The present invention is directed to a system for welding together segments of a pipeline. The system includes an external alignment mechanism for externally supporting and manipulating the orientation of pipe segments in order to align relative segments. The system also includes an internal welding mechanism for applying a weld to an interior face joint of the two abutted pipe segments. The internal welding mechanism including a torch for applying a weld, a laser for tracking the weld profile and guiding an articulating head of the torch, and a camera for visually inspecting the weld after the weld is applied.

Laser controlled internal welding machine for pipelines

An automatic welder is used in an internal welder unit which travels along the interior of a pipeline and welds the abutting ends of the pipe segments together. The automatic welder has a carriage assembly that contains a laser source for producing a laser beam, first and second line-up clamp assemblies for aligning the respective abutting ends of the pipe segments together, at least one laser beam conductor, or alternatively a reflecting surface positioned between said first and second line-up clamp assemblies along the axis of said beam, for directing said beam to the abutting ends of said first and second pipe segments, and a drive for rotating the reflecting surface around the axis of said beam to direct the beam to the abutting ends of said pipe segments for welding said pipe segments together. The automatic welder can also be configured as an external welder in which the automatic welder carrying a laser source is carried on a track mounted on the outside of the pipeline. As the external welder orbits around the pipeline, the laser source generates a laser beam which is directed at the junction of the abutting ends of the pipe segments for welding them together. Arc and laser beads can be combined to form a composite welding joint.

Arc and laser welding process for pipeline

A system for welding two pipes includes a first pipe clamp, a second pipe clamp, a weld torch, an inspection detector, a motor, one or more processors, and a grinder. The weld torch is configured to create a weld joint between the pipes at an interface region between the pipes. The inspection detector is configured to emit an inspection beam of radiation. The motor is operatively associated with the inspection detector to direct the inspection beam of radiation along the weld joint between the pipes. The one or more processors are operatively associated with the inspection detector to determine a profile of the weld joint between the pipes. The grinder is configured to grind at least a portion of the weld joint between the pipes based on the profile of the weld joint between the pipes.

Systems and methods for use in welding pipe segments of a pipeline

An automatic welder is used in an internal welder unit which travels along the interior of a pipeline and welds the abutting ends of the pipe segments together. The automatic welder has a carriage assembly that contains a laser source for producing a laser beam, first and second line-up clamp assemblies for aligning the respective abutting ends of the pipe segments together, at least one laser beam conductor, or alternatively a reflecting surface positioned between said first and second line-up clamp assemblies along the axis of said beam, for directing said beam to the abutting ends of said first and second pipe segments, and a drive for rotating the reflecting surface around the axis of said beam to direct the beam to the abutting ends of said pipe segments for welding said pipe segments together.

Internal laser welder for pipeline

Disclosed herein is a device for cutting a pipe from the inside by the oxy-arc cutting technique. This device comprises, in combination, guide means for guiding the device proper inside a pipe subjected to cutting, fixing means provided with a plurality of claws adapted to be thrust radially from a cylinder in the direction of the inner wall of the pipe by the action of a piston actuated by the supply of a compressed fluid to the cylinder so as to hold the device immovable in position inside the pipe, and oxy-arc cutting means for cutting the pipe from the inside by the use of a covered hollow stick cutting rod rotated by a rotary shaft pierced through the center of the piston, with the exposed core of the cutting rod held in sliding contact under a fixed force with the inner wall of the pipe.

Oxy-arc apparatus for cutting inside a pipe

An internal pipe-welding device having a carriage, an internal pipe clamp, a rotating welding nozzle which is pivotally mounted and biased away from its welding position, a pressure responsive means connected to the welding nozzle and adapted to move the welding nozzle to welding position responsive to the supply of shielding gas through a single service lead supplying the welding potential, the motive power for feeding electrode and the shielding gas. The pivoting of the welding nozzle also pivots a contact button which makes contact to supply electricity for welding to the welding nozzle only when the nozzle is in welding position.

Travis Howell

Papers

Shielding gas pressure actuated pipe-welding device