may then be positioned against chamfered leading ends of successive ones of the plurality of strips. Once a leading end and a trailing end are positioned against one another, a first welding apparatus may weld on a first side, from above, the trailing and leading ends positioned against each other to form weld joints. Once at least two strips have been welded together, the strips can constitute the continuous strip. An inverting apparatus can then invert the continuous strip and weld joints. The inversion of the weld joints can be done so as not to create a reverse bend in the continuous strip. A second welding apparatus can then weld on a second side opposite the first side, from above, the inverted weld joints to form weld junctions.