GB867017A - Improvements relating to welding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

867,017. Welding by fusion. WHESSOE Ltd. Aug. 17, 1959 [May 16, 1958], No. 15787/58. Class 83 (4). In a machine for welding circular seams, the welding head is carried on a radius arm pivotally supported centrally of the seam and carrying a motor driving a roller or wheel along a circular track to rotate the arm. The radius arm 9, Fig. 1, has spaced flanges 28, 29, one of which is attached to the upper part 8 of a horizontal ball-race. The lower part 17 is adjustably mounted on a spider 14 bolted to lugs 13 attached to a reinforcing ring 6 which is to be welded to shell plates 7 of a vessel. The radius arm 9 carries a roller 10 running on the upper edge of the ring 6 and driven by a motor 12 through an infinitely variable hydraulic gear. A welding-head 11, e.g. for flux submerged or inert gas shielded arc welding, is mounted on the end of the radius arm 9. The welding electrode tip is adjustable relative to the welding-head which carries a guide light. If desired, a hinge may be included in the radius arm to ensure that the roller 10 which engages the work remains in engagement. In a modification, the radius arm 69, Fig. 3, is secured to a cylinder 68 rotatably mounted on a post 67 by a ball 66 and bearings 64, 65. In a further modification, two radius arms 49, Fig. 4, are interconnected to form a frame carrying the welding head 11 and rotated about the supporting pivot 48 by a driven roller 40. An idler roller 41 is also provided. In the welding of horizontal circular seams in vessels, the radius arm 59, Fig. 5, is adjustably mounted on a post 58 and the roller 10 runs on a track 56 within the vessel for making an internal weld or on the plates being welded when an external weld is being made. In the latter case an extension 52 on the radius arm 59 supports the welding-head 11. Specification 777,599 is referred to.