Abstract: A clamping module for a pipe line-up system uses bell crank linkages to transmit pipe alignment and clamping forces between radially moving clamping feet and a central axially moving driving head. The clamping feet are arranged in axially spaced sets to internally engage two pipe sections to be welded independently on either side of a weld zone between the pipe sections, with welding shoes in between the clamping feet and spanning the weld zone. The bell crank linkages provide a force multiplier between the driving heads and the clamping feet.

Abstract: A clamping module for a pipe line-up system uses bell crank linkages to transmit pipe alignment and clamping forces between radially moving clamping feet and a central axially moving driving head. The clamping feet are arranged in axially spaced sets to internally engage two pipe sections to be welded independently on either side of a weld zone between the pipe sections, with welding shoes in between the clamping feet and spanning the weld zone. The bell crank linkages provide a force multiplier between the driving heads and the clamping feet.

Abstract: A method for removing a weld crown from a weld joint between first and second work pieces includes steps of positioning a rotary milling tool proximate to the joint and at an offset angle to set a cutting arc relative to the joint. The milling tool is positioned so the cutting arc intersects the weld crown, weld toes, and parent metal on each side of the weld joint. As the milling tool traverses the joint to cut away the weld crown, the milling tool may tilt from side to side to compensate for misalignment between the work pieces along the weld joint. An apparatus for weld crown removal holds a milling tool at an offset angle, and provides a tracking mechanism to permit the milling tool to track misalignment between the work pieces, maintaining the cutting arc in intersection with the weld toes and parent metal along the weld joint.

Abstract: A method for removing a weld crown from a weld joint between first and second work pieces includes steps of positioning a rotary milling tool proximate to the joint and at an offset angle to set a cutting arc relative to the joint. The milling tool is positioned so the cutting arc intersects the weld crown, weld toes, and parent metal on each side of the weld joint. As the milling tool traverses the joint to cut away the weld crown, the milling tool may tilt from side to side to compensate for misalignment between the work pieces along the weld joint. An apparatus for weld crown removal holds a milling tool at an offset angle, and provides a tracking mechanism to permit the milling tool to track misalignment between the work pieces, maintaining the cutting arc in intersection with the weld toes and parent metal along the weld joint.

Abstract: A portable machine tool for removing stub ends of heat exchange tubes from a heat exchanger header or other plate structure and preparing the tube opening in the header for butt-welding a new tube at the opening. The tool includes a mandrel that may be locked within the tube opening and a plurality of stabilizing legs extending between the mandrel and the header for stabilizing the mandrel during machine tool operation. A cutting head is mounted concentrically on the mandrel and is advanced into engagement with the stub end of a heat exchange tube and it's respective opening to remove the stub end and prepare the opening for welding the new tube thereon.

Abstract: A process for preparing tubular coupons formed of a pair of tube lengths butt-welded together with a full depth circumferential weld includes partially diagonally cutting the coupon sample through its transverse dimension so as to leave a thin bending strip along one wall of the coupon about which the coupon is bent for inspection of the internal surface of the weld area. Two procedures are described, both of which leave the interior surface of the weld exposed adjacent the diagonal cutting line through the coupon. The procedure facilitates bending open the cut coupon for internal inspection of the weld area. A jig fixture for holding the coupon during cutting by a band saw blade is described.

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 portable single point facing tool (10) includes a drive system (12,18), a rotating base member (14), a feed control mechanism (40) and a tilting cutting head (32) with a cutting tool (30). The tool feed is driven through a gear system (84,86) synchronously with rotation of the base member, a variable throw crank mechanism (82) and a drive rod (83) so that tool feed rate is infinitely variable relative to speed of rotation of the base member. Direction of tool feed can selectively be set at forward, reverse or zero feed by means of a selectively engageable gear train associated with the feed mechanism (40).

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: 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 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.