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:
The method provides a diffusion-bonding of dual-phase stainless steel material having excellent strength and corrosion. The method includes: cold-working a material to be bonded so as to enhance the proof stress; inserting into the bonding portion an insert material; applying pressure thereto while performing shielding by mixed nitrogen/argon gas; heating the restricted bonding portion; cooling at a restricted rate; so as to form a bonded portion having the ferritic phase percentage of 30-70% by volume.
Abstract:
A circle cutting device that is particularly useful for cutting openings through pipe and round vessels and may also be utilized for cutting circular openings through flat material. The device utilizes a conventional oxygen acetylene cutting torch or plasma cutter and also may be angled to provide a means for bevel cutting circular openings at a desired angle. The device is portable and easily used in field operations by a craftsman.
Abstract:
The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes applying a metal coating to the upper face of a metal strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded, preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere with the seam preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, at least a lower portion of said tube is reheated with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube, thereby causing the metal coating to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and coated, wherein the metal coating increases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The inside coated seamed tube may also be immersed in a galvanizing or metal coating bath to coat the outside of the tube. In a preferred embodiment, the inside and outside coatings comprise substantially the same metal and a single galvanizing bath apparatus is used to coat the inside and outside surfaces of the seamed tube. In another embodiment, the coating on the inner surface of the seamed tube has a melting temperature substantially below the melting temperature of the metal strip, but higher than the melting temperature of the outside metal coating. In another embodiment, a lance is provided having a free end which extends through the adjacent lateral edges of a tube-shaped strip and a nozzle which applies metal coating material over the seam. A control loop is also disclosed for improved reflow of the metal coating over the seam.
Abstract:
A new system for welding sections of pipe together to form a long, continuous pipeline. A welding bug is mounted on a guide track which goes around the circumference of the pipe. The welding bug is provided with a wire feeder, a motor to drive the wire feeder, and driving motor for driving the bug around the track. One may vary the speed of the bug and the wire feeder while the bug is continuously driven around the track. The welding head on the welding bug is powered by a surface-tension-transfer power source. The initial or root pass is made external of the pipe. In one embodiment there is a dual welding wire feeder for driving two welding wires simultaneously at the same speed.
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 manufacturing a suspension damper with a welded rod fitting includes attaching a piston rod to a piston assembly. The piston assembly with the attached piston rod is inserted into a tube so that the piston rod extends from the tube. Hydraulic fluid is added to the tube either before or after the piston assembly is inserted. A rod guide assembly is slidingly received over the piston rod and is secured to the tube. An end fitting is secured in a weld fixture. The tube, containing hydraulic fluid, the piston assembly, the secured rod guide and the extending piston rod is positioned so that the piston rod abuts the end fitting. An electrical current is passed through the end fitting and the piston rod. The piston rod is moved away from the end fitting forming a gap as the electrical current is passing through the end fitting and the piston rod so that an arc is established across the gap to weld the end fitting to the piston rod.
Abstract:
A clamping apparatus for use in clamping a fitting to a pipe or other fitting. The apparatus may be used without supporting the outer surface of the pipe on the opposite side of the fitting, and in the case of a buried pipe, only a portion of the pipe needs to be excavated. The apparatus comprises a clamping plate for engaging an outer surface of the fitting with an adjusting stem threadingly engaged with the clamping plate. A locking bar is pivotally and rotatably attached to an end of the adjusting stem. A weight differential between long and short ends of said locking bar and a cable are used to pivot the locking bar between a first position thereof wherein the locking bar and a portion of the stem may be inserted through aligned openings in the fitting and pipe and a second position. In the second position, the clamping bar may be clampingly engaged with an inner surface of the pipe by rotation of the adjusting stem which also results in the clamping plate being clampingly engaged with an outer surface of the fitting. A lock nut locks the apparatus in the clamping position. The fitting may then be permanently attached to the pipe, such as by an electrofusion process, after which the apparatus may be unclamped and removed. A method of attaching a fitting to a pipe using the apparatus is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A pipe fitting apparatus for holding a pair of pipe fittings together such that the pipe fittings may be welded. The apparatus is designed for use by a single operator. The apparatus comprises a pair of handles interconnected by a conventional locking toggle apparatus and having first and second clamping jaws extending from the handles such that the first and second clamping jaws may be clampingly engaged with a first pipe fitting. A lower support extends from one of said clamping jaws and provides adjustable support for a lower portion of a second pipe fitting adjacent to the first pipe fitting. An upper support provides supporting engagement for a distal upper end of the second pipe fitting and includes an arm holder attached to one of the clamping jaws and a support arm slidably connected to the arm holder and which may be locked in a supporting position. The arm holder provides pivotation of the support arm in two axes so that the support arm may be moved as necessary to accommodate different sizes and shapes of fittings.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for maintaining seam alignment in seam welded tubes comprising the tube being formed to be advanced through a shaping station after seam welding and prior to the cooling of tube wherein the tube is preformed to commence to assume at least two continuously extending flat shaped surfaces parallel with the continuous seam and contacting the preformed tube subsequent to the cooling to maintain alignment of the weld seam.