Patent FR-2899142-A1 (FR)
Title: Orbital carrier for a device for butt-welding pipes to form a pipeline, comprises two components in the form of segments of a semi-circle to be connected together to form the orbital carrier around the pipes during a welding phase
Inventor: DUPONT THIERRY
IPC: B23K9/028
Filed: 2006-03-28
Abstract: The orbital carrier for a device for butt-welding pipes (C, C') to form a pipeline, comprises two components (20) in the form of segments of a semi-circle to be connected together to form the orbital carrier around the pipes during a welding phase and to allow the orbital carrier to be opened at the top to allow it to pass an obstruction on the outside of the pipe. The device comprises a welding carriage (1) supporting a welding head (6), which has a welding torch. The orbital carrier surrounds the pipes to be welded. The orbital carrier for a device for butt-welding pipes (C, C') to form a pipeline, comprises two components (20) in the form of segments of a semi-circle to be connected together to form the orbital carrier around the pipes during a welding phase and to allow the orbital carrier to be opened at the top to allow it to pass an obstruction on the outside of the pipe. The device comprises a welding carriage (1) supporting a welding head (6), which has a welding torch. The orbital carrier surrounds the pipes to be welded and is designed to enable positioning and movement in the plane of the joint between the pipes of the welding carriage or carriages. The orbital carrier is translational movable along the pipeline. The orbital carrier is carried by a carrier unit driven in translation along the pipeline. Each component in semi-circle is arranged in a perpendicular plane, in which extends the pipe at an angle. The semi-circles are equally driven in rotation. Each component is carried by a bracket constituting a vertical mount and a traverse at the end of which higher and lower part of the component in the semi-circle are fixed. The vertical mount of the bracket is assembled in a rotation on a base (5) carried by the carrier unit such as base. The base present in a guide rail is intended to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the pipes. Each base of the bracket assembled in driven along the rail sides of the pipes. One of the circular segments receives the ends and another end of movable circular segment. Opposite end of the movable segment is connected on the free end of the segment to form the orbital carrier and arranged the free end of the circular segment to open the higher part of the support. The orbital carrier comprises three circular segments. The circular segment is placed to constitute the lower part of the orbital support. The fixed segment of a circle is carried by the carrier unit. The assuring unit of the movable circular segments are carried out to place and to align the circular segments. The end of the components of the complementary guidance unit allows aligned positioning of the components connected between them. The each end of the components in circular segments is equipped with connecting unit and interlock to the closed carrier. An independent claim is included for a welding pipe device.