Methods Patents (Class 219/61)
  • Patent number: 6974931
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi process welding includes providing a controlled short circuit output and a pulse output in response to a user selection across a workpiece output stud and a torch output stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd E. Holverson, Richard M. Hutchison, James L. Uecker
  • Patent number: 6953147
    Abstract: A method for joining a tube to a member. A tube having a flange is obtained, and a member is obtained. The tube and the member are positioned with the flange contacting the member either directly or indirectly through an intervening joining material. The tube and/or the member are locally heated proximate the contact of the flange and the member without substantially heating the tube and/or the member apart from proximate the contact of the flange and the member. In one example, the local heating is welding, with or without a filler material, such as resistance welding, laser-beam welding or electron-beam welding. In another example, the local heating is brazing. In an additional example, a curable adhesive joining material is placed on the flange and/or the member, wherein the adhesive is located between and directly contacts the flange and the member, and wherein the local heating cures the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Richard W. Marczewski
  • Patent number: 6953907
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube having a flange is obtained, and a member is obtained. The tube and the member are positioned with the flange contacting the member directly and/or indirectly through an intervening welding/brazing joining material. The flange and/or the member is segmented and their contact is a segmented contact at spaced-apart contact areas between the flange and the member. A resistance welding/brazing current path is created,through the tube and the member at a first contact area creating a first weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the flange and at least some of the member. Then, a resistance welding/brazing current path is created through the tube and the member at a different second contact area creating a second weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the flange and at least some of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Richard W. Marczewski
  • Patent number: 6948648
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a constructing misting manifold is disclosed that uses a standardized intermediate member joined to tubing. The method allows mass production, particularly with use of orbital welding, easy alignment of the component part and high quality welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro Fog, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal N. Armstrong, Allen A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6924452
    Abstract: A welding device and a welding method for butt welding two pipes to be welded are provided. The welding device comprises a welding device body, having an electrode unit with a welding electrode and a fixing clamp for holding the pipes to be welded; and electrode position indicating means for indicating a position of the welding electrode with respect to the pipes to be welded. The electrode position indicating means is capable of irradiating an indicating light to the pipes to be welded at the position corresponding to the welding electrode. Therefore, the positions of the butt edge surfaces of the pipes and the welding electrode can be easily and correctly consistent so as to perform a good welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Kimura
  • Patent number: 6875944
    Abstract: A method for resistance welding/brazing a tube to a container. A tube is obtained having an axially-extending first portion and a tube form which extends transversely from the first portion. A container is obtained having an orifice. A support tool is obtained with an expandable head. The tube form is positioned proximate the outer surface of the container and surrounding the orifice. The unexpanded head of the support tool is passed through the orifice of the container. The head of the support tool is expanded inside the container. The inner surface of the container is supported with the expanded head of the support tool. A resistance current path is created through the tube form and the container creating a weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the tube form and at least some of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra
  • Patent number: 6858813
    Abstract: A process for applying a weld overlay to a tube with a single pass of a weld head. An inverter-type alternating current pulsed power source, composed of a primary inverter and a secondary inverter, is used to control the melting rate of welding wire during welding of the overlay to the tube. The primary inverter controls the value of output current, and the second inverter changes the polarity of output current between electrode negative. For a given welding current, the wire melting rate increases significantly as the electrode negative ratio increases, and this makes a relatively high welding speed attainable. Increasing the electrode negative ratio at a fixed, predetermined wire feed rate decreases the weld penetration depth, which correspondingly lowers the dilution rate and results in a smooth and narrow welding bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Howard Derrick Keller, Joseph Riley Prince
  • Patent number: 6852945
    Abstract: A method of welding together the parts of a boiler tube wall panel includes placing at least two parts of the panel to be welded together along a weld line and adjacent each other, and forming a weld along the weld line using a laser beam. The method can advantageously be used to weld boiler tube wall panels solely from one side of the panel. A GMAW process can also be used in combination with the laser beam to form the weld. Where the boiler tube wall panel includes a membrane between tubes, the membrane may be beveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: George H. Harth, III
  • Patent number: 6847001
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube is obtained having a longitudinal axis and having an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a fold, and wherein the fold includes longitudinally-spaced-apart first and second fold portions. A member (such as, but not limited to, a plate or a second tube) is obtained. The tube and the member are disposed with the end portion contacting the member. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the member proximate the end portion and the end portion is relatively longitudinally moved deformingly against the member creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the end portion and at least some of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Douglas J. Heller, Michael H. Froning
  • Publication number: 20040217096
    Abstract: A first embodiment of the present application is directed to a method and system used to weld a cylindrical workpiece. A substantially cylindrical workpiece is loaded into a workpiece support, and a robotic welding arm is positioned located at a start position. A value representing a size of the cylindrical workpiece is input into a robot controller via a system interface. Inputting of the size value to the robotic interface obtains a control program. Operation of the obtained control program is initiated by an operator, causing the robot arm to move a preprogrammed distance toward a work surface of the workpiece. Then a welding process is performed by the welder carried on the robot arm in accordance with the control program. The process includes initiating operation of the welder, and moving the welder in a pattern appropriate for the welding operation. The workpiece and welder are moved relative to each other so as to perform the welding process as determined by the control program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Geoff M. Lipnevicius
  • Patent number: 6806442
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a heatable section of a tubular heater to a cold section, the heatable section includes an outer sheath, which has a heating element therein. The cold section includes an outer sheath which has a cold pin therein. The apparatus comprises an enclosure defining a chamber which further defines opposed openings in communication with the chamber. A welding tip extends into the chamber and is capable of melting the cold pin and welding the ends of the heatable and cold sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: George B. Desloge
  • Patent number: 6737601
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding together two pipes or plates. The bodies to be welded are placed mutually in line against each other while leaving clear a weld groove. The weld groove is filled with more than one welding layer by a welding torch moved in a longitudinal direction of the weld groove, and wherein two welding layers are laid in one welding pass by two welding torches placed successively at a predetermined fixed distance in the longitudinal direction of the weld groove, so that a time-saving is achieved in the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Allseas Group S.A.
    Inventors: Gerardus Maria Kramer, Maarten Willem Kastelein
  • Patent number: 6717092
    Abstract: A treatment instrument includes a first coil and a second coil that is different from said first coil. The first and second coils are connected to each other. An operation wire is inserted in the first and second coils, and a tip end of the wire is connected to a treatment device. Upon movement of the wire, the treatment device operates. A method of manufacturing such a treatment instrument includes inserting one end of the first coil and one end of the second coil in a connection pipe from opposite ends thereof, exposing both ends of the connection pipe and corresponding portions of the first and second coils. The portions exposed to the arc columns are melted and connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Obata, Kikuo Iwasaka, Shinichi Matsuno, Hajime Yoshino, Akira Sugiyama, Hidehito Kurosawa, Shigeru Ogawa, Hideo Nanba
  • Patent number: 6713707
    Abstract: A welding material is constructed and arranged to be positioned in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material includes at least one welding material member constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the exterior surface of the first weldable member and then positioned between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Victor J. Malczewski
  • Publication number: 20040056002
    Abstract: A method of welding reinforcement steel bars (rebar) and assembly of fusion-welded rebar into panel assemblies that are self-stabilizing to withstand the rigors of transport to and positioning within construction sites. The rebar welding method generates fusion welds in such a manner that the weld imparts stability and strength to the welded rebar assemblies. The rebar welds permit the assembling of larger and more varied rebar panel configurations without the need for tie wire or other coupling devices. Further, the welded panels allow positioning of large rebar configurations, insuring that the spacing of the individual bars exceeds all required tolerances. The self-stabilizing fusion rebar welding process allows a more efficient, flexible and rapid method of rebar panel construction by using assembly systems on mobilized trailers or at stationary locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Domenic Vittone
  • Patent number: 6703577
    Abstract: A method of securing a cap on a piston body includes forming a first annular V-shaped surface at an open end of a cylindrical piston body; forming a second annular V-shaped surface on an annular surface of an oil conduit in the interior center of the piston body; forming a cap to close the open end of the piston body and forming a pair of annular surfaces therein which are flat in shape and in contact with first and second annular V-shaped surfaces on the piston body; placing the cap over the open end of the piston body and thereby placing the annular surface on the cap and the body in close intimate contacting relation; and welding the respective annular surface of the cap and the piston body together by subjecting the cap and body to an extreme high current density to fuse respective contacting annular surfaces together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Stoppek
  • Patent number: 6703093
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a friction welded component, and a method of manufacture for such a component, comprising a pair of upstanding tubular members (6,8) which are friction welded at their respective end cross-sections, in coaxial concentric relationship, to a surface of a thin walled member (4). A reinforcement means (10) is provided in the region between the tubular members such that loads acting on the tubular members are more evenly distributed to the thin walled member. The wall thickness of the thin walled member is substantially the same as or greater than the wall thickness of the tubular members The invention finds particular application in the fabrication of bosses to gas turbine aero-engine casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Plc
    Inventor: Derek John Foster
  • Patent number: 6683268
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a welded pipe from a metal strip having two longitudinal edges approximately parallel to each other, which are brought together so as to come approximately into contact with each other and thus form an unwelded pre-tube, the pre-tube then being welded in order to join the edges together. The two edges are welded together to obtain a welded metal pipe by using, approximately simultaneously, at least one laser beam and at least one electric arc, that is to say using a hybrid arc/laser, preferably plasma/laser, welding process. This process can be used to produce weld seams of rectilinear, helicoidal or spiraled shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide-Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Francis Briand, Christian Bonnet
  • Publication number: 20030234241
    Abstract: A method of welding together the parts of a boiler tube wall panel includes placing at least two parts of the panel to be welded together along a weld line and adjacent each other, and forming a weld along the weld line using a laser beam. The method can advantageously be used to weld boiler tube wall panels solely from one side of the panel. A GMAW process can also be used in combination with the laser beam to form the weld. Where the boiler tube wall panel includes a membrane between tubes, the membrane may be beveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: George H. Harth
  • Publication number: 20030205560
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a heatable section of a tubular heater to a cold section, the heatable section includes an outer sheath, which has a heating element therein. The cold section includes an outer sheath which has a cold pin therein. The apparatus comprises an enclosure defining a chamber which further defines opposed openings in communication with the chamber. A welding tip extends into the chamber and is capable of melting the cold pin and welding the ends of the heatable and cold sections together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: George B. Desloge
  • Patent number: 6639194
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multiple walled tube comprising a rolling of a plated metal strip through at least two complete revolutions to form a tube having at least a double wall which has a plated layer on the inside of the tube, said rolling being followed by a heating of the tube to cause the surface of the tube walls, which are in contact with one another, to be brazed and wherein said metal strip is plated on one side, the other side being formed by the steel of the metal strip and wherein said brazing is realised by brazing directly the plated side on the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems Limited
    Inventors: Lamande Pascal, Pierini Vincenzo, Volvert Albert
  • Patent number: 6621037
    Abstract: A welding material assembly is constructed and arranged to position a welding material in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material assembly includes at least one welding material member mounted on a flexible carrier sheet in a predetermined arrangement with each welding material member being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the sheet such that when the sheet is placed between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be welded, each welding material member is electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Ralph Miller
  • Publication number: 20030163918
    Abstract: In manufacturing an exhaust pipe of two-passage construction, a metallic plate having a first end and a second end respectively elongated in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe is prepared. The metallic plate is bent into a substantially S shape in cross section. It has a diametrically extending central partition plate and a substantially semicircular peripheral wall on each lateral side of said partition plate in such a manner that a groove of substantially V shape in cross section having a substantially closed end on a radially inner side and an open end on a radially outer side is formed at each diametrically outer portion of the partition plate. A target is provided so as to elongate along the groove in a manner to extend substantially radially outward from the closed end. A welding arc is generated between the target and a welding gun disposed on a side of the open end such that the substantially closed end and the target are welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHI KAISHA YUTAKA GIGEN
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yoshitoshi, Hiroto Yanagibayashi, Hirokazu Shirai, Akihiro Suzuki, Noriyuki Sato, Takeshi Sasagase, Fumio Hosoda, Kazuo Ishii, Masayuki Uegane, Takeshi Munemura, Yoshihiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6608285
    Abstract: Hybrid welding process using a laser beam and an electric arc to produce a weld bead. The electric arc is established between an electrode connected to a first pole of a current source and at least one workpiece to be welded and connected to a second pole of a current source via at least one electrically conducting earth contactor in contact with the workpiece to be welded. To obtain effective welding, a contact is made between the earth contactor and the workpiece to be welded laterally and/or upstream of the point of impingement of the electric arc on the workpiece(s) to be welded, and considering the direction of formation of the welded joint, so as to balance the forces associated with the induced electromagnetic field acting on the puddle of liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Philippe Lefebvre, Jean-Marie Fortain, Christian Bonnet
  • Patent number: 6598294
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a catalyst converter includes the steps of: obtaining a tubular member by rolling up a metallic plate member of a rectangular shape having ear portions at four corners thereof such that opposing ones of the ear portions abut against each other, and by effecting butt welding for both ends of the plate member; cutting off projecting portions formed by the ear portions at both ends of a weld of the tubular member; incorporating a catalyst carrier into the tubular member with the projecting portions cut off; effecting drawing for both end portions of the tubular member with the catalyst carrier incorporated therein; and attaching a pair of flanges, respectively, to the both end portions of the tubular member subjected to drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuhiro Nogami
  • Patent number: 6596957
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus (150), and a prefabricated replacement tube (108) are provided for repairing a defect (112) in a tube (102), such as in a waterwall (100). In the method, a replacement tube (108) is prefabricated having a wall (116), a central opening (114) extending through a portion thereof, and a predetermined length. A length of the tube (102), including the defect (112), equal to the predetermined length is removed. The replacement tube (108) is positioned between stubs (126, 128) of the tube (102), and a rotatable torch (152) of an automated welding apparatus (150) inserted through the opening (114) to align with a joint between an end (118, 120) of the replacement tube and a stub (126, 128). The torch (152) is rotated to join it to the stub (126, 128) along the entire joint. The torch (152) is then removed, turned 180 degrees, and reinserted to weld the remaining joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Gandy, James William Hales, William Frederick Newell, Jr., Kent K. Coleman, Gregory J. Frederick, Richard M. Tilley
  • Publication number: 20030094440
    Abstract: A method, a apparatus (150) and a prefabricated replacement tube (108) are provided for repairing a defect (112) in a tube (102), such as in a waterwall (100). In the method, a replacement tube (108) is prefabricated having a wall (116), a central opening (114) extending through a portion thereof and a predetermined length. A length of the tube (102), including the defect (112), equal to the predetermined length is removed. The replacement tube (108) is positioned between stubs (126, 128) of the tube (102), and a rotatable torch (152) of an automated welding apparatus (150) inserted through the opening (114) to align with a joint between an end (118, 112) of the replacement tube and a stub (126, 128). The torch (152) is rotated to join it to the stub (126, 128) along the entire joint. The torch (152) is then removed, turned 180 degrees, and reinserted to weld the remaining joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: David Wayne Gandy, James William Hales, William Frederick Newell, Kent K. Coleman, Gregory J. Frederick, Richard M. Tilley
  • Patent number: 6518533
    Abstract: High strength steel tube is made from a full hard, cold rolled steel sheet having a chemistry compliant to S.A.E. J 403 grade 1026. The high strength of the tube is a result of specified thermal-mechanical processing of hot rolled sheet followed by controlled percent cold rolled reduction, and does not require post-welding thermal heat treatment and/or cold drawing processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: LTV Steel Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Haghiri
  • Patent number: 6518545
    Abstract: A process for control of a butt welding of tubes is disclosed wherein readily measurable parameters of a process of welding are read, voltage and current, and parameters such as impedance or time interval across a portion of a pulse are derived from the voltage and current. The derived values are then used in conjunction with parameters of the welding machine to set the values of the welding machine and the torch or torches connected to it to control the power of penetration of a welding arc for no piercing but with penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Serimer Dasa
    Inventors: Claude Richard, Gilles Richard
  • Publication number: 20020195426
    Abstract: A boss for attaching to a manufactured hole in a pipe has a generally cylindrical hollow body, with an external surface and an internal surface, a first end and a second end. The second end has a smaller external diameter than a diameter of the external surface. The second end aligns with the hole, and has pointed protrusions, for concentrating a weld spark during welding. The external surface is stepped forming a larger diameter portion adjacent the first end and a smaller diameter portion adjacent the second end. The smaller diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the second end. Alternatively, the second end has a bevelled portion cooperating with a pointed end of the hole, or a skirt generally conforming to the profile of the pipe, the skirt having pointed protrusions, for concentrating a weld spark during welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kailash C. Vasudeva, Maz A. Hasan
  • Publication number: 20020175148
    Abstract: In a process for producing a welded joint between the ends of two metal strips in which the butted ends are connected by means of a TIG welder that can be moved perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the metal strips, one sheet metal piece each is placed in the area of the butt joint along the longitudinal sides of the metal strips. The two sheet metal pieces are tack-welded to the longitudinal edges of the metal strips in the joint area by means of a spot weld of the TIG welding unit. The strip ends are welded together by moving the welder along the joint edges. The welder is activated on one of the sheet metal pieces and moved up to the opposite sheet metal piece, and the two sheet metal pieces are removed from the longitudinal sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: NEXANS
    Inventors: Michael Meyer, Christian Frohne, Friedrich Harten
  • Patent number: 6446856
    Abstract: A method of welding a hollow member and an insert member to form a composite member including a hollow member and insertion member requiring a high dimensional accuracy in the end-to-end distance in the axial direction and requiring a reliable concentricity in the center axes of the hollow member and insertion member, including preparing a hollow member and insertion member, inserting the insertion member in the hollow member, providing spot welds at an overlap portion where the hollow member and insertion member overlap to correct the axial end-to-end distance of the hollow member and the insertion member, and providing a partial weld at an overlap portion where the hollow member and insertion member overlap to correct the concentricity of the hollow member and the insertion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Shirai, Takafumi Sato, Eiji Iwanari, Yoshinori Ohmi
  • Patent number: 6429405
    Abstract: Two pipes are arranged, when forming a deep sea pipeline, end to end thereby defining a circumferentially extending narrow angled (less than 10 degrees) groove. Two arc welding torches are arranged directly adjacent to each other on a single carriage that moves around the pipes, thereby forming a twin arc welding system. The position of the arc of each torch is independently oscillated between the walls of the groove to form a weld therein. The arcs are guided automatically by an electronic guidance system, wherein electrical characteristics (such as arc current voltage and/or impedance) of the welding of each torch with regard to one of the two pipes are compared with the corresponding electrical characteristics relating to the other of the pipes. The position of an arc of a torch may thus be aligned with the center line of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Belloni, Renato Bonasorte
  • Patent number: 6410876
    Abstract: The method comprises a first-run weld performed from the outside without pads for backing the weld pool, which is obtained by: preparing a welding bevel (C) having a closed bottom by arranging, so that they are mutually adjacent, two pipe segments (T-T′) having symmetrical welding bevel half-profiles (p-p′) with respective annular abutment surfaces (sp-sp′) which are meant to form, by arranging them mutually adjacent so as to obtain front contact, the closed bottom of the welding bevel (C), the closed bottom being further delimited by a groove (SV) which has a maximum chord of preset width (H); performing the first welding run with one or more welding torches which are supplied with a welding wire whose diameter “d” is dependent on the maximum chord (H) of the bottom groove (SV) of the welding bevel (C); maintaining, during the first welding run, the welding arc at a controlled length, by relating the distance (h) between the end of the welding wire and the vertex of the bottom g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: P.W.T. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fernando Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 6392193
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for achieving single-sided girth welds which adapt to and compensate for inherent geometrically induced difficulties in single-side girth welding applications. The inherent geometrically induced difficulties include those caused by axial misalignment, angular misalignment, and mismatched ovality. The present invention's apparatus and method minimize root defects due to undercut, incomplete penetration, excess penetration, or lack of fusion. The present invention provides accordingly limits defects introduced during the welding process and thus limiting fatigue failures. The present invention does not require the use of backing strips. The present invention further utilizes an improved lineup clamp for use in single-sided girth welding which does not cause damage to the interior of the pipes being welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Frank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeepkumar Kirshan Mallenahalli, Dale J. Castille
  • Patent number: 6386427
    Abstract: In the present invention, by the method using a backing material such as copper, which is not melted by a welding heat source, in an end face of a member without using a backing metal or consumable backing material at a joint welding time, overlay welding is performed to increase a plate thickness and a plate width. Thereafter, edge preparation including a member of a designed joint weld location and an overlay weld is performed, and the groove processed portion is placed to an opponent member to provide joint welding in order to obtain an effective throat depth more than a plate thickness and a plate width of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Machida Steel Structure Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Iwago, Masayoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 6365865
    Abstract: A welding process in which fixture pipes 3 are resistance welded to opposite ends of a hollow stabilizer's suspension arm 1 for a vehicle and thereafter, these two parts are subjected to arc welding, but with a first step of the ends of the hollow stabilizer's suspension arm upset to form thick wall portions before resistance welding and arc welding are performed. The initial resistance welding retains the two parts in place for the arc welding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Chuohatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotusgu Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 6355899
    Abstract: A tube clamping assembly comprising a first portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base, and a second portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base. The first and second portions are coupled to each other such that the portions may be adjusted relative each other. In another embodiment, the invention is a tube clamping assembly comprising a base, and a first movable clamp arm and a first stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween. The tube clamping assembly further comprises a second movable clamp arm and a second stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween, wherein at least one of the stationary clamp arms is removably coupled to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: James M. Kane, Ronald K. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20020008094
    Abstract: Process for welding one or more metal workpieces to be joined together by producing at least one welded joint between the edges to be welded of the said metal workpiece or workpieces, the said welded joint being obtained by using at least one laser beam and at least one electric arc, in which process, during welding of the joint, at least one part of the welding zone comprising at least one part of said welded joint is shielded during the operation with at least one shielding atmosphere formed by a gas mixture consisting of argon and/or helium with a content greater than or equal to 70% by volume; and at least one additional compound chosen from H2, O2, CO2 and N2 with a content of 0 to 30% by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: L'Air Liquid, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Explooitation des Procedes Georges
    Inventors: Francis Briand, Christian Bonnet, Philippe Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20020005393
    Abstract: A Multi-Electrode Welding System for performing high-precision welding and joining is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises a sealed chamber (13) which is enclosed by a weld head frame (11), a removable lid (12) and a chamber base (14). A generally tubular workpiece (not shown) is placed in a pair of semi-annular inserts (16) and extends into the sealed chamber (13), which is filled with an inert gas. In one embodiment, a weld head rotor (18) revolves around the longitudinal axis defined by the workpiece, and controls the motion of an inside electrode (24A) and an outside electrode (24B), which are held by inside and outside electrode holders (20 & 22). Arc welding is performed by the electrodes (24A & 24B) as they revolve around the workpiece. Inside and outside welding may be performed simultaneously. The invention provides for precise control of the relative position of the electrodes, allowing one electrode to trail the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: RODERICK G. ROHRBERG
  • Publication number: 20010052511
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a welded pipe from a metal strip having two longitudinal edges approximately parallel to each other, which are brought together so as to come approximately into contact with each other and thus form an unwelded pre-tube, the pre-tube then being welded in order to join the said edges together. The two edges are welded together to obtain a welded metal pipe by using, approximately simultaneously, at least one laser beam and at least one electric arc, that is to say using a hybrid arc/laser, preferably plasma/laser, welding process. This process can be used to produce weld seams of rectilinear, helicoidal or spiralled shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide and La Soudure Autogene Francaise
    Inventors: Francis Briand, Christian Bonnet
  • Publication number: 20010037836
    Abstract: In manufacturing an exhaust pipe of two-passage construction, a metallic plate having a first end and a second end respectively elongated in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe is prepared. The metallic plate is bent into a substantially S shape in cross section. It has a diametrically extending central partition plate and a substantially semicircular peripheral wall on each lateral side of said partition plate in such a manner that a groove of substantially V shape in cross section having a substantially closed end on a radially inner side and an open end on a radially outer side is formed at each diametrically outer portion of the partition plate. A target is provided so as to elongate along the groove in a manner to extend substantially radially outward from the closed end. A welding arc is generated between the target and a welding gun disposed on a side of the open end such that the substantially closed end and the target are welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yoshitoshi, Hiroto Yanagibayashi, Hirokazu Shirai, Akihiro Suzuki, Noriyuki Sato, Takeshi Sasagase, Fumio Hosoda, Kazuo Ishii, Masayuki Uegane, Takeshi Munemura, Yoshihiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6313426
    Abstract: A welding apparatus, for welding pipe sections (1, 2) together to form an underwater pipeline, is arranged to weld pipe sections (1, 2) together when they are in a generally upright orientation with the bottom of an upper pipe section (2) abutting the top of a lower pipe section (1) that defines the end of a pipeline. The welding apparatus includes a rotary equipment holder (5) mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis (8) and having a central opening (5A) through which pipe sections (1, 2) are able to pass as a pipeline is laid, a plurality of welding heads (12) angularly spaced about the rotary equipment holder (5), each head (12) being associated with a respective sector of the rotary equipment holder, and a welding head guide assembly (11) for fixing around a pipe section (1). The guide assembly (11) includes a guide track (14) for guiding movement of each of the welding heads (12) around the pipe section (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Belloni, Renato Bonasorte
  • Publication number: 20010017292
    Abstract: A welding apparatus, for welding pipe sections (1, 2) together to form an underwater pipeline, is arranged to weld pipe sections (1, 2) together when they are in a generally upright orientation with the bottom of an upper pipe section (2) abutting the top of a lower pipe section (1) that defines the end of a pipeline. The welding apparatus includes a rotary equipment holder (5) mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis (8) and having a central opening (5A) through which pipe sections (1, 2) are able to pass as a pipeline is laid, a plurality of welding heads (12) angularly spaced about the rotary equipment holder (5), each head (12) being associated with a respective sector of the rotary equipment holder, and a welding head guide assembly (11) for fixing around a pipe section (1). The guide assembly (11) includes a guide track (14) for guiding movement of each of the welding heads (12) around the pipe section (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Antonio Belloni, Renato Bonasorte
  • Publication number: 20010015349
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) and method of forming a deep sea pipeline or a cross country pipeline by welding pipes together to form the pipeline. Two pipes (2, 4) are arranged so that their ends (26, 27) define a circumferentially extending narrow angled (less than 10 degrees) groove (28). At least two arc welding torches (1) are arranged directly adjacent to each other on a single carriage that moves around the pipes, to form a twin arc welding system. The arcs of the torches (1) form a weld (3) in the groove. The carriage is moved around the pipe, the torches thus moving around the pipe with the same speed. Each torch (1) is independently oscillated so that the position of its arc oscillates between the walls of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Antonio Belloni, Renato Bonasorte
  • Publication number: 20010008228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part (10) which is configured by initially forming a tubular body (2) with a soldered flange (7). Subsequently, the body (2) is shaped in a mold (8) by securing the flange (7) under high internal pressure to shape the form part or the preform (10). Thus, preforms with a secured flange that can be used to connect said preforms to other parts can be easily obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: MARKUS MEIER, WERNER URECH
  • Patent number: 6222148
    Abstract: The method for prodicing a multilayer thin-walled bellows of stainless steel consists of manufacturing round billets by welding the sheets, packing the round billets into a multilayer bank, corrugating the bank for forming the multilayer bellows and the bellows tightness testing. The round billets are manufactured of the preliminary cut sheets of given dimensions by their electric arc pulsed gas-shielded welding. The packed multilayer bank is welded from two sides over the end faces and subjected to heat treatment by its heating up to the temperature of 1000-1130° C. in the shielding medium and holding at this temperature during 20-45 minutes with subsequent cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Oykrutoe Aktsioneroe Obschestvo “Nauchno-Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie”Energomash Imeni Akademika V. P. Glushkon
    Inventors: Viktor Nikonorovich Semenov, Vladimir Ilich Bobkov, Mikhail Ivanovich Zykov, Valentin Georgievich Polushin, Boris Ivanovich Katorgin, Gennady Grigorievich Derkach, Vladimir Konstantinovich Chvanov, Jury Vasilievich Movchan, Jury Aleksandrovich Pestov, Pavel Ivanovich Ogibalin, Tatiana Mikhailovna Avsenjuk, Alexandr Nikolaevich Vycherov
  • Patent number: 6211489
    Abstract: A press welding process which can be used in such industries as car-making, production of hot-water boilers, industrial and civil construction, in construction of pipelines using small and medium diameter pipes, for welding parts with a solid and developed cross-section, as well as for joining parts to form a T-joint. A magnetically impelled arc butt welding is achieved, that, during heating, the controlled continuous displacement of the parts being welded is performed where the gap between the parts edges is kept constant. The value of the welding arc voltage is used as the parameter for the gap size adjustment, and the moment of achievement of the required temperature on the edges of parts being welded, is determined by the length of the relative displacement of the parts, and when the assigned values of displacement have been reached, the speed of the arc movement along the edges of the parts being welded, is programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
    Inventors: Sergei Ivanovich Kuchuk-Yatsenko, Vadim Yurjevich Ignatenko, Vladimir Stanislavovich Kachinskii, Mikhail Pavlovich Koval
  • Patent number: 6204478
    Abstract: A method of welding the ends of two pipes at the open root between the spaced ends by an STT electric arc welder, which comprises: selecting a welding wire having 0.06-0.15% by weight carbon, 0.90-1.40% by weight manganese, and 0.45-0.75% by weight silicon, as well as phosphorous, copper, stainless steel alloys and sulfur; maintaining the sulfur at a given percentage level of the selected wire in the specific range of 0.015 to 0.035% by weight; and maintaining said phosphorous at a given percentage level of said selected wire in the specific range of less than about 0.015%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Nicholson, Elliott K. Stava
  • Patent number: 6188037
    Abstract: The present invention is a welded high-strength steel structure having a TS of not less than 900 MPa and excellent low-temperature toughness and a method of manufacturing the steel structure. The base steel is formed of a mixed structure of martensite and lower bainite and has a TS of not less than 900 MPa, and the weld metal is steel which has the following elements based on % by weight: C: 0.01% to 0.15%; Si: 0.02% to 0.6%; Mn: 0.6% to 3%; Al: 0.004% to 0.08%; Ti: 0.003% to 0.03%; O (oxygen): not greater than 0.06%; B: 0.0002% to 0.00%; and as optional components, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, and Nb and which satisfies the following two equations: 0.25 ≦ Pcm ≦ 0.32 and 0.6 ≦ Al/O (oxygen) ≦ 1.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hamada, Yu-ichi Komizo, Takeshi Moncho