Cajon Company

Swagelok Company

Charles N Richards

James M Kane

Ernest A Benway

Theodore J Gausman

Ronald K Fisher, Jr

Michael J Mussig

David N Stafford

A facing tool includes a fixture that securely holds a workpiece, and a fixture retainer that secures the fixture and workpiece against axial and radial movement during a facing operation. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a two piece construction that allows a first piece to be swung away from the second piece to accommodate a variety of sizes of workpieces. Provision is also made for a positive load on the cutting tool to reduce or eliminate tool vibration, as well as a chip shield that deflects debris away from the workpiece. A tool spindle is provided that allows for a plurality of cutting tool positions on the spindle to accommodate different workpiece diameters.

Chip shield for facing tool

Facing tool

An orbital welding apparatus (B) comprises a modular weld head apparatus (10) including a rotor assembly (20) which carries a welding electrode (26). The rotor assembly is rotated about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. The rotor assembly includes a C-shaped insulating rotor member (22) which has teeth (28) disposed around an outside periphery thereof. The insulating rotor member is configured to receive an electrically conductive member (24). The conductive member is insulated by the rotor member to reduce arcing from the conductive member to other components. A drive assembly (98) within the weld head assembly engages the insulating rotor member to rotate the rotor assembly about the axis during welding.

Orbital welding apparatus

An orbital welding apparatus includes a first housing defining a weld head assembly and a circular rotor disposed therein for rotation about a first axis. A welding electrode is carried by the rotor for welding. A second housing separate from the first housing forms a power transmission and has a second drive shaft extending therefrom. A flexible drive shaft connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to conduct rotary drive forces from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft while permitting the relative orientations of the first and second housings to be freely adjustable. A third and independent housing carries an electric drive motor and forms a power drive motor module with a rotary output shaft. A releasable clamping mechanism is provided for positioning and holding cylindrical members to be welded in an axially aligned relationship with their ends abutting in a single plane. A safety interlock mechanism is provided for sensing the releasable clamping mechanism in an operative position to prevent inadvertent operation or operation of the welding unit when the clamping mechanism is malaligned.

Orbital welding apparatus with safety interlock

An orbital welding apparatus comprising a modular weld head unit including a circular rotor carrying a welding electrode for rotation about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. A drive assembly for driving the rotor includes a motor unit carried in a separate modular housing for ready manual connection and disconnection from the weld head unit. In the preferred form a transmission module is connected with the motor unit and connects to the weld head unit by a flexible drive shaft assembly to allow the motor unit to have substantially any desired orientation relative to the weld head unit. There is also disclosed a separate clamping assembly for holding the tubular members relative to the weld head unit.

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Twinsburg, OH, United States of America

Charles N Richards