METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUTT WELDING

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of butt welding of flat steel plate or steel pipe seams by a submerged arc process in which weld metal is deposited in the weld gap from one side only in­ cluding the steps of applying powdered flux (21) to the weld gap, compacting the flux by a support device (10) and a con­ veyor (12) and maintaining the flux in position whilst weld ma­ terial is applied to the weld gap.

Description: This invention relates to metal welding, in particular the butt welding of flat steel plates or pipe seams by the submerged arc process in which a gap is maintained between the plate edges prior to depositing weld metal, with weld metal being deposited from one side only. Means for maintaining the weld gap and proper alignment of edges may be as described in earlier Patent Specification No. 41351/78, or other suitable means. Various methods have been used to control the degree of penetration of the weld metal in one-sided butt w > lding, and to control the profile of the weld deposit on the side remote from the welding head. It is the object of this invention to provide a simple, reliable means of controlling both degree of penetration and remote side weld profile, even in long runs, with minimum equipment and set-up time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided according to the present invention a method of continuous butt welding in which weld metal and flux material is deposited within a gap between two spaced metal surfaces to be welded by said weld metal, in which the flux material is adapted to be supported on a mobile conveyor and maintained within and beneath said gap prior to and during a welding step. Conveniently the metal product to be welded is also. supported on the mobile conveyor, the upper surface of the conveyor being shaped to receive and accommodate a predetermined amount of flux material in compressed condition between the metal product and the conveyor. The conveyor is inclined upwardly towards the under-surface of the metal plate acting to compress deposited flux in use. In a specific form of the invention there is provided a method of continuous butt welding in which weld metal and flux material is deposited within a gap between two spaced metal surfaces to be welded by weld metal comprising a welding head on the upper side of said gap and a stationary support and an endless conveyor mounted for move ment on the support wherein said flux is allowed to drop through said gap onto said endless conveyor, said endless conveyor on the support being adapted to travel with the product being welded, the conveyor being driven by virtue of the frictional contact between said conveyor, flux and said product. The support is inclined for a portion of its length such that whilst travelling along said inclined support, the powdered flux is progressively compacted between said conveyor and said product to be welded, so that welding can be carried out on the product over the level section of the support and conveyor after the flux has been compacted. Surplus flux remains on said conveyor belt until the belt declines over the head end and returns underneath the conveyor frame. The belt can be made either from heat resisting material such as asbestos, or be constructed from mechanical components as illustrated. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be described having reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the assembly; and Figure 2 is a cross sectional view. DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENT The drawings show only the parts relevant to the application and compacting of the flux, the welding apparatus and associated equipment have been omitted for reasons of clarity. Suffice to say that the welding equipment as described in our earlier specification with Application No. 41351/78 is easily adaptable for use with the present invention. The apparatus will be described in reference to the joining of a pipe seam, however, it will be appreciated the invention is applicable to any butt welding of metal parts which are either flat or curved. The device includes a support 10 having an inclined surface portion 11 and the remainder of its length being level. The support has mounted thereon an endless chain conveyor 12. The chain conveyor includes shoes 13 preferably of copper but the shoes may be of asbestos or other heat resistant material or heat conductive material. The support 11 is pivotally mounted at or near its centre by a bracket (not shown) which is secured to the base of the welding machine to provide a rigid support. The endless chain acts as a movable support for an incoming pipe 20 to be welded in the welding section by a submerged arc welding apparatus (not shown). The flux 21 is deposited on the inclined surface of the conveyor supported on the inclined support portion 11 and is held in position by stopper 22. As the pipe 20 moves in direction of travel (arrow A) the flux is compressed between the plate and the shoes 13 as best shown in Figure 2. As the plate continues its travel the distance between the plate and support 10 is constant whereupon welding takes place and the compressed flux bed forms an excellent bed for the molten weld material resulting in a smooth deep-seat weld join. The flux 21 is supplied to the inclined surface to ensure an adequate supply during a welding operation. The apparatus can be used in a method of fluxless welding in which the shoes 13 are of slightly modified shape to lie flush with the inside surface of the plate but having a small longitudinal recess (not shown) along the line of the weld. The shoe 13 may be cooled or be of ceramic material to avoid the effects of overheating.

Claims: I CLAIM: 1. A method of continuous butt welding in which weld metal and flux material is deposited within a gap between two spaced metal surfaces to be welded by said weld metal, in which said flux material is adapted to be supported on a mobile support adjacent to said gap and maintained within and beneath said gap prior to and during welding. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the mobile support is a conveyor having an upper surface shaped to receive and accommodate a predetermined amount of flux material in compressed condition between the metal and the conveyor during welding. 3. A method of continuously butt welding movable metal surfaces in which weld metal and flux material is deposited within a gap between two spaced metal surfaces to be welded comprising a welding head disposed on the upper side of said gap, a stationary support and an endless conveyor mounted for movement on the support wherein said flux is allowed to drop through said gap onto said endless conveyor, said endless conveyo#r being adapted to travel on said support with said metal surfaces being welded, said conveyor being driven by virtue of the frictional contact between said conveyor, flux and said movable metal surfaces. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support is inclined upwardly toward the metal surfaces for a portion of its length such-that whilst the conveyor is travelling along the inclined portion the: powdered flux is progressively compacted between said conveyor and said metal surfaces, said welding step being carried out in said gap over a section of the conveyor after said flux compaction. 5. Apparatus for continuous butt welding of spaced metal surfaces comprising a support for a mobile endless conveyor shaped to support flux material adjacent said spaced. metal surfaces, said conveyor being adapted to compact said flux material to form a solid flux bed adjacent said metal surfaces. 6. A method of continuous butt welding in which weld metal is deposited within a gap between two spaced metal surfaces to be welded by said weld metal, a mobile support being provided beneath the gap in the metal surfaces and maintained beneath said gap prior to and during welding.

Inventors: HUME, KENNETH MICHAEL
Applicants: HUME, KENNETH MICHAEL
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B23K9
IPC codes: B23K9, B23K37