Patent ID: 8987635
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. An automatic mechanical guide system for one or more torches of a welding unit in a groove delimited by bevelled end surfaces of two metal parts to be welded together, comprising: a main bug that moves along a fixed guide more or less parallel to the groove; a secondary bug that is connected to the main bug by a jointed connecting assembly and includes a torch holder and a guide device comprising roller components in contact with surfaces of the metal parts bordering the groove and tracer components that enter into the groove; the guide device comprising a first tracer and roller assembly that is located at the front of the secondary bug, in a direction of movement of the main bug, and comprises a front tracer component in contact with one of two side walls of the groove and a front roller component rolling on the surface of one of the two metal parts on one side of the groove and a second tracer and roller assembly that is located at the rear of the secondary bug and comprises a rear tracer component in contact with the other side wall of the groove and a rear roller component rolling on the surface of the other metal part on the other side of the groove, the one of more torches then being mounted on the secondary bug so they are between the first and second tracer and roller assemblies; the jointed connecting assembly comprising a first pivot axis that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the main bug and is located in a plane parallel to a mid-plane of the groove and a second pivot axis that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the main bug and perpendicular to the mid-plane of the groove, the first and second pivot axis being located between the first and second tracer and roller assemblies; lateral pushing means being provided that act on the secondary bug to urge it to pivot about the first pivot axis so that each tracer component stays in contact with the associated wall of the groove and pushing means that constantly push the roller components on the secondary bug against the metal parts respectively associated with them; and a third pivot axis that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the main bug and is located in a plane parallel to the mid-plane of the groove, the third pivot axis being outside the torch holder and pushing means being provided that act on the secondary bug to urge it to pivot about the third pivot axis so that an axis of the one of more torches is aligned with an axis of a join plane and the secondary bug then returns to its original position.