Abstract: A system and method for processing a preform in a vacuum vessel to produce a structural assembly are provided. The system includes a heated die set defining a cavity in which the preform can be formed, bonded, or otherwise processed. The die set is disposed in a cavity of the vacuum vessel from which gas can be evacuated. Thus, a pressurized fluid can be provided to the preform, e.g., to an interior space of the preform to form or constrain the preform in the die cavity, and the vacuum vessel can be evacuated so that the die set, and typically the preform, are exposed to a pressure that is reduced relative to the ambient pressure. Further, the vacuum vessel can constrain the die set in the closed position during processing.

Abstract: The performance of a magnetic pulse forming or welding process is monitored by positioning a deformation member relative to an inductor coil of the apparatus, then energizing the inductor coil to exert a force thereon. The deformation member can be a plastically deformable tube, and the amount of such plastic deformation that occurs when the inductor coil is energized can be measured to determine the magnitude of the force that is generated by the inductor coil. Alternatively, the deformation member can be an elastically deformable body, and the amount of such elastic deformation that occurs when the inductor coil is energized can be measured to determine the magnitude of the force that is generated by the inductor coil.

Abstract: A suspension component for an automobile, such as a stabilizer bar, is provided and includes at least one localized portion having a strengthened outer surface. The localized portion is positioned at a location of highest stress along the suspension component. A method of forming the suspension component is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for consolidating a composite workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic field generator for inducing a current and thereby heating a susceptor in thermal communication with the workpiece. The workpiece is supported by one or more support tools, each of which transmits the electromagnetic field so that the support tools are not substantially heated by the electromagnetic field. Thus, the time and energy required for heating the workpiece are reduced relative to conventional consolidation techniques.

Abstract: A method of bonding spacers to an anode plate of a field emission display. An anode plate having separate phosphor regions is provided, wherein a black matrix material is provided to separate the phosphor regions from one another. A magnetic layer is formed on the black matrix material. A thin metal film is formed on the anode plate and the magnetic layer. Spacers are disposed on the metal film above the black matrix material. An electromagnetic induction procedure is performed to heat the magnetic layer and thus serves as a heating source to produce heat, wherein the heat goes through the metal film to heat the spacers. A direct current (D.C.) electric field procedure is performed to bond the spacers to the metal film above the black matrix material.

Abstract: A system and method inductively heats and stress relieves a weld joint area having a stress induced zone. A susceptor assembly is positioned over the stress induced zone. The susceptor assembly includes susceptor sheets manufactured to operate at different, preselected Curie temperatures. A housing is mounted over the susceptor assembly including an induction coil positioned adjacent to the susceptor assembly. An alternating electric current is applied to the induction coil. The alternating electric current causes the induction coil to generate a plurality of magnetic flux lines. The invention provides the advantage that the magnetic flux lines passing through the susceptor assembly heat the susceptor assembly providing localized and controlled temperature heat to the weld joint area to stress relieve the stress induced zone.

Abstract: A method for producing permanent integral connections of oxide-dispersed metallic materials by welding. The materials or components to be connected are overlapped to form an overlapping region in a joining region of the overlapping region. The materials or components are heated below the melting temperatures of the materials and are welded to at least partially form a diffusion bond by a welding method. A noble metal foil may be between the components to be connected. The diffusion bond is heated subsequently to a temperature below the melting temperature of the materials or components and the bond is mechanically recompacted by hammering.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for bonding of materials by induction heating of an electrically conductive material upon which a second material is bonded. The electrically conductive material is induction heated between a first induction heating plate, and the combination of a frame and a second induction heating plate that is disposed within the frame. The second induction heating plate is removed from the surface of the electrically conductive sheet, while the frame continues to hold the electrically conductive sheet flat, and the second material, in liquid form, is poured into the interior opening of the frame in which the second induction heating plate was originally placed. The liquid material solidifies and bonds to the electrically conductive sheet to produce a bonded product.

Abstract: A system and method for micromachining substrates containing glass employing a UV laser beam generated by outputting a sub-1000 nm pulsed laser beam that is frequency converted by third harmonic generation to have a wavelength within the range of 285 nm to 333 nm.

Abstract: An adaptor for combing a shrink preset tool presetting machine with an induction heating unit. The adaptor is disposed at the bottom of the induction slide member of the induction heating unit and is fastened around the outer periphery of the preset spindle device of the shrink set tool presetting machine. The combined shrink set tool presetter/induction heating machine assembly is also provided with a novel fine adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: An induction heating device is disclosed for heating a rolling roller by induction heating so as to equalize the diameter of the rolling roller. The device includes an induction heater and a means for moving the induction heater to a portion of the roller surface to be heated, while the distance from the induction heater to the surface is maintained constant. An electric power supply means supplies electric power to the induction heater, and a means is provided for adjusting the quantity of heat to be produced by the induction heater according to the quantity of heat that is required by the portion of the roller to be heated. The heat quantity adjusting means includes a frequency control means for controlling the frequency of electric power supplied to the induction heater, wherein the frequency control means adjusts the frequency of electric power within a predetermined frequency range to a frequency which is suitable to produce the quantity of heat required by the portion of the rolling roller to be heated.

Abstract: A method for determining a heating line for bending a steel plate includes the steps of: placing a virtual pattern on a virtual plate; rolling the plate along a frame line from a reference position to contact the plate at two points on the plate; rolling the steel plate back to the reference position; obtaining straight lines connecting the contact points; determining a heating point relative to a reference point; repeating the same steps while contacting the contact points on a reference point side; drawing straight lines from a certain heating point on a certain line to heating points on other lines; examining the degree of parallelism between each straight line and a roller line; grouping the relevant heating points as the same group; and connecting the heating points of the same group by a straight line or a curve.

Abstract: A test apparatus to determine the trip setting of a bimetallic element of a thermal tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker. The apparatus comprising a conveyance configured to receive and move the circuit breaker. A radio frequency induction heater positioned below the conveyance and including an induction coil operatively connected to the induction heater, wherein the induction coil is located below the bimetallic element of the thermal tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker. The radio frequency induction heater may operate with a frequency of 250 KHz to 750 KHz. The test apparatus can also include a mechanical ejection apparatus configured to remove the circuit breaker from the conveyance if the circuit breaker did not meet predetermined criteria and an electrical test apparatus configured to test the circuit breaker if the circuit breaker met predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the bending process of a stabilizer bar by locally pre-heating the stabilizer bar immediately prior to formation. By pre-heating the stabilizer bar, the stress in the stabilizer bar is relieved at the bending areas. This allows larger bars to be formed which would otherwise be outside of machine parameters. In the disclosed embodiments, the stabilizer bar is locally heated by induction coils or resistance heating at the bend areas.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a heating point and a heating line in steel plate bending place a virtual wooden pattern on a virtual steel plate; roll the wooden pattern or steel plate along a frame line from a reference position to contact the wooden pattern and steel plate at two points A, B on the steel plate and C, D on the wooden pattern; roll the wooden pattern or steel plate in the reverse direction for return to the reference position; obtain straight lines U, V connecting the contact points A, B and C, D, respectively; determine a heating point relative to a reference point based on an intersection point of the straight lines U, V; repeat the same steps while contacting the contact points A, C on a reference point side to use their contact point as a new reference point, to determine respective heating points along a specific line up to the end of the steel plate; draw straight lines from a certain heating point on a certain line to heating points on other lines based on the determined heating

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a heating point and a heating line in steel plate bending place a virtual wooden pattern on a virtual steel plate; roll the wooden pattern or steel plate along a frame line from a reference position to contact the wooden pattern and steel plate at two points A, B on the steel plate and C, D on the wooden pattern; roll the wooden pattern or steel plate in the reverse direction for return to the reference position; obtain straight lines U, V connecting the contact points A, B and C, D, respectively; determine a heating point relative to a reference point based on an intersection point of the straight lines U, V; repeat the same steps while contacting the contact points A, C on a reference point side to use their contact point as a new reference point, to determine respective heating points along a specific line up to the end of the steel plate; draw straight lines from a certain heating point on a certain line to heating points on other lines based on the determined heating

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved induction-heating bender comprising: conveyor means for feeding a workpiece to be bent; a pivot arm having a gripper rotatably fixed at its free end for gripping the workpiece, permitting the gripper to be set at a selected angle relative to the axial line of the pivot arm; an arm support for rotatably holding the pivot arm and for carrying the same toward the workpiece, permitting the pivot arm to be set at a controlled effective pivot-to-gripper distance; and a heating-and-cooling mechanism for induction-heating and softening the workpiece and for cooling the same. The pivot arm has its axial line offset from its pivot. The gripper can be rotatably adjusted in angular position relative to the axis of the pivot arm, thereby permitting the workpiece to be smoothly bent into the spiral or elliptical form. The heating-and-cooling mechanism comprises a plurality of cool compartments for effecting different hardenings for selected parts of workpiece.

Abstract: In a device for inductive hardening of profiled camshafts (especially those having valve cams and zero cams) during a hardening operation, the camshaft is surrounded by an inductor and is heated by means of a magnetic field emanating from the inductor. The inductor has several axial members and radial members through which the induction current flows during the hardening operation. Dynamo sheets provided on the axial branches focus the magnetic field in the radial direction. The position and the width of the dynamo sheets is adapted to the surface profile of the camshaft, so that the focusing is aimed at areas with a small diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for performing tube-to-tubesheet welding within box headers and, in more particular, to a GTAW welding gun that has a long generally tubular barrel which is small enough in diameter to pass through the plug holes on one side of a box header and long enough to reach over to the point of connection on the opposite tubesheet. Additionally, and as a critical part of the instant invention, the torch is fitted with a semi-automatic cold wire feeding apparatus and an associated wire feed liner that is constrained to be proximate to the exterior of that tube throughout said barrel's length. Thus, both the barrel of the welding torch and its accompanying wire feed liner are sized to fit within and pass through a plug hole.

Abstract: An automatic plate bending system using high frequency induction heating has many universal poles for bearing a steel plate, a member to be heated, by supporting it from below, the height positions of front end portions of the universal poles themselves being adjustable, and automatically moves a high frequency heating coil of a high frequency heating head above the steel plate, which is placed on the universal poles, along predetermined heating lines while retaining a constant clearance between the high frequency heating coil and the surface of the steel plate, whereby the steel plate is heated and automatically bent into a desired shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of embedding electric components or optical components, such as sensors, in a high-temperature metal and the embedded products produced by the method. In the preferred embodiment the components are embedded on a substrate of the high-temperature metal by being placed on a first insulating layer. A second electrically insulating layer, a low thermal conductivity layer, a high thermal conductivity layer, and a primer layer are then deposited in order. The high thermal conductivity layer is in good thermal contact with the substrate. The high-temperature metal is deposited, preferably as molten drops, on the primer layer and the heat from the drops is conducted by high thermal conductivity layer to the substrate while the components are protected by the low thermal conductivity layer.

Abstract: A method and hot rolling apparatus for producing a hot rolled steel sheet include a roughing rolling mill to roughing roll a heated slab into a sheet bar, at least one solenoid-type induction heater arranged for re-heating the sheet bar over its entire width, and a finish rolling mill arranged to finish roll the re-heated sheet bar into a hot rolled steel sheet having a predetermined thickness. An initial temperature before rolling is set to be low, and re-heating of the sheet bar is carried out around the middle of the hot rolling apparatus. The thermal energy required for rolling is thereby reduced as a whole without damaging the quality of the resulting hot rolled steel sheet. A descaling apparatus is provided prior to the finish rolling mill to remove oxide scales on surfaces of the sheet bar, whereby the resulting hot rolled steel sheet is free of scale flaws and exhibits superior surface properties.

Abstract: Conductors are placed in insulator which acts as a spacer/centralizer for the conductors, which are in turn mounted within tubing. The void spaces between the insulator and the tubing inside wall can be filled with a sealing material. Alternatively, the voids around the substantially centralized conductors can be used as flow channels for the transmission of fluid pressure to a remote location, such as downhole. The conductors are protected because they are kept away from the tubing wall and can be further protected by the addition of the sealing material.

Abstract: A robotic welding method for making a heat exchanger having tubes and inlet and outlet headers is disclosed. The headers have planar tubesheets and covers. The planar tubesheets are welded to the inlet and outlet ends of tubes. The tubesheets have two co-linear edge portions and a third edge intersecting a line through the two co-linear edge portions. The tubesheet has interior edges defining holes through which the ends of tubes extend. A robotic welding system is provided, with a sensor, a welding apparatus and a controller for controlling the movement and operation of the welding apparatus. The tubesheet is scanned to find the first and second co-linear edge portions, the third intersecting edge portion, and the face of the tubesheet.

Abstract: A steel material and a steel pipe each exhibiting an excellent corrosion resistance in an environment containing a wet carbon dioxide and a small amount of hydrogen sulfide are produced at low cost and with high productivity, a steel slab which contains, in wt %, 0.01 to 0.6% of Si, 0.02 to 1.8% of Mn, 7.5 to 14.0% of Cr, 1.5 to 4.0% of Cu and 0.005 to 0.1% of Al, which reduces C to not more than 0.02%, N to not more than 0.02%, P to not more than 0.025% and S to not more than 0.01%, and whose balance consists of Fe and unavoidable impurities, is heated to a temperature of 1,100.degree. to 1,300.degree. C., hot rolling is finished at a rolling finish temperature of not less than 800.degree. C. and a cumulative rolling reduction quantity at a temperature not more than 1,050.degree. C. is at least 65%, and cooling is carried out at a cooling rate of less than 0.02.degree. C./sec to at least 500.degree. C. so as to substantially convert the metallic structure to ferrite.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous hot rolling method in which a rear end portion of a preceding metal block and a fore end portion of a succeeding metal block are cut and the metal blocks are joined to each other by heating and pressing followed by a finish rolling. A region of each metal block is restrained from a clamping position to the end portion thereof in order to prevent a change in level of the metal blocks in heating and pressing the piece. The end portions of the metal blocks can be thus prevented from deformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot reversing rolling mill for isothermally reducing a metal strip product. The mill includes a hot reversing mill stand with a pair of coilers positioned on opposite sides of the mill stand. At least one heater is positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand with at least one strip cooling unit positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand. A sensor is provided for sensing a strip parameter indicative of strip temperature as well as a controller for controlling each of the heating and cooling units in response to the sensed parameter. The rolling mill of the present invention can be utilized for isothermally rolling multiple passes of a metal strip product on the hot reversing mill.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies. The dies are formed of a material that is substantially transparent to inductive heating. A plurality of electrical conductors are embedded within the die. The electrical conductors are interconnected into one or more electrically conductive coils that surround the workpiece. The electrical conductors are used to produce a time varying magnetic field that is used to heat the workpiece. In one embodiment, the workpiece is a composite material that is susceptible to inductive heating. The composite material includes an electrically conductive material. The time varying magnetic field heats the electrical conductive material, thereby heating the workpiece. The die also includes a forming surface having a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the workpiece.

Abstract: A process for consolidating a composite material comprising the steps of forming a workpiece including a matrix interspersed with fibers, supporting the workpiece by an electrically conductive support, inductively heating the support and thereby conductively heating the workpiece, and applying pressure to the heated workpiece.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing a seal fillet weld on a titanium tube sheet and tube includes an enclosure having a closed top and an open bottom opposite the top. The enclosure is positioned over the tubes to be welded on the tube sheet. A rotating seal welding head is contained within the enclosure for performing the welding operation on the tube and tube sheet. Trapped air is purged from the enclosure and inert gas is provided to the enclosure for creating an inert gas atmosphere for facilitating the welding operation. A rubber gasket is used to seal the enclosure to the tube sheet for ensuring a sealed inert atmosphere.

Abstract: An orbital type welding apparatus adapted for use in welding tubes into a tubesheet by an inert gas electric arc welding process. The welding apparatus includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing, and a pilot probe unit extending from the housing lower side. The pilot probe unit contains a plurality of resiliently-mounted convex projections such as balls, which are spaced apart both circumferentially and longitudinally with respect to the pilot probe unit. The balls are mounted in transverse openings in the pilot unit. The spring-loaded projections serve to center the pilot unit and welding apparatus more quickly and accurately within a tube being electric arc welded to a tubesheet. Alternatively, a pilot probe unit having a plurality of transverse grooves can be used for welding tubes which are essentially round.

Abstract: Induction heating is utilized to heat polymer matrix composites containing electrically conductive fibers. This is accomplished with an apparatus having a mandrel for supporting a composite workpiece and a helical induction coil disposed around the mandrel. The mandrel, workpiece and induction coil are disposed in an autoclave. The mandrel is a hollow, porous member having a port formed therein which is connected to a vacuum. A vacuum bag is hermetically sealed on the mandrel so as to define an enclosure over the workpiece. A power source is connected to the induction coil and, when activated, causes the coil to generate an oscillating magnetic field lying along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The magnetic field induces heat-generating eddy currents in the fibers of the workpiece which are oriented orthogonally to the magnetic field.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies.

Abstract: A method is presented for uniformly heating plastically deformable material, which comprises particles of electrically conducting matter. This method comprises inducing an electric current, or causing hysteresis loss within such material, by using electromagnetic radiation with frequency between about 50 Hertz and about 10 MegaHertz, to cause heating of the material.

Abstract: A drop former includes an outer rotary steel body having circumferentially spaced openings which successively reach a lower discharge position to enable viscous material to drop onto a cooling conveyor from within the outer body. An inner steel body, which can be stationary or rotating, is situated within the outer body to direct viscous material to the openings as the openings reach the discharge portion. An electrical inductive heating coil is situated adjacent one or both of the bodies to inductively heat the body, avoiding excessive heating of the viscous material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming circular weld joints includes a support frame, a motor having a primary drive shaft, a secondary drive shaft coupled to the primary drive shaft, and a hub mounting plate affixed to the support frame. A floating hub assembly is included and a chuck which is coupled to the secondary drive shaft and has at least one radially offset receiving bore. A MIG-type welding tip is rotated in a circular path upon activation of the motor to form a circular weld. Stabilizing guide members and depth guides are provided which extend outwardly from a support frame to ensure proper positioning of the welding tip during the weld forming operation.

Abstract: Shaped metal parts are produced on a continuous basis from a semi-solid metal perform. A plurality of free-standing metal slugs are sequentially heated within an arcuate path defined by a pair of concentrically-positioned solenoid coils to a semi-solid state, such that they may be shaped into a metal part. Means for rotating the slugs during their movement through the arcuate path is also provided.

Abstract: Pipe-welding apparatus with a centering device for centering the pipe-welding apparatus relative to a pipe which is to be welded to an end-plate. The centering device is provided with a tubular center part which supports two pairs of sleeves arranged axially next to one another, the one sleeve in each pair being rigidly connected to the center part and the other sleeve being slidingly displaceable along the center part. A number of balls located between the sleeves in each pair of sleeves is arranged to interact yieldingly with the mutually facing end surfaces of the pair of sleeves, the axial separation of which increases in the direction towards the periphery of the device. The displaceable sleeve is located in a spring sleeve which is mounted on the center part and encloses a spring arranged to press the displaceable sleeve towards the fixed sleeve, the spring sleeve being mounted at a fixed distance from the end surface of the fixed sleeve, which distance is smaller than the diameter of the balls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding tubes to a tube sheet uses a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch assembly that is small enough to be inserted through small access holes in a box header. The welding torch is carried near the end of a rotating mandrel that is supported for rotation within a stationary tube. A centering mechanism is inserted into the tube to ensure proper radial alignment of the welding torch with respect to the tube. At the other end of the mandrel is a mechanism for rotating the mandrel and for supplying electrical power, shielding gas and cooling water to the torch and wire to the weld. Axial spacing of the welding torch is provided by a tube stop device that temporarily engages the end of the tube in combination with an axial adjustment device.

Abstract: A tool having a rotating mast assembly 12 is provided which includes a hollow conductive gas transmitting electrode 14 and a non-hygroscopic ceramic shielding tube 12 which is made of at least 94% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and has a tensile strength of at least 20,000 P.S.I. and an ability to withstand temperatures in excess of 1500.degree. C.

Abstract: A welding apparatus (10) for longitudinally traversing and circumferentially welding within the interior of a tube. A rotating weld tip and gas supplying containing head is mounted on and rotationally driven by a rotor tube (36) extending from the end (90) of a cylindrical housing (12) in which it is mounted. The axially fixed rotor (36) is surrounded by and is driven by a helix drive connection (52,54,56) to a piston (20). The piston (20) reciprocates in a cylindrical bore (14) within the housing (12) in response to selectively applied fluid pressure acting against a spring bias (26). A strain gage (72) on the spring (26) controls the fluid pressure by means of valve ("V") whereby reciprocation of the piston (20) rotates the rotor (36) by means of the helical groove (52) and balls (54). The various parts are hollow to accommodate the necessary wire conductors (70,86) and gas flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding a tube to a tube plate such as in a vehicular radiator core are provided wherein a tube end formed by a tube end sidewall protrudes through an aperture in the plate to provide a joint for welding the sidewall to the plate in the region of the aperture. A welding arc is moved in a selected direction along a path of travel to form a weldment along the joint where the arc encounters the joint, while simultaneously reciprocating the arc back and forth in a crossways direction relative to the selected direction with an amplitude of reciprocation sufficient to encounter at least a portion of the joint lying to at least one side of the path to further form a weldment along the joint portion as the arc moves in the selected direction.

Abstract: A tube-type heat exchanger has two tubesheets, each provided with a multitude of bores, and tubes which extend between the tubesheets at their bores, their hollow interiors opening into the bores. Each tube at its ends is joined to the tubesheets along fillet welds which, being free from crevices, eliminate the build up of deposits and corrosion which commonly develop in the crevices of heat exchangers. To assemble the heat exchanger, each tube is passed through a bore in one of the tubesheets and advanced toward the other tubesheet, its leading end being inserted into a socket at the end of a bore in the other tubesheet. Then the leading end of the tube is welded to the tubesheet at which it is located. This leaves the trailing end of the tube in the bore of the tubesheet through which the tube was initially inserted, and that bore likewise terminates at a socket. The trailing end of the tube is machined down from within the bore until it extends no farther than the socket at the end of the bore.

Abstract: The welding device including an adjustable connecting assembly includes a fastening mechanism (12), having a cylindrical part (12a) to be introduced into a tube (6) of a network, and a jack (12b) for actuating the cylindrical part (12a), and a welding head (11) including a centering bush (28) to be introduced into the tubular piece (8) to be welded and a welding electrode (26) mounted rotatably about the axis of the bush (28). The fastening mechanism (12) and the welding head (11) are connected by means of the adjustable connecting assembly (13) allowing relative translational movements of the welding head (11) in relation to the fastening mechanism (12) in the direction of the perpendicular common to the axis of the cylindrical part (12a) and to the axis of the bush (28) and relative rotational movements about two perpendicular axis (21, 22), one of which is parallel to the direction of translational movement (18).

Abstract: The outer shell of the linking housing (7) of the welding machine consists of a first casing (7a) and a second casing (7b), assembled together through a flat surface (44). The electrode support (10) is mounted to move in rotation in a bearing (30) fixed in the first casing (7a) about an axis of rotation (42). The shaft (40) for transmission of the rotation to the electrode support (10) is mounted to move in rotation in a bearing (28) fixed in the second casing (7b) about an axis of rotation (43). The axes (42) and (43) converge at a point 0 on the surface (44) and form an angle with the axis normal to the surface (44) at 0. The disalignment of the axes (42) and (43) can be adjusted by rotating the casings (7a, 7b) with respect to each other.

Abstract: A welding and/or cutting machine 1 is provided for use on a workpiece 2 formed by a pair of metal sheets 3 in face to face contact. The machine comprises a movable carriage 4 mounted on a pair of drive rollers 5 operable to grip the sheets 3 of the workpiece in the nip of the rollers. The axes of rotation 6 of the rollers 5 are disposed so that as the rollers rotate, forces are generated which cause the carriage 4 to be pulled on to the workpiece 2. The carriage 4 is capable of transporting welding means 7 as shown in FIG. 1, for lip-welding the sheets of the workpiece together, or, alternatively, transporting cutter means 10 for subsequent removal of weld material.

Abstract: An orbital weld head tool (10) has an orbiting and reciprocating carriage (22) for movement around a mandrel (12) fixed to a workpiece. Reciprocation is by a ball nut and screw drive means (70,74) driven by an arc voltage controlled motor (64). Rotation of carriage (22) with its ceramic shielded tungsten weld tip (16) and gas conduit (19) is by means of a separate motor (62) and drive belt (28). Power is supplied from a flexible hose connected through a conductive ball bearing assembly (30) and a conductive shoe (20) for weld tip (16) mounted on carriage (22).

Abstract: The drive mechanism for driving the welding head (17) in rotation in the tube is arranged in a motor casing (18) inserted between first and second sections (16a, 16b) of a flexible tubing. The translational movements of the welding head (17) for positioning it in the tube (3) are provided by the sections (16a) of the flexible tubing. The transmission of rotation between the drive mechanism and the welding head (17) is provided by a flexible transmission member arranged in the second section (16b) of the flexible tubing. The device is intended in particular for welding a small repair liner at any height in a steam generator tube of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: Welding apparatus for positioning a tube with respect to a tubesheet and then tack welding the tube to the tubesheet. The welding apparatus has a pilot which can be positioned within the tube and then expanded so that when the pilot is moved the tube can be moved against a tube stop on the main body of the welding apparatus which can then be moved so that the tube is in a predetermined position with respect to the tubesheet and the welder can be energized to tack weld the tube preparatory to the final welding operation which permanently fixes it to the tubesheet.

Abstract: In the repair of a leaking heat exchanger tube (10) with a repair tube (11) at a braze (12), strain in the exchanger tube (10) is relieved during the brazing operation. Where the exchanger tube is of U-shape both legs (10A and 10B) are treated similarly. Strain relief could also be obtained by a thinning and bulging operation in the exchanger tube at a region which also receives heat from the brazing operation so, on brazing, yield takes place at the bulge.