Abstract: A welding support block supports, from the rear surface of a joint to be welded, a weld pool created during a welding process. The welding support block comprises a block of metal and an outer layer of ceramic material providing a supporting surface. The ceramic material layer has a thickness between 0.25 mm and 1.5 mm. The metal material immediately beneath the ceramic material layer is made of steel. An internal line-up clamp for holding pipes in end-to-end alignment ready for welding may include multiple such welding support blocks. The use of such welding support blocks is particularly useful when laying a sour service carrying pipeline (high H2S content).

Abstract: A method for welding two or more conduits includes aligning end portions thereof in an abutting relationship to define a gap. The method includes performing a spatter free root weld along the gap to configure a root layer while the inner circumferential surface side is unobstructed. After the root weld is complete, an outward thrust is applied along the inner circumferential surfaces of the conduits. During the application of the outward thrust, a filler weld is performed along the gap to fill the gap and to facilitate shrinkage of the filler and root weld materials longitudinally and radially outward while preventing pressing out of the filler and root weld materials radially inward of the inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A heat-resistant weld backing tape for placement between a backing member and a workpiece to be welded at a root gap. The weld backing tape includes a flexible tape substrate. The tape substrate has a longitudinal length that extends between first and second tape substrate ends, and a lateral width that extends between first and second tape substrate side edges. The tape substrate has a substantially planar first face and a substantially planar second face. The first and second tape substrate faces are mutually parallel and spaced from each other by a tape substrate thickness. The tape substrate length and the tape substrate width are substantially larger than the tape substrate thickness. A heat-resistant material is disposed on the first tape substrate face and arranged to face the workpiece during welding. An adhesive material is disposed on the second tape substrate face and arranged to face the backing member during welding.

Abstract: A hitch coupling assembly that is used to couple an accessory to a vehicle is described. The hitch coupling assembly includes a receiver tube and a receiver wedge assembly. The receiver tube and the receiver wedge assembly are coupled to each other using a tightening bolt. The receiver tube, receiver wedge assembly, and tightening bolt are then inserted into a hitch receiver of a vehicle, and the tightening bolt is tightened to couple the hitch coupling assembly to the hitch receiver. A receiver lock can be used to lock the hitch coupling assembly into the hitch receiver. An accessory rack or other accessory that is coupled to the hitch coupling assembly is coupled to the hitch receiver and the vehicle by coupling the hitch coupling assembly to the hitch receiver.

Abstract: An internal line-up clamp for welding pipe lengths end-to-end includes a clamp ring made up of a plurality of clamp ring elements that are angularly distributed around the circumference of the clamp ring. The clamp ring elements are divided into mutually opposed groups that are interdigitated such that the clamp ring elements alternate from one group to the other around the circumference of the clamp ring. A longitudinally-acting actuator system drives relative longitudinal movement of the groups to effect clamping expansion of the clamp ring by wedging interaction between the circumferentially-alternating clamp ring elements of the groups. By expanding the clamp ring in alignment with a weld plane between the abutting ends, the same clamp ring may be used to align the pipe lengths and to back a weld between them.

Abstract: A retaining device (1) for the form-fitting and/or force-fitting arrangement of two components (2, 3) to be connected in a bonded manner for a subsequent welding process. The retaining device (1) includes a cover (4), which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (5) and on the lower face of which a silicone layer (8) is arranged so as to face in the direction of the components (2, 3) to be connected, and a pressure plate (6) that can be moved in the direction of the cover (4) via at least one cylinder (7) and thus presses the components (2, 3) which are to be connected and which are arranged one above the other between the cover (4) and the pressure plate (6) against the silicone layer (8). A method for operating a retaining device (1) is also provided.

Abstract: A valve having a housing, a flap rotatably arranged in the housing and connected to a drive shaft mounted in the housing, an electric motor for driving the drive shaft, having a gearing which has at least one toothed segment and which is arranged between the electric motor and the drive shaft, and a sensor, which has a magnet, for determining the angle of rotation of the flap. The toothed segment has at least two detent hooks that engage around the magnet. Furthermore, at least one spring element is provided which preloads the magnet against the detent hooks.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a mandrel that can be used to react the loads that are created by a friction stir joining tool as it performs friction stir joining of tubulars, the mandrel selected from a disposable mandrel, a partially disposable mandrel, a reusable mandrel, and a mandrel that is partially disposable and partially reusable.

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: A magnetic plug weld tool includes an arm, a copper alloy plate that is rotatably connected to one end of the arm, and a magnetic base that is connected to the arm. The arm is configured to apply a force to the copper alloy plate using the magnetic base.

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: 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: A magnetic plug weld tool includes an arm, a copper alloy plate that is rotatably connected to one end of the arm, and a magnetic base that is connected to the arm. The arm is configured to apply a force to the copper alloy plate using the magnetic base.

Abstract: A magnetic based welding tool having an adjustment knob, a pivot arm, and a copper alloy pad, designed to assist with welding holes, for example, in sheet metal, that are to be welded closed with a MIG or TIG welder, by providing a backup to the hole, to keep the welding material from coming through the hole in excess amounts, and a magnetic base to hold the tool onto a ferrous metal panel, such as steel, with an adjustable arm to keep the copper alloy pad away from the magnetic base and in firm contact with the surface to be welded.

Abstract: A clamping device includes a backing member having an upper face pressing against two work pieces having a welding gap therebetween. A rod extends through the backing member and has an exposed upper portion extending through a narrower portion of the welding gap into a wider portion of the welding gap. An elastic element is mounted between a bottom face of the backing member and an abutting portion on a lower portion of the rod to bias the backing member to press against the work pieces. The upper portion includes a hooked section having a first width smaller than a width of the narrower portion and a second width perpendicular to and larger than the width of the narrower portion. The rod is turnable to a position in which the second width of the hooked section presses against the work pieces under the action of the elastic element.

Abstract: A magnetic based welding tool having an adjustment knob, a pivot arm, and a copper alloy pad, designed to assist with welding holes, for example, in sheet metal, that are to be welded closed with a MIG or TIG welder, by providing a backup to the hole, to keep the welding material from coming through the hole in excess amounts, and a magnetic base to hold the tool onto a ferrous metal panel, such as steel, with an adjustable arm to keep the copper alloy pad away from the magnetic base and in firm contact with the surface to be welded.

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.

Abstract: Method for welding objects having limited backside access to a cavity behind a region to be welded. The method includes inserting a fugitive backing material in an installation state into a first portion of the cavity proximate the region to be welded and then transforming the fugitive backing material to a rigid state. The method further includes forming a weld in the region and then transforming the fugitive backing material to a removable state and removing the fugitive backing material from the cavity. The method may also include placing a pre-formed weld backing in the cavity and filling the cavity with a fugitive backing material. The method further includes transforming the fugitive backing material to a rigid state, forming a weld, and transforming the fugitive backing material to a removable state. The method may further include removing the fugitive backing material and removing the pre-formed weld backing from the cavity.

Abstract: A welding tab assembly has a weld tab and a metal rod. The weld tab has an inverted L-shaped recess defined in one side of the weld tab and an inclined hole defined in a top face of the recess. The metal rod is inverted L-shaped and is received in the inverted L-shaped recess. An inclined section obliquely extends from one end of the metal rod and is received in the inclined hole in the weld tab. A fastener detachably holds the metal rod in the recess. In such an arrangement, the welding slag can be cleaned or exhausted during the welding process by means of detaching the weld tab from the welded parts, such that the welding quality is improved.

Abstract: A weld shield device for facilitating end-to-end welding of two pipe segments having fiberglass liners. The weld shield device includes an insulation material applied about the outer surface of a sleeve body. The sleeve body helps establish a welding gap between the two pipe segments. The insulation material reduces the heat transfer from the welding operations to the fiberglass liners. Additionally, a method of joining two pipe segments with fiberglass liners is provided, which includes connecting a first end of a weld shield device to a first pipe segment and connecting a second pipe segment to the second end of the weld shield device with the weld shield device being partially in a cutout portion of the fiberglass liner. Then, the two pipe segments are welded together. Insulation material on the weld shield device reduces the heat transfer from the welding operations to the fiberglass liners.

Abstract: A welding apparatus spot welds two or more overlapping sheets having a coating, such as zinc coated steel or aluminum alloy with an oxide coating. A hole is formed in the upper sheet at the desired point of spot welding. A clamping cup of a plasma arc passes surrounds the hole and contacts the upper surface of the upper sheet. The torch heats the sheet, allowing entrapped vapors in the coating on the lower sheet to vent freely. Filler wire is added to fill the hole and to secure the overlapping sheets together. If the overlapping sheets are zinc coated steel, preferably the filler wire is copper based.

Abstract: A weld shield device for facilitating end-to-end welding of two pipe segments having fiberglass liners. The weld shield device includes an insulation material applied about the outer surface of a sleeve body. The sleeve body helps establish a welding gap between the two pipe segments. The insulation material reduces the heat transfer from the welding operations to the fiberglass liners. Additionally, a method of joining two pipe segments with fiberglass liners is provided, which includes connecting a first end of a weld shield device to a first pipe segment and connecting a second pipe segment to the second end of the weld shield device with the weld shield device being partially in a cutout portion of the fiberglass liner. Then, the two pipe segments are welded together. Insulation material on the weld shield device reduces the heat transfer from the welding operations to the fiberglass liners.

Abstract: A back-up clamp suitable for backing up a weld to be formed between adjacent pipe lengths in a pipeline, the clamp having a rigid clamp body, at least one set of clamping members mounted upon the clamp body, a set of back-up shoes mounted upon the clamp body, the set of clamping members and the set of back-up shoes being movable relative to the body, movement of the set of clamping members and the set of back-up shoes being controlled by fluid pressure applied to at least one location of the clamp, the clamp having a number of conduits adapted to deliver pressurised fluid to the location(s), all of each conduit being located within the body. The invention permits the provision of a back-up clamp which requires no flexible or external fluid hoses, and permits the manufacture of a back-up clamp suitable for use with small-diameter pipelines.

Abstract: A back-up tooling apparatus for supporting the inner side of a hollow cylindrical workpiece during a circumferential friction stir weld includes a plurality of arcuate shoes configured to mate end-to-end to form a substantially continuous ring, and an expandable support for supporting the shoes and operable to retract and expand the shoes inward and outward. The expandable support includes at least one rotatable feed screw and central support members mounted on the feed screw or screws and pivotally connected to the shoes by support arms. The central support members are moved axially toward or away from each other for expanding or retracting the shoes. The shoes in one embodiment overlap in the circumferential direction, and a seal material is disposed between mating end faces of adjacent shoes. A restraining device is provided for clamping about the workpiece to reduce thermal expansion thereof. Cable-and-winch and geared drive devices are provided for rotatably driving the workpiece from its outer surface.

Abstract: A weld tab has a tab which contains a circular groove therein. A metal stick is received in the circular groove. The tab has an end which has a snapping groove to receive a pad. The pad has two ends each received in the snapping groove of the tab.

Abstract: A split, ring-shaped pipe spacer used to maintain separation between a pipe and a fitting shoulder during welding. The spacer has pairs of yieldable offset segments. The two segments of each pair bulge from the spacer body in opposite directions to maintain proper spacing between the pipe and fitting during welding. The opposing offset segments also permit bi-directional insertion of the spacer into the fitting, position the spacer body out of contact with both the pipe and the fitting, and minute and distribute the stress imparted to the spacer when forming the segments during manufacturing. The spacer ends forming the split in the spacer have a tongue-in-groove shape to accommodate circumferential expansion of the spacer under compression of the pipe.

Abstract: A mold for joining conductors such as stranded cable to each other and to other elements such as a ground rod is formed of two or more parts. The mold formed by the parts includes a weld chamber. Exothermic welding material in a crucible above forms molten metal which drops into the weld chamber through a tap hole. The mold includes sleeving passages extending upwardly at an angle from horizontal to exit the mold well above the level of molten metal forming the weld. The sleeving passages extending upwardly at an angle from the weld chamber, or as a V with two symmetrical passages, are preferably larger than normal passages and accordingly will accommodate a wide variety of cable sizes without interference with or abrasion of the sleeving passages. This enables one mold to accommodate more sizes, avoids the use of packing, adapter sleeves or shims, and maintains the weld chamber well vented.

Abstract: A protective device for welding a seam between a pair of workpieces has a flexible metallic band extending along the seam, spaced from surfaces of the workpieces, and having longitudinal edges on which are carried respective elastomeric heat-resistant strips extending the full length of the band and engaging the surfaces of the workpieces. A flexible ceramic band is provided between the elastomeric strips on the metal band between same and the surfaces. The band has a face turned toward and spaced from the surfaces and forms with the surfaces at the seam a chamber extending along the seam.

Abstract: A split, ring-shaped pipe spacer used to maintain separation between a pipe and a fitting shoulder during welding. The spacer has pairs of yieldable offset segments. The two segments of each pair bulge from the spacer body in opposite directions to maintain proper spacing between the pipe and fitting during welding. The opposing offset segments also permit bidirectional insertion of the spacer into the fitting, position the spacer body out of contact with both the pipe and the fitting, and minute and distribute the stress imparted to the spacer when forming the segments during manufacturing. The spacer ends forming the split in the spacer have a tongue-in-groove shape to accommodate circumferential expansion of the spacer under compression of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of root closure of friction stir welds in all types of stir weldable materials, especially difficult to weld materials, such as non-extrudable aluminum alloy 2024, 2014, 2090 and 7075. The method includes providing a backing device that has a recess, such as a groove or channel, sized to receive the tip of the pin of the welding tool and to contain the bead of the weld being formed. The workpiece rests on the backing device, with the proposed weld line aligned with the recess. Thus, as the weld is formed, material is extruded into the recess, completing closure of the weld root, and forming a small bead on the rear side of the workpiece. Optionally, this bead may be removed by a machining process. In one embodiment, the backing device is a plate with a channel machined in its surface so that the workpiece may be temporarily affixed to the plate, with weld line aligned with the channel, for welding.

Abstract: A tube such as a nozzle to be repaired or tubular sections to be repaired or connected to each other, are welded using a backing ring having a groove in the area to be welded. The groove forms a purge space for purge gas between the ring and the tube to establish an inert atmosphere on both inner and outer surfaces of the tube during the welding operation. The ring is removed by making a bore in the ring having a diameter larger than the diameter of the groove but smaller than the diameter of the ring. In this way, the ring is divided into two portions which are easily removed from the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for groove weld joining pipe sections along a rotating preform having a circumferential groove thereon along which the preformed adjoining pipe sections are located to form a weld in the joining area and a underbead in the groove of the preform to thus weld together the pipe sections.

Abstract: A line-up clamp (10) is disclosed for clamping small diameter pipe sections together for welding. The line-up clamp includes back-up shoe assemblies (106) which are pivoted into engagement with the interior surfaces of the pipe sections adjacent the weld as the clamp clamps the pipe sections. As the hydraulic cylinder (14) compresses the resilient disks, expanding the disks into clamping contact with the pipe sections, actuator bodies (58, 88) are urged together, with tapered surfaces on facing back-up shoe assemblies moving into contact and driving the back-up shoe assemblies into contact with the interior surfaces of the pipe sections at the point of welding.

Abstract: A movable backing system enables it to continuously, easily perform full penetration welding along a weld line in a confined space, irrespective of the length, configuration and other factors of a weld zone. A weld backing, which has a backing member disposed on the side facing a workpiece and cooling means disposed inside the weld backing for cooling the backing member, is so supported on a wheeled carriage as to be movable toward the workpiece. The weld backing is provided with follower elements which are always in contact with the underside of the workpiece and which turn following the movement of the workpiece to keep a predetermined gap between the underside of the workpiece and the weld backing so that desired bead thickness can be obtained. The wheeled carriage is moved synchronously with the movement of the welder to continuously perform full penetration welding.

Abstract: A connection joining abutted ends of pipe includes a sleeve therein which provides a continuous seal to protect the juncture of the pipe ends and the interior portions of the pipe adjacent the pipe ends from the materials passing through the pipe. The sleeve may be configured from a non-metallic material, such as PTFE, and a plurality of seal rings may be located on the outer circumference thereof to seal the sleeve to the interior surface of the pipe. The non-metallic sleeve is inherently non-corrosive, and therefore no secondary protective coatings need be provided on the interior surfaces of the pipe connection to protect the weld. To position the sleeve in the pipe ends, the sleeve may include a plurality of removable spacer pins thereon which are removed from the sleeve before the weld connection is completed. The sleeve may include circumferential end recesses forming a minor diameter end portion which is receivable in a tubular barrier material where the pipe includes an internal barrier material.

Abstract: In the fabricating of a mandrel bar, a plurality of used mandrel bar segments are provided, each of which has a central bore comprising a smooth surface portion and a threaded portion. Each segment has a circumferential recess at an end thereof and a bevelled surface adjoining the recess and extending inwardly of the segment at an angle to the vertical. A coupling has a smooth central boss section and threaded ends. A connection is made by threadedly connecting the ends of the coupling with a pair of opposed mandrel segments, with the smooth boss of the coupling fitting inside the smooth portion of the bore of each segment to effect, with the threaded joint, a straight, tight joint. A weld groove of gull-shaped cross-section is provided between the opposed ends of a pair of mandrel segments, having a body portion formed by a pair of opposed bevelled surfaces and wings formed by a pair of opposed recesses.

Abstract: A preform insert for use in preventing the flow of a braze or solder material into a void in an article during a brazing or soldering operation. The insert is particularly suited to brazing techniques for repairing stator vanes of a gas turbine, though equally effective for use in the manufacture or repair of other articles, as well as soldering operations. The preform insert is composed of a refractory metal oxide powder dispersed in a polymeric solid such that the preform insert is solid yet relatively flexible. As such, the preform insert can be formed to be appropriately shaped and sized to fill a void in an article, such that the void will remain open after the brazing or soldering operation.

Abstract: A joint container for forming a weld joint utilizing multiple adjacent metal plates which are spaced apart and positioned angularly to each other. One of the plates forming the joint may extend continuously through the joints along a straight line. At least first and second plates of the multiple plates may be at an acute angle to each other. A dam member is placed in each of the spaces between each two adjacent plates. The dam member between adjacent plates has a concave contour surface viewed in a direction toward the weld joint container. Thereby stress inducing sharp corners in the finished weld joint are minimized due to the reduction of the angles of the corners provided by the contour of each dam surface when it engages one of the plates. Also, the plates having ends at the joint have such ends cut parallel to and spaced from the plate extending continuously straight through the joint.

Abstract: A process for forming a hard surface coating on titanium alloys includes providing a piece of material containing titanium having at least a portion of one surface to be hardened. The piece having a portion of a surface to be hardened is contacted on the backside by a suitable heat sink such that the melting depth of said surface to be hardened may be controlled. A hardening material is then deposited as a slurry. Alternate methods of deposition include flame, arc, or plasma spraying, electrodeposition, vapor deposition, or any other deposition method known by those skilled in the art. The surface to be hardened is then selectively melted to the desired depth, dependent on the desired coating thickness, such that a molten pool is formed of the piece surface and the deposited hardening material. Upon cooling a hardened surface is formed.

Abstract: This seamer (10) with back-up assembly (50) includes a first table (30) supporting one of the workpieces W1, a second table (32) supporting the other of the workpieces W2, fingers (40, 42) clamping the workpieces to the table, and an improved back-up assembly (50) disposed between the first and second table (30, 32). The back-up assembly (50) includes an elongate back-up bar (52), a holder (54) carrying the back-up bar (52), a support (70) disposed in spaced relation from the holder (54), inflatable hoses (80, 82) operatively disposed between the holder (54) and the support (70), and a control system (88) inflating the hoses to adjust the elevation of the back-up bar (52) relative to the workpieces W1 and W2. The assembly (50) is slidingly removable as a unit to facilitate removal of the back-up bar (52).

Abstract: A reusable weld backing capable of withstanding long use, which is held against the underside of a workpiece to provide weld-metal support in full penetration welding, the weld backing comprising a substrate made from copper or a copper alloy; and a copper-aluminum alloy layer containing 9 to 23% by weight of aluminum and formed at least on the surface of the substrate, the surface being on the side which faces a weld zone.

Abstract: Welding joint (18,22) connecting workpieces (19,20,24,29) having a throughlet (25) comprising a weld (21,34) wherein a backing sleeve (10,28) is held within the workpieces (19,20,24,29) in the region of the weld. The welding joint comprises a partition layer (15,33) of a non-weldable material between the workpieces (19,20,24,29), the weld (21,34) and the backing sleeve (10,28), resulting in a welding joint easy to establish and of improved strength and fatigue resistance.

Abstract: An improved internal line up clamp (10) is disclosed which has an integral back up ring (12). A first set of pipe clamps (22) move radially outward to engage the inner surface of a first pipe (14). A second set of pipe clamps (62) and a set of back up ring segments (88) are simultaneously moved radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipes. The back up ring segments (88) are spring loaded to exert a relatively constant back up force against the inner surface of the pipes at the weld. In a modification, a fill block (118) can be used to fill the gap between adjacent back up ring segments when engaging the inner surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A backup mandrel apparatus to engage the inner surface of a metal tube being welded to support the weld bead and to keep a molten weld puddle from sagging and falling through the tube wall during welding. The apparatus includes a flexible inflatable bladder surrounded by a split expandable mandrel, an expandable band typically surrounding a central portion of the split expandable mandrel, insulation pads surrounding the mandrel adjacent to the expandable band and insulation material covering the inflatable bladder. The insulation pads preferably have a compressed thickness slightly greater than the band thickness. This assembly is inserted within the tubular workpiece to be welded. In use, the inflatable bladder is inflated with low air or water pressure to expand the mandrel to uniformly expand the expandable band to press the insulation pads against the inner side of the tubing workpiece being welded while leaving either no gap or a narrow gap between the band and the inner tube wall surface.

Abstract: A hand held backing plate tool for the welding repair of holes in sheet metal panels includes a demountable backing plate which may be selected with a size and shape adapted to fit the contour of the panel adjacent the hole to be repaired. The selected backing plate is demountably attached to an insulated handle for convenient positioning by the repairman during repair. The backing plate is made of a copper base alloy to which welding metal will not adhere. The handle is made of a lightweight aluminum core including a heat transfer barrier and the outer surface of the handle is covered with an insulated hand grip. In an alternate embodiment, a mounting block is attached to one jaw of a C-clamp adjustable locking wrench to which the same variety of packing plates may be demountably attached. The locking wrench allows clamping the backing plate in position in some applications.

Abstract: An article for providing a barrier between solder in a piping joint and the interior of the piping joint so that drinking water flowing therethrough is not contaminated by lead particles resulting from water flow erosion of the solder. The barrier article comprises an annular member a portion of which engages the inner surface of an inner pipe portion and a radially outwardly extending portion of which engages the end of the inner pipe portion and extends radially beyond the outer surface of the inner pipe portion to act as a barrier between solder in the annulus between the inner and an outer pipe portion and the interior of the joint. An indicator may be provided on the inner pipe portion adjacent the joint to assure the user of the piping system that the article was installed.

Abstract: For internally supporting the annular weld during welding together of two pipe ends of two pipes extending mutually in line a weld supporting ring is used consisting of ring pieces comprising at least one supporting body of ceramic material bounding the outer periphery of the weld supporting ring.

Abstract: An inline splicing system for brittle conductors which is comprised of a superconductor core, a superconductor coil having a length of conductor wound upon it with a terminal end, a supply spool of compatible conductor having a terminal end, both conductors being in an abutting relationship for a prescribed length, a spacer located between a portion of the abutting length and the core, and a soldering means which creates a solder along the abutting length that conforms to the circular surface of the core.

Abstract: A connector/beam joining method for joining a beam and a connector having a base plate and a projection, both formed into a T-shape in cross-section, in which the edge of a welding groove provided on the end of the projection of the connector is matched with the edge of the inside surface of a flange constituting the beam for positioning, and a backing strip formed into a prescribed length is fixedly fitted by welding so as to come in close contact with the end surface of the projection and the inside surface of the flange.

Abstract: A process is described in which a weld in Aluminum alloy is produced without cracks and porosity; or, cracks and porosity is reduced to a low acceptable level. Thus, the process eliminates or reduces the need of non-destructive testing and re-work which usually involves gouging the defective area and re-welding to make the same sound and crack free. Porosity in the weld, however, can't be reduced once generated during solidification of the weld; therefore, cooling gradients are applied to the weld by placing a back-up material with sufficient heat-sink capacity and having thermal conductivity higher than the base metal/s, the back-up material having the same width which contacts the projected weld width on the opposite side of weld.