Abstract: An arc welding automat for maintaining or repairing rails and switch gears includes a frame, a welding device including a torch for welding an area of a rail, the frame being provided with at least two elements for the support on a rail or a switch gear, these two elements and the torch being substantially aligned, the torch including an element of displacement on at least two horizontal axes. The automat includes an element for performing steps of:—storing, in a reference system having at least two dimensions, space coordinates of points forming at least two polygons defining at least two distinct working surfaces inside an area to be welded;—implementing a welding program including moving the torch with respect to the frame, so as to intervene successively on all the distinct working surfaces. Also disclosed is a welding method for maintaining or repairing rails and switch gears.

Abstract: A device (1) for the maintenance and the repair of rails and railroad apparatuses, includes: a frame (2); elements (3, 4, 5) of displacement on a rail; the elements of displacement including two wheels (4, 5) aligned with an axis (6) of displacement of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the elements (3) of displacement so that, when the wheels of the device are positioned on a rail (7), the center of gravity (22) of the device is placed vertically to the rail. According to a preferred embodiment, each wheel is provided with two flanges (12, 13) having a substantially annular shape, the position of at least one of the flanges being axially adjustable.

Abstract: A device (1) for the maintenance and the repair of rails and railroad apparatuses, includes: a frame (2); elements (3, 4, 5) of displacement on a rail; the elements of displacement including two wheels (4, 5) aligned with an axis (6) of displacement of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the elements (3) of displacement so that, when the wheels of the device are positioned on a rail (7), the center of gravity (22) of the device is placed vertically to the rail. According to a preferred embodiment, each wheel is provided with two flanges (12, 13) having a substantially annular shape, the position of at least one of the flanges being axially adjustable.

Abstract: An electric arc welding robot for welding a zone of a rail or the like comprises a movable, electric arc torch unit for operating the welding, first controlling means for controlling a first displacement of the torch unit substantially in front of the periphery of the zone to be welded, so that welding geometrical locations are read on said zone, by means of reading means connected to a memory unit, for memorizing said welding geometrical locations read on the rail, and second controlling means for automatically controlling a second displacement of the torch unit in front of the zone to be welded, within the limits of said reading and as a function of the welding geometrical locations, as memorized.

Abstract: An electric arc welding robot for welding a zone of a rail or the like comprises a movable, electric arc torch unit for operating the welding, first controlling means for controlling a first displacement of the torch unit substantially in front of the periphery of the zone to be welded, so that welding geometrical locations are read on said zone, by means of reading means connected to a memory unit, for memorizing said welding geometrical locations read on the rail, and second controlling means for automatically controlling a second displacement of the torch unit in front of the zone to be welded, within the limits of said reading and as a function of the welding geometrical locations, as memorized.

Abstract: An electro-welding device for electrically welding plastic elements together, comprising: a power source for having an AC current in circulation, an electrical converter AC/DC, heating means electrically connected to the converter for heating the weldable elements, electrical regulating means interposed between the electrical converter and the heating means, the electrical regulating means comprising switching means having successive electrically passing and electrically non-passing phases, the electrical regulating means being subjected to the switch-over rhythm of said switching means for generating a switched over electrical signal.

Abstract: An electro-welding device for electrically welding plastic elements together, comprising: a power source for having an AC current in circulation, an electrical converter AC/DC, heating means electrically connected to the converter for heating the weldable elements, electrical regulating means interposed between the electrical converter and the heating means, the electrical regulating means comprising switching means having successive electrically passing and electrically non-passing phases, the electrical regulating means being subjected to the switch-over rhythm of said switching means for generating a switched over electrical signal.

Abstract: It concerns butt-welding of parts made of plastics material(s). For this purpose, the invention proposes correcting, according to an ambient temperature which is measured in the environment of the parts at the moment of welding, at least one of the following parameters: pressure(s) for contact and/or welding of the parts, electrical energy to be supplied to means for displacement of the said parts, stroke(s) of relative displacement of the parts, time for obtaining beads at the end of the parts during the phase of heating the latter.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of butt-welding two plastic parts each equipped with an identifying code, using an automatically controlled electro-welding machine. A device for performing a welding program is associated with said machine, said program being implemented as a function of the data contained within the identification codes. The data are defined on the basis of a welding law or standard to be applied as a function of various values for parameters relating at least to the thickness and diameter (or cross section) of the part considered at its abutment end, to the temperatures, lengths of time and welding pressure to be employed, the type of material constituting the part and the index or range of indices of fluidity of said material therefore defining the dynamic viscosity so that it would be possible to butt-weld tube parts if the codes of the parts are recognized as being compatible per se.

Abstract: A portable device for straightening out pipes including a hollow beam provided at its two ends with first and second movable bearing members, respectively, one of which or first movable bearing member is actuated by a jack housed within the hollow beam whereas a grip for handling the device is transversely and adjustably mounted on the beam between the first and second movable bearing members and carries a third movable bearing member, the device being applicable in particular for straightening out polyethylene tubes to be assembled end to end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for processing an electrical power supply signal for a resistive heating element.The circuit provided comprises an a.c. current source, a rectifier and a chopper for supplying the resistive element with a current having two superimposed components one being d.c. and the other being a.c., both at a variable voltage.The invention applies particularly to the supplying, with a signal thus processed, of the resistive element of a connecting piece for electro-weldable plastic tubes, of an electro-heating envelope for the connection or protection of pipes, or of a heat-shrink sheath for operation on a cable having a conductor or conductors used for the carrying of electrical energy or for telecommunications.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening and aligning the end of an elongated piece with the end of a second elongated piece, comprising a positioning device comprising a pusher means mounted in a radially movable manner with respect to an axis of one of the aforesaid ends in its straightened and aligned position and angularly movable about this axis, in a support structure, so as to be in a condition to exert a predetermined lateral radial pressure for the desired positioning of the said end.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conducting and to the monitoring, using an automatic machine, of the temperature rise of electrically heated components with which there is associated an identification chart comprising parameters which can be used for conducting and for monitoring this heating, the machine comprising apparatus for reading the chart and for initiating the determined heating program.According to the invention, the chart is divided into a number of zones into some of which are entered, in addition to the said parameters, additional data concerning some of them, the parameters and their associated data are read off using the said reading apparatus, and provision is made for at least some of these parameters to undergo conversions which are induced by some of the other associated zones as a function at least of the data which are contained therein.The invention applies particularly to the monitoring of welding together of plastic components.