Patent ID: 8746536

Claim:
A metal tube and rod weld stress compensation system comprising: a) a primary metal tube or rod clamp assembly having means for retaining a primary metal tube or rod at spaced positions along the length of said tube or rod, said primary metal tube or rod clamp assembly including an adjustable pressure pad disposed to apply weld stress compensating pressure to the surface of said primary metal tube or rod opposite a locus of welding, said pressure pad is configured to apply said weld stress compensating pressure to said surface of said tube or rod along a length corresponding to a length along said tube or rod of said locus of welding, and said pressure pad is configured to permit weld-ing access to the entire locus of welding; b) a secondary metal tube or rod clamp assembly having means for selectively, angularly and fixedly positioning said secondary tube relative to said primary tube for intersection along a join line at said locus of welding and means for attachment to said primary clamp assembly in a precise fixed position for said intersection without disturbing said angular position of said secondary metal tube or rod, and without blocking said access to said locus of welding; c) said primary clamp assembly includes means for engaging the secondary clamp assembly attachment means without disturbing the angular position of the secondary metal tube or rod, and without blocking said access to said locus of welding; and d) said pressure pad, upon adjustment, reducing warping of said primary metal tube or rod as a result of welding stresses generated when said primary and secondary metal tubes or rods are welded together at said intersecting join line, by applying a weld stress compensation pressure onto said primary tube or rod surface opposite said locus of welding.