Abstract: A weld head assembly which, in one embodiment, includes a mounting ring subassembly and a faceplate subassembly is described. The mounting ring subassembly includes a mounting ring configured to be mounted to one of the pipes to be welded. At least one motor is mounted to the mounting ring and the motor includes an output shaft having a rotatable spur gear mounted thereto. A plurality of bevel rollers are mounted, at spaced locations, to the mounting ring and each of the rollers is mounted along a same radial path. The faceplate subassembly is secured to the mounting ring subassembly and includes a faceplate ring, a bevel ring and a spur gear mounted to the faceplate ring. Wire spool holders, wire feeders, a welding torch, and cameras are secured to the rotatable faceplate ring.

Abstract: A welded bracket for use in repairing a shroud in which one or more shroud girth seam welds have experienced stress corrosion cracking. A plurality of the welded brackets are placed around the outer circumference of the shroud at a plurality of azimuthal positions at the elevation of the top guide support ring. Each bracket is constructed by welding curved plates. Welding productivity is increased by using an extremely thin weld joint design with a non-circular cylindrical, thin welding electrode having an elongated cross-sectional shape. During welding, the elongated dimension is aligned parallel with the length of the weld joint. This combination enables joining of the welded bracket parts with both the initial weld joint preparation and the completed weld having a uniquely thin width and with a high aspect ratio of depth to width. This high aspect ratio reduces the number of weld beads needed to build the weld joint.