Patent ID: 6417488
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a metal pipe extending along a horizontal axis for rotation about said horizontal axis and depositing material in a welding operation on an interior surface of said metal pipe, said apparatus including a welding monitoring device comprising:a horizontally extending arm having a base end and a leading end, said base end supported by said apparatus; a welding torch attached to a portion of said arm near said leading end and positionable on the interior of the metal pipe adjacent to the internal surface of said metal pipe, said torch axially movable along said horizontal axis with respect to said metal pipe; a mirror attached at the leading end of the arm; a camera positioned in spaced apart relation to the mirror for receiving an image of said welding operation including welding beads deposited by said torch near a vicinity of arc light generated by said horizontal torch and reflected by said mirror; and a monitoring device coupled to the camera for monitoring said welding operation.