GB758244A - Welding tool manipulating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

758,244. Uniting by fusion. GRAVER TANK & MFG. CO., Inc. Oct. 22, 1952 [Oct. 24, 1951], No. 26565/52. Class 83 (4). In a machine for welding the horizontal seams W, Fig. 2, of vertical tank shell plates P2 a carriage 10 travelling along the upper edge T2 of the plates carries welding tools 33 on frames 30 urged against the plates and having means contacting the plates to control the distance of the welding tools 33 from the work. The frames 30 are pivotally supported on bearings 28, Fig. 1, on each side of the tank wall and projecting in a direction parallel to a tangent of the tank curvature and supported below the carriage 10 by rack arms 20 which are vertically adjustable by pinions 22, Fig. 3, and handles 23 to bring the welding tools 33 into position opposite the line of weld. Each frame 30, Fig. 6, carries an adjustably mounted automatic welding head 33. Electrode wire is supplied from a roll 38 carried by the frame 30. The part of the frame 30 engaging the face of the tank shell comprises a flux applicator belt 41 as described in copending Specification 758,245 supported on a bar 42 which is mounted on a vertical pivot 44 at the base 43 of the frame 30 to permit the belt 41 to adjust itself to the angle of the shell. Powder or granular flux 39 is supplied to the belts 41 by a pipe 45 from a small hopper 46 on the frame 30. The carriage 10 runs round the edge of the tank shell on wheels 12, 13, Fig. 3, adjustable in position by slotted plates 16 to suit tanks of different curvature, the wheel 12 being driven by an electric motor 14. Supported from the carriage is a framework 61 carrying a platform 62 for the operator on each side of the tank, ladders 63 and walkway 65 being provided to permit the operator to cross from one side to the other. Wheels 66 on the frame 61 engage the tank wall to stabilize the carriage 10. In operation the tank seam may be welded on both sides of the wall simultaneously control being provided from one or the other of boxes 50 on the frames 30 which control the density of welding current and feed rate of elctrode wire. Electric interconnection is provided so that starting or stopping of the carriage automatically starts or stops the welding current and vice versa. A weld may be applied first on one side of the seam and then on the other and in this case one of the frames 30 may be used to support a backing member in making the first weld. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 704,963.