Abstract: A guide system for a gas cutting torch used to bevel the ends of pipe in preparation for welding includes a circular sleeve with integral spacer bars coacting with a radial screw for fixing the circular sleeve coaxially around a pipe to be bevelled; the sleeve has an end bevelled at the same angle at which the pipe is to be bevelled; an adjustable follower or torch-holding stepped-spool engages the sleeve bevel to reproduce that bevel angle on the pipe end and engages a groove around the sleeve adjacent the sleeve bevelled end for axial constraint of the gas cutting torch; the coaxial circular form of the stepped spool permits a user to rotate a gas cutting torch about the axis of the flame for better maneuverability without disturbing smoothness of cut; the groove structure defines an open "V"-section groove to permit rocking the torch for burning an initial hole adjacent to but clear of the area to be bevelled.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for re-claiming used or damaged tube turns and rendering them equivalent to new tube turns with correctly oriented openings. A salvaged tube turn is temporarily fixed to a platform in a position such that the longitudinal axis of one of tube turn ends is approximately perpendicular to the plane of an adjacent circular track. The platform is moved so that the opening of the tube turn end is near the circular track. The circular track is then accurately centered with respect to the opening by use of a spider or the like which is temporarily fixed to the center of the track. Either the spider (and track) or the tube turn is moved so that the spider engages the interior of the opening.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the cutting of steel pipes and tubes by utilization of a special flexible metal guide in conjunction with a cutting torch. Use of the special flexible metal guide improves the steadiness of the torch, thereby producing a more precise cut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a pipe. A pipe is positioned on a plurality of support rollers for rotating the pipe. A cutting torch, mounted on a telescoping arm, is movable along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The angle that the cutting torch makes with the surface of the pipe is varied by rotating the cutting torch along an arcuate path that is in a plane parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The cutting torch is directed towards the radial center of the arcuate path that is on the surface of the pipe. Servo motors selectively vary the rotational angle of the pipe, the position of the cutting torch and the angle of the cutting torch. A computer automatically controls the operation of the servo motors with the aid of a pre-programmed mathematical function. The mathematical function uses characteristic data for the pipe and feedback data from the servo motors.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and beveling pipe comprising a horizontally positioned and movable member, roller means to support and axially rotate a horizontal pipe parallel to the member, a photocell scanner mounted on the member and positioned to follow a profile template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, drive means, responsive to a signal from the photocell scanner, adapted to move the member horizontally in either axial direction as the photocell scanner follows the profile template, a cutting torch pivotally supported by a mounting on the member and positioned to cut through a pipe, rotating axially on the roller means, in a cutting path having the same profile as the template, a support on the member movable axially of a pipe on the roller means, a second photocell scanner mounted on the movable support and positioned to follow a bevel contour template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, an arm extending from the support and pivotally connected with the cutting torch, and drive means, responsi

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a pipe end for intersection with another surface comprising a horizontally positioned and movable boom, roller means to support and axially rotate a horizontal pipe parallel to the boom, a photocell scanner mounted on the boom and positioned to follow a template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, drive means responsive to a signal from the photocell scanner, adapted to move the boom horizontally in either axial direction as the photocell scanner follows the template, and a cutting torch movably supported by a mounting on the boom and positioned to cut through a pipe, rotating axially on the roller means, in a cutting path having the same contour as the template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flame cutting steel slabs or the like in strip casting apparatus employs a flame cutting machine which moves at the strip casting speed during the flame cutting. A control device so adapts the flame cutting speed to the casting speed automatically, taking into account any temporary delay in the cutting operation, that until the termination of the flame cutting a definite predetermined distance of accompaniment is maintained.

Abstract: To remove a solid tire from a wheel over which that tire has been pressed, a transverse groove is cut in the tread of the tire with a cutting apparatus so as to expose the underlying rim. Then the exposed portion of the rim is cut with a flame that is passed through the groove. Once the rim is severed, the tire is easily dislodged from the rim. The cutting apparatus includes a base on which the wheel is positioned and slideways extended away from the base generally parallel to the axis of rotation for the wheel on the base. A slide is located along the slideways. The slide carries a knife that is elongated in the direction of slide movement. The knife has a free end provided with a point and cutting edges diverging from the point. A threaded screw when turned down moves the slide and the knife thereon, and the path of the knife is such that its point enters the tire at one side of its tread and after passing axially through the tread emerges from the other side.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic cutting torch assembly for making cuts of any predetermined shape in a metallic pipe. Rollers are provided for the pipe to be processed which permit back and forth movement of the pipe. A photoelectric tracer unit and a cutting torch are mounted on a longitudinally extending bar which is also movable back and forth. The tracer unit and cutting torch are aligned with the axis of the pipe and are adjustable so as to be brought in close proximity to the pipe regardless of the size of the pipe. A pattern line is placed on the pipe and the tracking of the line by the tracer unit results in providing the correct cutting locus for the torch. A resolver unit senses the instantaneous angular position of the tracer unit and translates the sensed signal into two signals which correspond to the circumferential and angular components of the sensed angular position.

Abstract: A method for breaking a steel rod into billets for forging, rolling, etc., by cutting a circumferential notch in the surface of the steel rod, locally heating the surface areas of the rod adjacent the notch so that the temperature at the notch bottom is less than a transformation temperature of the steel of the rod, quenching the rod thereby to develop a crack extending from the notch bottom toward the center of the rod, and applying a mechanical load to break the rod along its notched portion.