Automatic pipe welding apparatus and method

Abstract

A TIG pipe welding method which employs two sets of machine guide surfaces on the pipe ends. First radially inner guide surfaces cooperate with a sensor coupled to the welding torch to continuously monitor the arc gap between the welding electrode and the weld puddle as the welding electrode moves around the circumference of the pipe. The second set of radially outer surfaces cooperate with a welding carriage to guide the carriage and welding modules around the pipe joint. The carriage is constructed to provide a sealed welding chamber surrounding the electrode. An additional flow of shielding gas is provided around the torch electrode of a TIG or hot wire TIG welding module to augment the normal gas shield. The augmented shield provides a gas flow in opposition to pressurized air flowing through the welding chamber to prevent exposure of the weld nugget to the pressurized air flow being maintained in the welding chamber while permitting the pressure forces to be transmitted through this shield to the weld nugget, creating a 'puddle pushing' effect. The transfer of forces through the gas shield, while preventing contaminating air from entering the weld zone itself, provides a positive force for pushing the molten weld puddle through the joint to the interior surfaces of the joined pipe ends. The pressurized air further flows outwardly between the seals of the welding carriage and the pipe surfaces to create an air cushion between the pipes and the carriage. An internal weld backup and pipe alignment ring is also provided.