Abstract: A clamshell lathe that can be utilized to machine or mill a portion of a workpiece such as a tube or pipe, wherein the clamshell lathe is a generally annular device that includes a stationary member and a rotatable member each preferably comprising semi-cylindrical halves that are connected together around the workpiece to be machined. The stationary member includes a bearing channel in which bearings of the rotatable member travel when the rotatable member is activated. In a preferred embodiment, an inner wall of the bearing channel has an angled end portion that is positioned adjacent an angled end portion of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A tripper assembly for use in advancing a clamshell lathe tool slide including a tool for milling a portion of a workpiece such as a tube or pipe, the tool slide being operatively connected to a rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and the tripper assembly operatively connected to a stationary ring of the clamshell lathe. The design of the tripper assembly is such that the position, engaged or disengaged, of the tripper element can be easily ascertained.

Abstract: A milling head for use in conjunction with a rotary milling tool that is utilized to perform an operation on a tube, preferably of a tube bank or tube wall of a boiler system. The milling head is utilized to remove material or film from the outer diameter of a tube, or place a bevel on a tube end, or both. In one embodiment, the milling head includes at least one outer diameter milling element and at least one bevel milling element that are adjustable in relation to each other as well as the milling head body. Methods for milling a tube are also described.

Abstract: A milling head for use in conjunction with a rotary milling tool that is utilized to perform an operation on a tube, preferably of a tube bank or tube wall of a boiler system. The milling head is utilized to remove material or film from the outer diameter of a tube, or place a bevel on a tube end, or both. In one embodiment, the milling head includes at least one outer diameter milling element and at least one bevel milling element that are adjustable in relation to each other as well as the milling head body. Methods for milling a tube are also described.

Abstract: A milling head for a milling device, particularly a rotary milling device, wherein the milling head is capable of imparting a desired finish on a tube, preferably of a heat exchanger tube. The milling head includes one or more milling elements capable of cutting and/or removing heat dissipating elements connected to an outer surface of the tube. The heat dissipating elements are removed from the tube in a longitudinal direction along the tube length. In one embodiment, the milling head also includes a bevel milling element. Methods for milling a tube having heat dissipating elements are also described.

Abstract: A guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.

Abstract: A clamshell lathe that can be utilized to machine or mill a portion of a workpiece such as a tube or pipe, wherein the clamshell lathe is a generally annular device that includes a stationary member and a rotatable member each preferably comprising semi-cylindrical halves that are connected together around the workpiece to be machined. The stationary member includes a bearing channel in which bearings of the rotatable member travel when the rotatable member is activated. In a preferred embodiment, an inner wall of the bearing channel has an angled end portion that is positioned adjacent an angled end portion of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A tripper assembly for use in advancing a clamshell lathe tool slide including a tool for milling a portion of a workpiece such as a tube or pipe, the tool slide being operatively connected to a rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and the tripper assembly operatively connected to a stationary ring of the clamshell lathe. The design of the tripper assembly is such that the position, engaged or disengaged, of the tripper element can be easily ascertained.

Abstract: A motor mount assembly for a milling tool, in particular a clamshell lathe, wherein the motor mount assembly has a housing that is secured to a stationary ring of the lathe and a drive gear rotatably journaled in the housing and in operative contact with gearing on a rotatable ring of the lathe that carries a cutting tool. The drive gear is operatively axially supported internally by both the drive shaft of the motor as well as by a portion of the motor mount assembly housing in order to provide a durable, long wearing motor mount assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.

Abstract: Tube ends such as those of boiler tube banks, are prepared utilizing any of various combinations of processes which include a step of micro-diameter tube film removal from a portion of a tube end, including an area below a beveled segment, or segment to be beveled. The micro-diameter film removal step provides the tube with an exposed, clean metal surface which is conducive to a subsequent welding or bonding operation performed on the tube. Preferably, the process is performed with a tube milling tool having interchangeable milling or cutting heads. A specialized milling head is also disclosed and, in one embodiment, is at least used to perform the micro-diameter tube film removal step. Advantageously, the tube film removal milling head also removes a weld overlay on one or both sides of a tube in one embodiment. The tube film removal milling head includes an attached blade having a planar face configuration which enables tube film removal.

Abstract: A milling head for a milling device, particularly a rotary milling device, wherein the milling head is capable of imparting a desired finish on a tube, preferably of a heat exchanger tube. The milling head includes one or more milling elements capable of cutting and/or removing heat dissipating elements connected to an outer surface of the tube. The heat dissipating elements are removed from the tube in a longitudinal direction along the tube length. In one embodiment, the milling head also includes a bevel milling element. Methods for milling a tube having heat dissipating elements are also described.

Abstract: A milling head for a milling device, particularly a rotary milling device, wherein the milling head is capable of imparting a desired finish on a tube, preferably of a heat exchanger tube. The milling head includes one or more milling elements capable of cutting and/or removing heat dissipating elements connected to an outer surface of the tube. The heat dissipating elements are removed from the tube in a longitudinal direction along the tube length. In one embodiment, the milling head also includes a bevel milling element. Methods for milling a tube having heat dissipating elements are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.

Abstract: A milling head for a rotary tool, which is preferably utilized to process, prepare, or otherwise impart a desired finish to a workpiece, preferably an end portion of a tube. In a preferred embodiment, the milling head includes at least three different cutting or milling surfaces each capable of performing a distinct operation on a workpiece. In one embodiment, the milling head includes a) a membrane milling and/or outer diameter tube film removal element; b) a beveling element capable of imparting a bevel to the tube end; and c) an inner diameter tube film removal element. In yet a further embodiment, outer diameter tube film removal elements or blades are provided having a curved or rounded cutting or milling edge which can be utilized especially in milling operations having close quarters. In a preferred embodiment, the milling head outer diameter cutting blades are provided with elongated, slotted bores.

Abstract: Tube ends such as those of boiler tube banks, are prepared utilizing any of various combinations of processes which include a step of micro-diameter tube film removal from a portion of a tube end, including an area below a beveled segment, or segment to be beveled. The micro-diameter film removal step provides the tube with an exposed, clean metal surface which is conducive to a subsequent welding or bonding operation performed on the tube. In yet a further embodiment, tube film removal blades are provided having a curved or rounded edge which can be utilized in milling operations having close quarters. In a further embodiment, milling head cutting blades are provided which are adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, the milling head cutting blades and/or bevel blades are provided with elongated, slotted bores.

Abstract: A milling head for a milling device, particularly a rotary milling device, wherein the milling head is capable of imparting a desired finish on a tube, preferably of a heat exchanger tube. The milling head includes one or more milling elements capable of cutting and/or removing heat dissipating elements connected to an outer surface of the tube. The heat dissipating elements are removed from the tube in a longitudinal direction along the tube length. In one embodiment, the milling head also includes a bevel milling element. Methods for milling a tube having heat dissipating elements are also described.

Abstract: Tube ends such as those of boiler tube banks, are prepared utilizing any of various combinations of processes which include a step of micro-diameter tube film removal from a portion of a tube end, including an area below a beveled segment, or segment to be beveled. The micro-diameter film removal step provides the tube with an exposed, clean metal surface which is conducive to a subsequent welding or bonding operation performed on the tube. Preferably, the process is performed with a tube milling tool having interchangeable milling or cutting heads. A specialized milling head is also disclosed and, in one embodiment, is at least used to perform the micro-diameter tube film removal step. Advantageously, the tube film removal milling head also removes a weld overlay on one or both sides of a tube in one embodiment. The tube film removal milling head includes an attached blade having a planar face configuration which enables tube film removal.

Abstract: A milling head for a rotary tool, which is preferably utilized to process, prepare, or otherwise impart a desired finish to a workpiece, preferably an end portion of a tube. In a preferred embodiment, the milling head includes at least three different cutting or milling surfaces each capable of performing a distinct operation on a workpiece. In one embodiment, the milling head includes a) a membrane milling and/or outer diameter tube film removal element; b) a beveling element capable of imparting a bevel to the tube end; and c) an inner diameter tube film removal element. The milling head milling surfaces are adjustable in order to accommodate tubes of different wall thicknesses and diameters. The milling head is preferably attached to a rotary milling tool, i.e., a drill. Methods of performing operations on workpieces with the milling head are disclosed.