CA1265210A - Normalizer for linear welds of pipes - Google Patents

Normalizer for linear welds of pipes

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Publication number
CA1265210A
CA1265210A CA000512649A CA512649A CA1265210A CA 1265210 A CA1265210 A CA 1265210A CA 000512649 A CA000512649 A CA 000512649A CA 512649 A CA512649 A CA 512649A CA 1265210 A CA1265210 A CA 1265210A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
induction heater
pipe
weld
mounting assembly
normalizer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000512649A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Douglas L. Sprung
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PIPEMAKERS Inc
Original Assignee
PIPEMAKERS Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PIPEMAKERS Inc filed Critical PIPEMAKERS Inc
Priority to CA000512649A priority Critical patent/CA1265210A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1265210A publication Critical patent/CA1265210A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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  • General Induction Heating (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A normalizer for linear welds in continuous pipes, to travel along the side of a pipeline during operation. The normalizer comprises an induction heater supported on a mounting assembly. A controlled power source is provided for the induction heater. The elevation and lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater as well as its lateral placement are continuously controlled with respect to the pipe to ensure proper placement of the induction heater over the weld to be normalized.
A spacer permits adjustable spacing of the induction heater a predetermined distance from the pipe weld to be normalized, to provide a predetermined air gap between the induction heater and that weld. These elements of the normalizer are mounted on a carriage for moveably transporting these elements along the length of pipe to be normalized.

Description

;21~

BACKGROUND OF THE INVE~NTION

The present invention relates to a normalizer for linear welds in continuous lengths of pipe, and more particularly relates to a normalizer which can, during operation, travel along beside a length of pipe produced from a mobile pipe mill such as that described for example in Vasar U.S. Patent No. 3,014,118 issued December 19, 1961 or my copending Canadian Patent Applications Serial Nos. 517,463 and 517,464.
After electrical resistance welding of pipe, it is necessary to reheat the forged weld to approximately 1500F to 1950F, depending on the steel chemistry and allow that weld then to cool in air. This permits the grain structure to be properl~ re~ined. This :Ls a r~quirement of most codes such as .P.~. and C.S.~.
In stat:ionar~ mills, this normalizing process is carried out b~ a normalizer inductor bar which is lowered onto the pipe as the pipe passes beneath it. Induction current through the bar heats the pipe which is then allowed to cool in the subsequent sizing section of the mill, usually assisted by a water quench. For best results, the weld zone is usually cooled to room temperature before normalizing takes place.
This is not always practical in a stationary mill setup. As well, when the induction bar is lowered and raised, often the leading and trailing edges of the weld seam to be normalized ,~

~2~
are mis~ed. ~nother problem o~ten found in such normalizers is that the weld seam may become imperfectly aligned with respect to the induction bar as a long continuous length of metal pipe is formed. In such a case the seam may become ofset with respect to the induction bar, reducing the efficiency o~ the normalizing operation.

OBJECTS OF l'H~ INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a normalizer which reduces or avoids the problems previously experienced in conventional normalizers. It is a further object o the present invention to provid~ a normalizer which will be eective ln operation in either stationary or mobile pipe mills.

SUMM Y~OF THE INVENTION

The normalizer according to the present invention comprises an induction heater supported on a mounting assembly the heater to lie selectively over a weld in ~he pipe being normalized for applying heat to the weld. A power source is provided and an electrical control means controls the power from the power source to the induction heater. A mechanical means continuously controls the elevatAion and lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to ~6S;~
those of the pipe. There is also provided a mechanical control means to enable continuous control of the lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to the pipe weld to be noLmalized and to ensure propeL placement of the induction heater over that weld. The normalizer also has a spacer means to permit adjustable spacing of the induction bar of the heater a predetermined distance from the pipe weld to be normalized, to provide a predetermined air ga~ between the induction bar and that weld. These elements of the noLmalizer are mounted on a carriage means for moveably tran~porting these elements along the pipe to be normalized, the carriage means having appropriate drive and 6teering means.
In a preferred embodiment, a heat sensor is provided to measure the heat ~enerated at the weld by the induction :l.5 heater. A computer ls e~ect~onlca'~ly a~soclated with the drive mean~ ~or the carrlage means and the heat sensor, to control the ~peed o~ t~e ca~rla~e mean~ dependent on the heat being generated at the weld hy the lnductlon heater~
'l'he 'llne travol normallzer accordlng to the present lnventlon, while deslgned partlcularly to operate on the product of mobile pipe forming devices, may work equally well in stationary pipe forming mills. As the noL.nalizer itself operates independently of the mill operation, and is not restricted to a particular location in the mill forming apparatus, proper cooling of the pipe to be normalized, before normalizing, may be readily achieved. As well, careful ~ ;~6;5~
alignment of the induction heater with respect to the weld seam to be normalized can be ceadily achieved through the mechanical control means which enables continuous control of the lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to the pipe weld.

BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. . _ These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in whiCh FIGURE 1 is a perspective ~chematic view of a normaliæQr accocding to the present invention: and FI~URES 2 and 3 a~e respectively plan and ~ront elevation view~ o~ the normalizer of FIGURE 1.
WhilQ the invention will be de~cribed in conjunction with an example embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the inventiorl to 6uch an embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, similar features in the ~s~

drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
Turning to FIGURE 1 the~e is shown a line travel normalize~ 2 in accordance with the present invention, no~malizing a continuous length oE pipe 4, which pipe has been made by forming a flat metal strip and welding along weld seam 6. The normalizer 2 comprises an induction heate~ 8 supported by a mounting assembly 10. Induction heater ~ is a bar made up of a number of laminated metal plates 12 (FIGUR~ 2) and may be several feet in length. Electrical current to induction heater 8 is controlled through an electrical control means in a control cabinet 14 and power i6 supplied by a power means such as a generator 16 (e.g. 500 kilowatts). Induction heater 8 is intended to lie over the weld zone from side to side and is continuou~ly moveable by means Oe a ~eam tracker 18, L5 illustrated as being manually controlled by an operator in cab 20, but which may alternatively be automatic. Seam tcacker 18 comprl~es a ~oy ~tl~k whlch i8 moveable a~ illustrated to cause lnductor mountlng assembly or carriage Erame 10 to move laterally, rom side~to-side, as required, ~o ensure proper placement of induction heater 8 over weld seam 6.
Mounting assembly 10 is also Eree to move vertically by mechanical control means in the form of posts 22 and roller mechanisms 24, and free to move laterally by control means in the form of bars 26 and roller mechanisms 28 to coordinate the elevation and lateral placement of mounting as6embly 10 with respect to those of pipe 4. Induction heater 8 follows the contour of the pipe resting orl ground or, as illustrated, on skid 40, by means of these roller mechanisms 24 and 28 which adjust Eoc horiæontal and vertical movement. Induction heater 8 is itself suppocted by roller bearings 36 (FIGURE 3) which travel on the upper surface of pipe 4 to keep constant the air gap or space between the weld seam 6 on pipe 4 and the confronting surface of induction heater ~ (called "Stand off"). The aie gap distance is adjustable by spacer means in the form of standoff wheels 42 which are laterally spaced and bear on upper latecal portions of pipe 4 as illustrated. The wheels are oriented to move longitudinally along the eipe on its upper surface. These wheels are adjustable as illustrated by means of cranks ~4 to raise or lower induction heater 8 and its mountin~ a~sembly lO (FIGURE 3) with respect to pipe 4.
The erltire mountlng a~embly and post bars and roller mechani~ms are supported on a carrlage such as a tractor frame 30 mounted on track~ 32 and ~rovlded with appropriate drive and ~teering means (for examele VC variable speed motors 34) for movement alonc~ the stationary pipe g. The power to run motors 3~ may be provided through generator 16. Of course, depending upon the terrain on which such a normalizer 2 i6 to be used, wheels may support tractor carriage 30 instead of tracks 32, with an approeriate drive means for the wheels being provided.
A pyrometer 46 ~FIGURE 2) or other temperature sensor such as an infra red temperature indicator is provided to give ~2~S~

a reading of the temperature Oe the weld seam during induction heating, which temperature measurement is relayed to a computer 48. Th.is computer either raises or lowers the induction current as required to provide a proper temperature of the heated forged weld. De~ending on the alloy used in the pipe, this temperature may be in the range of 1500F to 1950F.
The unit also may be provided with an ultrasonic tester (not shown) to test and record the weld condition after normalizing.
In operation, as the track-mounted normalizer 2 advances along the stationary line pipe 4, induction heater 8 follows the contour of the pipe as previously described, heater 8 being set to an approp~iate distance above the seam of the pipe by standoff wheels 42. The operator of carriage 10 ensures that induction heater ~ covers the welcl æone using the joy stick of seam t~acker lB. ~Iorizontal and vertical deviatlons in ~hQ llnear nature of the pipe are followed by the heater 8 and carriage 10 by means of roller mechanisms 24 and 28. The temperature developed in weld seam 6 by heater 8 is monitored by pyLometer 46 and appropriately controlled through computer 48.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a line travel normalizer that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many ~2~S~

alternatives, modifications and variations including other heat sources such as plasma, electron beam, oxy-acetylene, oxy-natural gas, oxy-proeane, oxy-mapgas, etc. will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing descrip-tion. Accordingly, it i~ intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A normalizer for linear welds in continuous lengths of pipes made from flat metal strip comprising:
(a) an induction heater to lie selectively over a weld in the pipe being normalized for applying heat to the weld;
(b) a mounting assembly for the induction heater;
(c) a power source for the induction heater;
(d) electrical control means for the induction heater to control the power from the power source to the induction heater;
(e) mechanical means to continuously coordinate the elevation and lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to those of the pipe;
(f) mechanical control means to enable continuous control of the lateral placement of the mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to the pipe weld to be normalized and to ensure proper placement of the induction heater over the weld;
(g) spacer means to permit adjustable spacing of the induction heater a predetermined distance from the pipe weld to be normalized and provide a predetermined constant air gap between the induction heater and that weld;
(h) carriage means on which elements (a) through (g) of the normalizer are mounted for moveably transporting these elements along the pipe to be normalized; and (i) drive and steering means for the carriage means.
2. A normalizer according to claim 1 further provided with a heat sensor means to determine the heat generated at the weld by said induction heater.
3. A normalizer according to claim 2 wherein said heat sensor means is one of an optical pyrometer and an infra red temperature indicator.
4. A normalizer according to claim 2 wherein a computer is electronically associated with said carriage means and with said heat sensor means to control the speed of said carriage means dependent on the heat being generated at the weld by said induction heater.
5. A normalizer according to claim 1 wherein said mounting assembly for said induction heater includes roller bearings to rest on the surface of the pipe and support said mounting assembly thereon.
6. A normalizer according to claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises laterally spaced standoff wheels associated with said mounting assembly to bear on upper, lateral portions of the pipe surface, said standoff wheels being oriented to move longitudinally with respect to the pipe and being mechanically adjustable to provide air gap between said induction heater and the pipe weld.
7. A normalizer according to claim 1 which further comprises a manually operable mechanical means for continuously controlling the lateral placement of said mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to the pipe weld to be normalized.
8. A normalizer according to claim 1 wherein said mounting assembly and induction heater are supported on roller mechanisms freely laterally and vertically moveable on respective supports carried on said carriage means, to permit the continuous coordination of the elevation and lateral placement of said mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to those of the pipe.
9. A normalizer according to claim 6 wherein said mounting assembly and induction heater are supported on roller mechanisms freely laterally and vertically moveable on respective supports carried on said carriage means, to permit the continuous coordination of the elevation and lateral placement of said mounting assembly and induction heater with respect to those of the pipe.
10. A normalizer for a linear weld in a continuous length of pipe comprising:
(a) a carriage for movement along a stationary length of pipe;
(b) an induction heater for inductively heating a weld seam extending longitudinally of the pipe;
(c) a mounting assembly on said carriage for mounting said induction heater over the weld seam of the pipe;
(d) a seam tracker mounted on said carriage for moving said induction heater laterally of the weld seam;
(e) spacer means on said carriage for adjusting said induction heater vertically relative to the pipe during movement of said spacer means along the pipe; and (f) mechanical means to continuously coordinate the elevation and lateral placement of said mounting assembly and inducting heater with respect to those of the pipe.
CA000512649A 1986-06-27 1986-06-27 Normalizer for linear welds of pipes Expired - Fee Related CA1265210A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000512649A CA1265210A (en) 1986-06-27 1986-06-27 Normalizer for linear welds of pipes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000512649A CA1265210A (en) 1986-06-27 1986-06-27 Normalizer for linear welds of pipes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1265210A true CA1265210A (en) 1990-01-30

Family

ID=4133452

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000512649A Expired - Fee Related CA1265210A (en) 1986-06-27 1986-06-27 Normalizer for linear welds of pipes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1265210A (en)

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