Abstract: The invention relates to a pipeline internal centering device for centering a first pipe (28) relative to a second pipe (30), having a centering unit (12) for aligning the second pipe (30) relative to the first pipe (28), and having a transport device (14) for moving along a longitudinal axis (L) of the pipeline internal centering device (10). According to the invention, a rotary device (48) is provided by means of which the pipeline internal centering device (10) can be rotated about its longitudinal axis (L).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securement of parts. One embodiment is a method for securing a part during fabrication. The method includes forming an interference fit between a pin and a wall defining a hole, supporting a weight of the part with the interference fit, and rotating the part around an axis of the part while the weight of the part is supported.

Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Abstract: An alignment tool for positioning and aligning the adjacent ends of pipes in optimum desired relation for joining the tubular sections by welding. The alignment tool comprises a first and second annularly shaped clamping rings and a plurality of swivel assemblies connecting and circumferentially spaced about the first and second clamping rings, wherein the swivel assemblies adjust the distance between the first and second clamping rings and adjust the first and second clamping rings transversely and axially with respect to each other. Each swivel assembly comprises a first swivel portion connected to the first clamping ring, a second swivel portion connected to the second clamping ring, and a threaded bolt extending through the first swivel portion and the second swivel portion.

Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning an input shaft of a wind turbine generator with an output shaft of a wind turbine are disclosed. Preferably, the method includes placing a push plate of a wind turbine alignment tool into pressing contact with a selected support flange of a wind turbine generator identified by a misalignment measurement device. With the push plate positioned, an indexing means of the wind turbine alignment tool is advanced along an adjustment link member of the wind turbine alignment tool to impart an alignment force onto the selected support flange to align the input shaft of the wind turbine generator with the output shaft of the wind turbine. The method preferably concludes by rechecking the alignment of the input shaft of the wind turbine generator with the output shaft of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system and method for friction stir welding of small diameter tubing, wherein the small diameter tubing is held in a correct position with a grasp sufficient to perform FSW when the tubing is comprised of high melting temperature materials, wherein the small diameter tubing can be rotated by the positioning and holding system while a FSW tool is held stationary, or vice versa, wherein internal mandrels are also described which can fit inside the smaller dimensions of the small diameter tubing and expand to provide a counter force to prevent deformation of the tubing when forces are applied by the FSW tool, wherein new FSW tool geometries are also described which enable the FSW tool to direct more heat on a tool/workpiece interface to counteract a lack of contact between the FSW shoulder and the workpiece because of tube curvature, and wherein the FSW tool is positioned on a small diameter tube by trailing the joint to provide desirable heating at the joint/workpiece interface and surface finishing.

Abstract: A device for centering and internal clamping of tubular parts such as metal conduits, placed end-to-end so as to be welded to form metal pipelines is provided.

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

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.

Abstract: Two pipes are arranged end to end, the pipes being shaped such that a groove is defined between the ends of the pipe. A plurality of welding torches are used to weld in the groove, such that at least some of the welding torches perform a first welding pass, the welding characteristics of the torches are adjusted and at least some of the welding torches are used to perform a second welding pass. At least one torch welds in a first sector in the first welding pass and a second sector in the second welding pass, the second sector being different to the first. The sectors might overlap or might not overlap.

Abstract: Weld stress compensation system and method comprising: 1) a primary tube/rod clamp; 2) a secondary tube/rod clamp for selectively and accurately, angularly positioning the secondary tube relative to the primary tube. The secondary clamp is transferable while a secondary tube/rod is clamped therein to: 3) a saddle cutting fixture to produce a concave, relieved portion in the end of the secondary tube/rod with flanking flanges that fit precisely over the primary tube at the join intersection; 4) a miter-cut fixture for miter cutting of tube/rod ends to fit flat surfaces or conversely-cut tubes/rods for angular joins; and 5) a welding fixture for precise angular positioning of a miter cut tube/rod to a deck, wall, or stair plate. The primary clamp includes an adjustable pressure pad that applies pressure to the side of the primary tube opposite the secondary tube weld join line thereby preventing warping due to weld stresses.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of welding track clamps are disclosed herein. These track clamps provide several new features including, without limitation, alternate methods and apparatuses for adjusting clamping force and assemblies that provide for increased clamping force for rigidity and stability of welding tracks. The invention further provides ease of use and assembly/dissassembly.

Abstract: A remote-controlled joining system for subsea pipelines for joining two smooth pipeline ends (pipe ends) that are arranged facing in line a distance apart. The system includes an apparatus arranged to move at least one of the pipeline ends sideways and in the longitudinal direction. The joining system includes a pipe sleeve having internal seals for sealing against each pipeline surface. The pipe ends are inserted into the sleeve to a facing position within the seals. The system also includes a welding clamp with an integrated welding tool for remotely welding of a first end of the pipe sleeve to the first pipeline and a second end of the pipe sleeve to the second pipeline. The welding clamp can be remotely fastened sealingly around the pipe ends and the sleeve and is equipped with means for establishing and maintaining a welding atmosphere in a volume that is delimited by the seals of the clamp and the seals of the sleeve.

Abstract: A purge dam for retaining a purge gas around a weld zone includes a purge dam structure configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to the weld zone. The purge dam includes a main blocking portion configured to substantially block the air passage. The purge dam structure further includes a wall portion configured to engage the air passage for attachment. Adhesive can be optionally provided on the wall portion to facilitate the air passage attachment. Some or all of the purge dam structure may be formed as a multi-layer structure that includes one or more layers of water degradable paper and one or more layers of water degradable polymer. If present, the optional adhesive may be applied to the water degradable polymer layer. The purge dam may be installed by placing the purge dam in the air passage and adhering the wall portion thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed therein are an apparatus for and a method of automatically welding a flange to a guide thimble tube in a nuclear fuel assembly. The automatic welding apparatus includes: a welding part located on an axially conveying line of a tube for welding a welded surface of the tube inserted thereinto and a welded surface of a flange; a flange supplying part for supplying the flange at a tube inlet of the welding part onto the axially conveying line; and a conveying part mounted on the axially conveying line in such a way as to move the tube and the flange on the axially conveying line, so that they are inserted into and drawn from the welding part.

Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.

Abstract: Inflatable rings for supporting friction welding workpieces, and associated systems and methods. A support assembly for joining multiple workpieces in a representative embodiment includes a carriage and a generally ring-shaped support member that in turn includes a body and at least one inflatable member carried by the body and positioned to expand from a first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: A rack feeds sticks of pipe to a machine for serial fusion to the trailing end of a pipeline. Multiple independent spaced apart feeders support transverse bundles of sticks of pipe on beams. Legs which support the beams above the ground have jacks to vary the height and slope of the beams. The slope is set so that sticks tend to roll toward the lower front end of the beam where roller assemblies receive the sticks of pipe as they are manually rolled, one at a time, off the beams. All of the rack components are modular and interchangeably connectable so that the feeder can be quickly adapted for a variety of conditions and applications.

Abstract: A boiler wall tube tool comprises a pair of opposed clamp members, each one of the clamp members having a nose intermediately disposed between a recess and a planar or inclined wall, and an aperture formed centrally through the clamp member. The clamp members oriented so that the recess of one of the clamp members is substantially aligned with the planar wall of the remaining clamp member for engaging a boiler wall tube therebetween. The aperture of one clamp member is substantially aligned with the aperture of the remaining clamp member. Means for moving the clamp members toward each other for secure clamping engagement of the tubes for maintaining the clamp members in alignment while connecting the ends of the tubes by welding is also provided.

Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for axial positioning of a first pipe with respect to a second pipe for the welding of said pipes at their ends thereof of which the faces have been previously machined and define a joint plane, according to which a plurality of jacks are distributed around the first and second pipes, and said jacks are connected to a central processing and control unit. According to the invention, the movement of each of the jacks is controlled with respect to said external surface of the first and/or second pipe so as to align and center the internal end surfaces of the first and second pipes. The invention also relates to an associated device.

Abstract: A device and method of use for aligning structural elements to be connected is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to providing an end of a first structural element and an end of a second structural element; providing an aligning device including a head configured to be removably secured proximate the end of the first structural element, the aligning device further including an alignment element attached to the head, the alignment element having a rotatably secured plunging body extendable from the head; extending the plunging body from the head to non-rotatably engage the second structural element; and moving the non-rotatably engaged second structural element via extension of the plunging body to align the end of the second structural element with the end of the first structural element.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve in which: a suction tubular part projecting toward an inside of a nonmagnetic cylindrical body is provided to a front end portion of a stationary core; and a front end of the suction tubular part and a rear end of a movable core are opposed to each other in the inside of the nonmagnetic cylindrical body, an annular gap allowing influx of pressure fluid used for a check of liquid-tightness between the nonmagnetic cylindrical body and the stationary core is provided between an outer peripheral surface of the suction tubular part and an inner peripheral surface of the nonmagnetic cylindrical body. Accordingly, it enables a quick and efficient judgment to be made on a check on liquid-tightness of a welded part by applying fluid pressure to the inside of the valve housing after the valve housing of the electromagnetic fuel injection valve is produced.

Abstract: A friction stir welding system is provided herein. More specifically, traditional friction stir welding requires a rotatable head that is forced against a plurality of work pieces to bond the same. The rotational and normal forces generated by the friction stir welding tool are generally reacted by a backing plate, anvil, mandrel or other mechanisms, such hardware are subject to the applied forces and are often supported with additional internal supports. Conversely, a friction stir weld system is described that omits the need for such a backing member and internal supports as it is performed using a self reacting pin tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for clamping adjacent ends of pipe sections to be welded, the apparatus comprising a plurality of clamping members movable between retracted and extended clamping positions, each of the clamping members comprising a clamping shoe and a connecting member connecting the shoe to the apparatus frame; each of the clamping shoes comprising a longitudinal groove on its clamping surface oriented parallel to the adjacent pipe ends, at least one gas passageway through the clamping shoe which extends from a surface of the shoe away from the clamping surface to a termination point within the longitudinal groove, and at least one alignment guide device in the longitudinal groove; a means for delivering an inert purge gas to the longitudinal groove through the gas passageway; and a means for moving the clamping members between the retracted and extended clamping positions.

Abstract: A method of performing friction stir welding is provided herein. More specifically, traditional friction stir welding requires a rotatable head that is forced against a plurality of work pieces to bond the same. The rotational and normal forces generated by the friction stir welding tool are generally reacted by a backing plate, anvil, mandrel or other mechanisms, such hardware are subject to the applied forces and are often supported with additional internal supports. Conversely, a method of performing a friction stir weld is described that omits the need for such a backing member and internal supports as it is performed using a self reacting pin tool.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus is provided herein. More specifically, traditional friction stir welding requires a rotatable head that is forced against a plurality of work pieces to bond the same. The rotational and normal forces generated by the friction stir welding tool are generally reacted by a backing plate, anvil, mandrel or other mechanisms, such hardware are subject to the applied forces and are often supported with additional internal supports. Conversely, an apparatus for performing a friction stir weld is described that omits the need for such a backing member and internal supports as it is performed using a self reacting pin tool.

Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a helical cladding bead to the interior surface of a pipe elbow has a rotor mounted to an elbow carriage so as to be rotatable about a primary axis. The elbow carriage is longitudinally movable parallel to the rotor's rotational axis. A radially-movable elbow collar is mounted to the rotor, and has means for mounting a first end of a pipe elbow. The second end of the elbow passes through a stationary frame with centering means for keeping the elbow's curved centerline tangential to the primary axis. A weld arm, extending from a weld arm carriage into the second end of the elbow, is sinuously configured so that it will not interfere with the elbow. The weld arm is rotatable about the primary axis in coordination with the rotor. A weld head is mounted at the extending end of the weld arm so as to remain spatially fixed regardless of rotation of the weld arm.

Abstract: A pipe adjustment tool for use in aligning the confronting ends of a pair of pipe sections having a joint therebetween provides a frame having a seating surface for acting against an exterior surface of a pipe section. The seating surface being disposed at a 45-degree angle relative to a threaded bore of the frame. A flexible clamping member is attached to the frame at one end and is a of length to substantially encircle the pipe section. The opposite end of the clamping member is received and secured by a retainer. The retainer and the frame are connected together by an articulated joint formed by a ball-shaped end of a threaded bolt extending through frame and a ball-shaped socket in the retainer. The retainer and frame are movably relative to each other by operating the threaded bolt to provide tension in the clamping member about the pipe section.

Abstract: A method for producing a longitudinally welded hollow profile from a sheet metal blank having defined longitudinal edges, in which the sheet metal blank is initially preformed into an open seam profile with the aid of at least two tool parts allows for the economical production of accurately formed hollow profiles. This is achieved in that to produce the open seam profile, the sheet metal blank, by a change in the relative position of the tools parts, is placed freely around a mandrel positioned between the tool parts and extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal blank, the outer shape of which mandrel determines the inner shape of the hollow profile to be produced, and in that the shaping of the open seam profile obtained is then completed in one or more stages in each case by a further change of the relative position of the tool parts.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation tube assembly which is utilized as a component in a cryosurgical probe. The vacuum insulation tube assembly includes an inner tube; and, an outer tube concentrically positioned about the inner tube. The outer tube is securely soldered at end portions of the inner tube and forms a vacuum space between the inner tube and the outer tube. The vacuum tube assemblies may be conveniently mass produced using a special fixture.

Abstract: Two pipes are arranged end to end, the pipes being shaped such that a groove is defined between the ends of the pipe. A plurality of welding torches are used to weld in the groove, such that at least some of the welding torches perform a first welding pass, the welding characteristics of the torches are adjusted and at least some of the welding torches are used to perform a second welding pass. At least one torch welds in a first sector in the first welding pass and a second sector in the second welding pass, the second sector being different to the first. The sectors might overlap or might not overlap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guiding device (40) configured to guide equipment units for joining pipe sections which are arranged in a substantially upright position. The guiding device comprises a stationary body (41), one or more movable carriers being movably supported on said stationary body and configured to revolve one or more equipment units about a pipe section, a pipeline engagement device (63) configured to engage said guiding device with said pipe section and to support said stationary body, and one or more adjustable supports (44), said one or more adjustable supports being configured to make adjustment possible of a working plane of one or more equipment units (47, 48, 49) mounted on or to be mounted on said one or more carriers with respect to a pipe section on which the guiding device is mounted.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for clamping adjacent ends of pipe sections to be welded, the apparatus comprising a plurality of clamping members movable between retracted and extended clamping positions, each of the clamping members comprising a clamping shoe and a connecting member connecting the shoe to the apparatus frame; each of the clamping shoes comprising a longitudinal groove on its clamping surface oriented parallel to the adjacent pipe ends, at least one gas passageway through the clamping shoe which extends from a surface of the shoe away from the clamping surface to a termination point within the longitudinal groove, and at least one alignment guide device in the longitudinal groove; a means for delivering an inert purge gas to the longitudinal groove through the gas passageway; and a means for moving the clamping members between the retracted and extended clamping positions.

Abstract: Plate members 17 are respectively rested on first and second tables 1A and 1B relatively movable toward and away from each other. The plate members 17 are caused to abut against reference positioning members 16a and 16b of reference positioning devices protruded ahead of and over opposing ends 1? of the tables 1A and 1B so that opposing ends of the plate members 17 are positioned ahead of the opposing ends 1? of the tables 1A and 1B, and the plate members 17 are positioned laterally. Then, the positioned plate members 17 are locked on the tables 1A and 1B. After the reference positioning devices are retracted, the tables 1A and 1B are relatively moved toward each other to cause the opposing ends of the plate members 17 to abut together for formation of weld line X.

Abstract: A method for welding a plurality of pipes, including first, second and third pipes, to each other, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a clamping apparatus comprising a rigid frame, first and second clamping means for clamping the pipes, said first and second clamping means being supported on the frame; (b) engaging a side of the first pipe with the first clamping means and a side of the second pipe with the second clamping means and with a first end of the first pipe disposed at a welding distance from and in line with a first end of the second pipe; (c) operating a welding apparatus to make a welding seam to connect the respective first ends of the first and second pipes; and (d) moving the clamping apparatus along the second pipe to a second end of the second pipe and repeating steps (b)-(c) to weld the second end of the second pipe to a first end of the third pipe, wherein the method comprising the steps of determining a shape of the first pipe with help of the first clamping means, stori

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining pipe sections (102, 104) together to form an underwater pipeline. The pipe sections (102, 104) are in an abutting position and have a generally vertical orientation. The apparatus comprises at least two welding equipment carriers (148, 152) and at least two welding heads (110, 112). Each welding head is connected to an equipment carrier (148, 152) by means of at least one umbilical (130, 132). The apparatus further comprises a welding head guide assembly (113) which is adapted to be fixed to one of said upper of lower pipe sections. The welding head guide assembly (113) guides the welding heads about the pipe sections (102, 104). The apparatus further comprises a guiding device (133) which guides the welding equipment carriers (148, 152) around said welding area (115). The welding equipment carriers (148, 152) are movable independently from one another.

Abstract: Disclosed therein are an apparatus for and a method of automatically welding a flange to a guide thimble tube in a nuclear fuel assembly. The automatic welding apparatus includes: a welding part located on an axially conveying line of a tube for welding a welded surface of the tube inserted thereinto and a welded surface of a flange; a flange supplying part for supplying the flange at a tube inlet of the welding part onto the axially conveying line; and a conveying part mounted on the axially conveying line in such a way as to move the tube and the flange on the axially conveying line, so that they are inserted into and drawn from the welding part.

Abstract: An internal ring assembly for welding backup against internal hoops of pipes or tanks has a chain assembly of diverse cells. A majority of the cells include a tile of conductive metal for abutting inside walls across a seam of two sections of pipe or tank to be welded, as well as a cell of a roller chain assembly comprising either both a pin-link and roller-link construction or alternatively a pair of mosaic-link constructions. In either case, one of such link constructions is anchored to the tile and the other extends free of the tile for linking with another cell of the chain assembly. In contrast, a minority of the cells are arranged to produce an expansion force on the chain assembly as a whole in order that the chain assembly expansively forces itself tightly against the inside seam of the pipe or tank sections.

Abstract: Systems for coupling end portions of two elongated heater portions and methods of using such systems to treat a subsurface formation are described herein. A system may include a holding system configured to hold end portions of the two elongated heater portions so that the end portions are abutted together or located near each other; a shield for enclosing the end portions, and one or more inert gas inlets configured to provide at least one inert gas to flush the system with inert gas during welding of the end portions. The shield may be configured to inhibit oxidation during welding that joins the end portions together. The shield may include a hinged door that, when closed, is configured to at least partially isolate the interior of the shield from the atmosphere. The hinged door, when open, is configured to allow access to the interior of the shield.

Abstract: A clamping means support for use with orbital tube welding that resists the outward flexure of abutting tubes is provided. The invention generally is comprised of a left clasp and a right clasp, being congruent. The right clasp is generally square cornered J-shaped, having a mounting leg, and an engaging leg, an engagement notch formed between the long leg and the short leg. The right clasp is fastened upright, at the mounting leg, to a right top side of a clamping means. The left clasp is fastened invertible, at the mounting leg, to a left top side of a clamping means. Wherein, in the closed position, the engagement leg of the right clasp interlocks within the engagement notch of the left clasp, effectively preventing outward movement of the right top side and the left top side of the clamping means, relative one to the other.

Abstract: A self-adhesive purge dam for retaining purge gas around a weld zone includes a base configured to substantially obstruct an air passage leading to the weld zone and an adhesive skirt extending from the base and configured to engage portions of the air passage. An adhesive on the adhesive skirt allows the skirt to be adhered to the air passage. An optional removable backing covers the adhesive prior to installation. The adhesive skirt is deployable from a stowed position wherein the adhesive is generally disposed in an interior portion of the purge dam to an installation position wherein the adhesive can be pressed against a surface to which the purge dam is to be adhered. The purge dam can be installed by inserting it in the air passage with the adhesive skirt in the stowed position, removing the removable backing prior to or after insertion in the air passage, exposing the adhesive, and deploying the skirt to the installation position for adhesion.

Abstract: A clamp assembly is disclosed that can be remotely installed to structurally replace the P4a and P4b welds that join a short radius elbow to the core spray horizontal pipe and the vertical downcomer pipe in the core spray line that delivers cooling water to the reactor core region in a boiling water reactor. The clamp assembly includes three subassemblies, a horizontal pipe clamp subassembly, an elbow restraint subassembly, and a downcomer pipe subassembly.

Abstract: Method for welding piped (2, 3) to each other, in which the outer side of the one pipe is engaged tightly with the help of first clamping means and the outer side of the other pipe is engaged tightly with the help of second clamping means in which the first and second clamping means are kept in the line and with their ends close to or against each other by means of a rigid frame on which both clamping means are arranged, after which welding means are operated in order to make a welding seam from the outside for connecting both pipes, after which the frame with the first and the second clamping means and with the welding means is moved along and over the other pipe to the other end of the other pipe for repeating the aforementioned steps for welding the other pipe and a next pipe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for centering and clamping tubular parts such as conduits designed to form pipeline pipes of the type consisting of an elongated cylinder (1) comprising in particular clamping means, such as at least clamping shoes (2) arranged over its entire periphery and adapted to be radially mobile projecting from said cylinder (1) to be urged to press against the walls of the conduits to be clamped as well as means for moving each of the series of clamping shoes (2) between a position projecting from the cylinder (1) and a position wherein they are retracted into the cylinder (1).

Abstract: A continuous welding machine (1) for welding facing sides of a pipe blank (15) bent from a material blank is provided, having a guide strut (2) for guiding the sides of the blank (15) to be welded to each other in the direction toward a welding device (3). Pipe guides (4, 5) arranged about a periphery of the guide track designed for the pipe blank (15). For the continuous welding machine (1) according to the invention, the pipe guides (4, 5) and the guide strut (2) are adjustable in the radial direction relative to a guide axis (7) for adapting to different pipe diameters, and the guide tracks (8, 9) of the guide strut (2) allocated to the sides of the pipe blank (15) to be welded and also arranged on opposite sides of the guide strut (2) are arranged at an angle to each other in a plane extending through the guide axis (7). With the help of the continuous welding machine according to the invention, selected pipes with different pipe diameters can be produced alternately.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is disclosed for use during welding of a tubular metal nozzle to a tank's metal domed cap. The nozzle extends longitudinally between a base end for mating to the tank's cap at an aperture therein and a spaced-away terminal free end. Typically, the nozzle's longitudinal axis is aligned oblique to a normal axis for the domed cap through the aperture thereof. Such welding apparatus involves a clamping arrangement having an actuator extending between a lid and a spaced, opposed backup plate. The backup plate seats against at least a marginal periphery of the domed cap's inner concave surface surrounding the aperture thereof. The lid covers the nozzle's terminal free end. Releasably actuating the actuator increases clamping pressure between the lid and backup plate, thereby clamping the backup plate opposite the weld seam for at least purge purposes, and perhaps light-duty heat-sink purposes.