GB2134204A - Apparatus for aligning members - Google Patents

Apparatus for aligning members Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2134204A
GB2134204A GB08401282A GB8401282A GB2134204A GB 2134204 A GB2134204 A GB 2134204A GB 08401282 A GB08401282 A GB 08401282A GB 8401282 A GB8401282 A GB 8401282A GB 2134204 A GB2134204 A GB 2134204A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
clamp
unit
pipe
movable
jaw
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08401282A
Other versions
GB8401282D0 (en
Inventor
Derek Brian Allen
Martin Arthur William Blake
David Robert Campbell
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.)
British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
Original Assignee
British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
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
Priority claimed from GB838301673A external-priority patent/GB8301673D0/en
Application filed by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd filed Critical British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
Priority to GB08401282A priority Critical patent/GB2134204A/en
Publication of GB8401282D0 publication Critical patent/GB8401282D0/en
Publication of GB2134204A publication Critical patent/GB2134204A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/04—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work
    • B23K37/053—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work aligning cylindrical work; Clamping devices therefor
    • B23K37/0533—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work aligning cylindrical work; Clamping devices therefor external pipe alignment clamps

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Butt Welding And Welding Of Specific Article (AREA)

Abstract

A portable apparatus for bringing the ends of two pipes into abutment prior to welding comprises individually operable, aligned first and second clamp units 1,2 each to receive and hold a respective pipe. Operation of one of the clamp units initiates relative axial displacement of the units to bring the pipes into end-to-end abutment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for aligning members The present invention concerns an apparatus for aligning two members in end-to-end abutment. In general,the invention concerns a portable apparatus which can be positioned and secured on the members wherebyto hold the members in aligned, abutting end-to-end relationship inorderto perform a required workoperation. In particular, the invention can be emproyedto hold togethertwo lengths of pipe or tube which are to be welded attheirabutting ends.
According to the present invention an apparatus for aligning two members in end-to-end abutment comprises individually operable, aligned first and second clamp units each to receive and hold a respective one of the members and means responsive to operation of one ofthe clamp units to initiate relative axial displacementofthe units to bring the members into end-to-end abutment.
The invention will be described further, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which :- Figure 1 is a simplified diagrammatic arrangement of an apparatusfor aligning tubes or rods in end-toend abutment; Figure 2 is a section through a clamp unit, on line A-A in Figure t; and Figure 3 is a diagram of a pneumatic circuitforthe apparatus.
The apparatus comprises clamp units 1 and 2 carried on a pair of parallel shafts 3. The left hand unit 2 in Figure 1 is fixedlysecured to the shafts and the right hand unit 1 is slidable on the shafts. Each clamp unit comprises a clamp body 4 having a fixed clamp jaw 5 and a movable clamp jaw6, the latter being pivotable about an axis 7. The fixed and movable jaws can carry cooperating inserts 8 and 9 respectively to engage abouta pipe ortube to be secured in the clamp unit. The inserts are removable and replaceable and the clamp units can be provided with a range of different inserts to receive pipes or tubes of different diameters. Alternatively, the inserts 8 and 9 can be omitted and adjustment achieved by means of a hand operated screw on the movable clamp jaw.
Theendofthe movable clamp jaw6 remote from the insert9 is coupled by a toggle linkage I Oto piston rod 11 extending from pneumatic cylinder 12. In the position illustrated in Figure 2 the movable clamp jaw 6 is in its operative position with respect to the fixed jaw 5 whereby to clamp a pipe (not shown) in the unit.
The toggle comprises links 13 and 14 with one end of each link being pivotally connected to the end of the piston rod at pivot 15. The opposite end of link 13 is coupled to the end of the movable clamp jaw 6 by a pivot pin 16 and the opposite end of the link 14 is pivotable aboutafixedtoggle pin 17. The toggle ensuresthatthe movable jaw 6 remains in its clamping position until the pivot axis 15 is displaced to the opposite side of a line joining the axes 16 and 17 upon displacement of the piston rod 1 1.The two clamp units 1 and 2 are substantially identical and operate in a similar manner.
The apparatus can be used to align the ends of two pipes which are to be welded together. Afirst pipe will be located and clamped in the clamp unit 1 and a second pipe in the clamp unit 2. The unit 1 is then displaced axially by sliding along the guide rods 3 to bring the end of the pipe therein into abutment with the end of the pipe car ned inthe unit2.
The apparatus operates as follows by means of a pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 3. The pipes to be welded are positioned to acceptthe apparatus which is then placed on the pipes by an operator. The apparatus is provided with handles 19. Conveniently the apparatus is arranged such that an end ofthe pipe associated with the fixed clamp unit, that is the left hand unit in Figure 1,ivan alignmentwith a notch 18 on the guide rod 3. The operator then depresses a start button 20 and a first clamp button 21 whereby to displace valve 22 and actuate the piston rod 11 to displace the movable clamp jaw 6 of the fixed clamp unit 2 into its clamping position about the pipe. The clamp jaw 6 will remain in this clamping position until actuation of a reset button 23.Upon satisfactory positioning ofthefirst clamp unit on the first pipe the operator depresses the start button 20 and a second clamp button 24 associated with the clamp unit 1 wherebyto displace valve 25 and actuatethe movable jaw 6 of the clamp unit 1. The movable jaw 6 ofthe clamp unit 1 in closing actuates a switch 26to actuate a piston and cylinder assembly 27 which effects longitudinal displacement of the clamp unit 1 with respect to the fixed clamp unit 2. Assembly 27 is mounted on the clamp unit 1 and the rod is connected by an extension 28 to the clamp unit 2. The pipe carried by the right hand clamp unit is thereby carried towards the end of the pipe in the fixed clamp unit. As the stroke of the piston and cylinder 27 is limited it may be necessary to repeatthe operation of the movable clamp unit.That is the operatorwill depress reset button 29 to release the movable clamp jaw of thins clamp unitandto return the piston to its initial position within the cylinder. A repeat operation will again actuate the movable clamp jawto gripthe pipe and to move it through an axial displacement towards the end of the fixed first pipe.
This operation can be repeated as manytimes as required to bring the ends ofthetwo pipes into abutment. Thereafter the ends can be welded together. After welding the apparatus is removed from about the pipes by actuating both reset buttons 23 and 29 to open the respective clamp jaws to release the clamp units.
Thebuttonsarespring-loadedto returnautomati- callyto their initial positions upon release by the operator. Pressure reliefvalves can be provided in the pneumatic circuit.
1. Apparatus for aligning two members in end-toend abutment comprising individually operable, aligned first and second clamp units each to receive and hold a respective one ofthe members and means responsive to operation of one ofthe clamp units to initiate relative axial displacement of the units to bring the members into end-to-end abutment.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said one ofthe clamp units is movable and the other clamp unit is fixed.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for aligning members The present invention concerns an apparatus for aligning two members in end-to-end abutment. In general,the invention concerns a portable apparatus which can be positioned and secured on the members wherebyto hold the members in aligned, abutting end-to-end relationship inorderto perform a required workoperation. In particular, the invention can be emproyedto hold togethertwo lengths of pipe or tube which are to be welded attheirabutting ends. According to the present invention an apparatus for aligning two members in end-to-end abutment comprises individually operable, aligned first and second clamp units each to receive and hold a respective one of the members and means responsive to operation of one ofthe clamp units to initiate relative axial displacementofthe units to bring the members into end-to-end abutment. The invention will be described further, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which :- Figure 1 is a simplified diagrammatic arrangement of an apparatusfor aligning tubes or rods in end-toend abutment; Figure 2 is a section through a clamp unit, on line A-A in Figure t; and Figure 3 is a diagram of a pneumatic circuitforthe apparatus. The apparatus comprises clamp units 1 and 2 carried on a pair of parallel shafts 3. The left hand unit 2 in Figure 1 is fixedlysecured to the shafts and the right hand unit 1 is slidable on the shafts. Each clamp unit comprises a clamp body 4 having a fixed clamp jaw 5 and a movable clamp jaw6, the latter being pivotable about an axis 7. The fixed and movable jaws can carry cooperating inserts 8 and 9 respectively to engage abouta pipe ortube to be secured in the clamp unit. The inserts are removable and replaceable and the clamp units can be provided with a range of different inserts to receive pipes or tubes of different diameters. Alternatively, the inserts 8 and 9 can be omitted and adjustment achieved by means of a hand operated screw on the movable clamp jaw. Theendofthe movable clamp jaw6 remote from the insert9 is coupled by a toggle linkage I Oto piston rod 11 extending from pneumatic cylinder 12. In the position illustrated in Figure 2 the movable clamp jaw 6 is in its operative position with respect to the fixed jaw 5 whereby to clamp a pipe (not shown) in the unit. The toggle comprises links 13 and 14 with one end of each link being pivotally connected to the end of the piston rod at pivot 15. The opposite end of link 13 is coupled to the end of the movable clamp jaw 6 by a pivot pin 16 and the opposite end of the link 14 is pivotable aboutafixedtoggle pin 17. The toggle ensuresthatthe movable jaw 6 remains in its clamping position until the pivot axis 15 is displaced to the opposite side of a line joining the axes 16 and 17 upon displacement of the piston rod 1 1.The two clamp units 1 and 2 are substantially identical and operate in a similar manner. The apparatus can be used to align the ends of two pipes which are to be welded together. Afirst pipe will be located and clamped in the clamp unit 1 and a second pipe in the clamp unit 2. The unit 1 is then displaced axially by sliding along the guide rods 3 to bring the end of the pipe therein into abutment with the end of the pipe car ned inthe unit2. The apparatus operates as follows by means of a pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 3. The pipes to be welded are positioned to acceptthe apparatus which is then placed on the pipes by an operator. The apparatus is provided with handles 19. Conveniently the apparatus is arranged such that an end ofthe pipe associated with the fixed clamp unit, that is the left hand unit in Figure 1,ivan alignmentwith a notch 18 on the guide rod 3. The operator then depresses a start button 20 and a first clamp button 21 whereby to displace valve 22 and actuate the piston rod 11 to displace the movable clamp jaw 6 of the fixed clamp unit 2 into its clamping position about the pipe. The clamp jaw 6 will remain in this clamping position until actuation of a reset button 23.Upon satisfactory positioning ofthefirst clamp unit on the first pipe the operator depresses the start button 20 and a second clamp button 24 associated with the clamp unit 1 wherebyto displace valve 25 and actuatethe movable jaw 6 of the clamp unit 1. The movable jaw 6 ofthe clamp unit 1 in closing actuates a switch 26to actuate a piston and cylinder assembly 27 which effects longitudinal displacement of the clamp unit 1 with respect to the fixed clamp unit 2. Assembly 27 is mounted on the clamp unit 1 and the rod is connected by an extension 28 to the clamp unit 2. The pipe carried by the right hand clamp unit is thereby carried towards the end of the pipe in the fixed clamp unit. As the stroke of the piston and cylinder 27 is limited it may be necessary to repeatthe operation of the movable clamp unit.That is the operatorwill depress reset button 29 to release the movable clamp jaw of thins clamp unitandto return the piston to its initial position within the cylinder. A repeat operation will again actuate the movable clamp jawto gripthe pipe and to move it through an axial displacement towards the end of the fixed first pipe. This operation can be repeated as manytimes as required to bring the ends ofthetwo pipes into abutment. Thereafter the ends can be welded together. After welding the apparatus is removed from about the pipes by actuating both reset buttons 23 and 29 to open the respective clamp jaws to release the clamp units. Thebuttonsarespring-loadedto returnautomati- callyto their initial positions upon release by the operator. Pressure reliefvalves can be provided in the pneumatic circuit. CLAIMS
1. Apparatus for aligning two members in end-toend abutment comprising individually operable, aligned first and second clamp units each to receive and hold a respective one ofthe members and means responsive to operation of one ofthe clamp units to initiate relative axial displacement of the units to bring the members into end-to-end abutment.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said one ofthe clamp units is movable and the other clamp unit is fixed.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the clamp units are carried on parallel shafts.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or3 in which the responsive means comprises a piston and cylinder assembly mounted on the movable clamp unit with the piston rod of the assembly connected to the fixed clamp unit.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which each clamp unit comprises a body having a fixed clamp jaw, a movable clamp jaw and removable inserts cooperable with the jaws to adjustablyvary the size of the jaws.
6. Apparatus for aligning two members in end-toend abutment substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB08401282A 1983-01-21 1984-01-18 Apparatus for aligning members Withdrawn GB2134204A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08401282A GB2134204A (en) 1983-01-21 1984-01-18 Apparatus for aligning members

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB838301673A GB8301673D0 (en) 1983-01-21 1983-01-21 Aligning members
GB08401282A GB2134204A (en) 1983-01-21 1984-01-18 Apparatus for aligning members

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8401282D0 GB8401282D0 (en) 1984-02-22
GB2134204A true GB2134204A (en) 1984-08-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08401282A Withdrawn GB2134204A (en) 1983-01-21 1984-01-18 Apparatus for aligning members

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GB (1) GB2134204A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0576041A1 (en) * 1990-11-15 1993-12-29 RAFELD KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GmbH &amp; Co. KG Pipe system for sanitary and heating systems, entirely or predominantly made of plastic
US7926534B2 (en) * 2002-03-28 2011-04-19 Fast Fusion, Llc Pipe welder for simultaneously fusing a plurality of polyethylene pipes

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1408608A (en) * 1972-10-18 1975-10-01 Hunter J Pipe jointing
GB1428512A (en) * 1973-08-28 1976-03-17 Mcelroy A H Apparatus for joining plastics pipe sections
GB2038436A (en) * 1978-11-14 1980-07-23 Haxey Eng Ltd Device for Joining Plastics Pipe Sections
GB2048413A (en) * 1979-04-05 1980-12-10 Fusion Equipment Ltd Fusion welding of pipe parts
GB2053398A (en) * 1979-07-14 1981-02-04 Hy Ram Eng Co Ltd Improvements relating to hydraulic clamping
EP0027225A1 (en) * 1979-10-11 1981-04-22 Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for welding coaxially arranged plastics tubes or fittings
GB2105806A (en) * 1981-09-11 1983-03-30 Fusion Equipment Ltd Fusion jointing of thermoplastics material
GB2124316A (en) * 1982-06-29 1984-02-15 Mitsui Petrochemical Ind Fusion jointing apparatus

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1408608A (en) * 1972-10-18 1975-10-01 Hunter J Pipe jointing
GB1428512A (en) * 1973-08-28 1976-03-17 Mcelroy A H Apparatus for joining plastics pipe sections
GB2038436A (en) * 1978-11-14 1980-07-23 Haxey Eng Ltd Device for Joining Plastics Pipe Sections
GB2048413A (en) * 1979-04-05 1980-12-10 Fusion Equipment Ltd Fusion welding of pipe parts
GB2053398A (en) * 1979-07-14 1981-02-04 Hy Ram Eng Co Ltd Improvements relating to hydraulic clamping
EP0027225A1 (en) * 1979-10-11 1981-04-22 Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for welding coaxially arranged plastics tubes or fittings
GB2105806A (en) * 1981-09-11 1983-03-30 Fusion Equipment Ltd Fusion jointing of thermoplastics material
GB2124316A (en) * 1982-06-29 1984-02-15 Mitsui Petrochemical Ind Fusion jointing apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0576041A1 (en) * 1990-11-15 1993-12-29 RAFELD KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GmbH &amp; Co. KG Pipe system for sanitary and heating systems, entirely or predominantly made of plastic
US5286001A (en) * 1990-11-15 1994-02-15 Karl Rafeld Kg Spritzgusswerk, Elektronik Und Formenbau Plumbing and heating pipe system for water supply purposes, made either completely or mainly of plastic material, especially of polypropylene
US7926534B2 (en) * 2002-03-28 2011-04-19 Fast Fusion, Llc Pipe welder for simultaneously fusing a plurality of polyethylene pipes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8401282D0 (en) 1984-02-22

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)