Patent ID: 9434030
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: B23K,B29C

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for use in welding a first pipe free end to a second pipe free end, said first and second pipe free ends each having a diameter of less than about 12 inches, said apparatus comprising: a) a guide rail; b) a first clamp mounted to the guide rail, the first clamp comprising c) a second clamp mounted to the guide rail in axial alignment with the first clamp, the second clamp comprising wherein at least one of said first and second clamps being actuable to move along the guide rail to hold said first pipe free end or said second pipe free end in close coaxial opposition with the other of said first pipe free end or said second pipe free end wherein the apparatus further comprises a movable frame configured to support the guide rail, and a roller assembly movably mounted to the movable frame and configured to support the first pipe or the second pipe, the roller assembly being configured for movement relative to the frame between a first position where the first free end or the second free end is disposed in the first trough or the second trough, and a second position vertically spaced from the first position such that said first pipe free end or second pipe free end is suspended above the first trough or the second trough, respectively, and wherein the frame or the pipe is configured such that said frame or pipe can be advanced in an axial direction when the roller assembly is in the second position.