Patent ID: 6230072
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B23K,G05B

Abstract:
An automated system for applying weld overlay to the eroded surface of boiler tubes in boiler wall panels, comprising:a three axis means to form a cylindrical coordinate system comprising a rotational device having a rotational axis, a Z axis device having a Z axis, and a radial device having a radial axis;a means for attaching said Z axis device to said rotation device so that said Z axis device is rotable about its Z axis;a means for attaching said radial device to said Z axis device so that said radial device is movable along said Z axis and said radial axis is at a right angle to said Z axis;a tool mount holding multiple tools attached to the end of said radial device so that said tool mount is movable by said radial device in a direction of said radial axis;a torch gimbaling tool attached to said tool mount, wherein said torch gimbaling tool comprises: A torch mount, a first semicircular slide, a first slide carriage, a first slide mount, a second semicircular slide, a second slide carriage, a second slide mount, and a welding torch;said torch mount attached to first slide carriage so that said welding torch is held parallel to the radius of said first semicircular slide;said first semicircular slide attached to said first slide mount;said first slide mount attached to said second slide carriage so that said welding torch is held parallel to the radius of said second semicircular slide so that said first semicircular slide and said second semicircular slide rotate said welding torch about a single point near the end of said welding torch; said second slide mount attached to said tool mount so that said welding torch is accessible to said boiler tubes;a tube tracking system attached to said tool mount, wherein said tube tracking system is comprised of a laser distance gauge with a laser beam, a tube tracking slide with a tube tracking stepper motor oscillating said laser distance gauge;said laser distance gauge attached to said tube tracking slide so that said laser beam is at a right angle to a direction of motion of said tube tracking slide;said tube tracking system attached to said tool mount so that said laser beam accesses said boiler tubes;means for supporting said three axis so that said Z axis device and said radial device are rotable about said Z axis by said rotation device;means for driving said rotation device;means for driving said Z axis device;means for driving said radial device;means for driving said semicircular slide;means for driving said second semicircular slide;means for driving said oscillating slide.