Abstract

With the present invention, the combination of amplitudes and velocities of rotary and axial motions required for an Induction-Kinetic Welding (IKW) process are achieved with Stewart Platforms, also known as parallel actuators, which typically have 6-DoF. The 6-DoF systems are used to generate the kinetic heating essential to the IKW process. Another new welding process uses only axial (longitudinal) motion, in contrast to prior systems which rely upon some form of transverse shear motion. The present invention takes advantage of this new single axis IKW discovery in combination with the 6-DoF discovery to enable an entirely new spectrum of welding capabilities for the IKW process. In an embodiment the system includes a claim shell type apparatus allowing for opening and closing the welding system around the components to be welded.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 37/053 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work aligning cylindrical workClamping devices therefor
• B23K 13/02 - Seam welding
• B23K 101/06 - Tubes
• B25J 9/00 - Programme-controlled manipulators

Abstract

A parallel robotics apparatus for induction-kinetic welding comprising: a first stage and a second stage movably disposed in a frame, wherein the first stage aligns with a first plane and the second stage aligns with a second plane; a plurality of linear actuators, wherein one of a first end and a second end of the plurality of linear actuators are movably disposed in the first stage and the other of the first end and the second end are movably disposed in the second stage, wherein the first stage and the second stage are movable within six degrees of freedom of each other; further including a first chuck disposed in a middle portion of the first stage and a second chuck disposed in a middle portion of the second stage, wherein the first chuck is adapted to retain a first workpiece to be induction-kinetic welded to a second workpiece retained in the second chuck, wherein the apparatus is adapted to motion the first chuck and the second chuck translationally in an X, Y, and Z direction and rotationally in a Roll, Pitch and Yaw (R, P, Y) motion relative to each other, wherein the apparatus is adapted to rapidly and precisely motion the first workpiece and the second workpiece against each other translationally and rotationally until a dynamic recrystallization occurs within a viscoplastic flow gradient of the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01J 19/08 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor
• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding
• B23K 20/26 - Auxiliary equipment
• B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work

Abstract

A parallel robotics apparatus for induction-kinetic welding comprising: a first stage and a second stage movably disposed in a frame, wherein the first stage aligns with a first plane and the second stage aligns with a second plane; a plurality of linear actuators, wherein one of a first end and a second end of the plurality of linear actuators are movably disposed in the first stage and the other of the first end and the second end are movably disposed in the second stage, wherein the first stage and the second stage are movable within six degrees of freedom of each other; further including a first chuck disposed in a middle portion of the first stage and a second chuck disposed in a middle portion of the second stage, wherein the first chuck is adapted to retain a first workpiece to be induction-kinetic welded to a second workpiece retained in the second chuck, wherein the apparatus is adapted to motion the first chuck and the second chuck translationally in an X, Y, and Z direction and rotationally in a Roll, Pitch and Yaw (R, P, Y) motion relative to each other, wherein the apparatus is adapted to rapidly and precisely motion the first workpiece and the second workpiece against each other translationally and rotationally until a dynamic recrystallization occurs within a viscoplastic flow gradient of the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding
• B01J 19/08 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor
• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• B23K 20/26 - Auxiliary equipment
• B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work

Abstract

An apparatus and method of alloying a weld in an induction-kinetic welding of metal parts together includes heating substantially planar portions of two metal parts with an induction heating coil in between the planar portions. During at least a portion of the step of heating the planar portions, flowing a gas containing an alloying element in proximity to the planar portions. A chemical reaction results in an alloying element alloying the planar portions. The induction heating coil is withdrawn from in between the planar portions and the parts are forced into contact with each other in a kinetic energy welding process resulting in the metal parts being welded together. The welded parts have improved strength in the area of the weld. The welding process can be used to increase the presence of alloying transition metals and to improve the flowability and weldability during the kinetic phase before dilution of enriched carbon by shear accelerated diffusion.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• B23K 13/06 - Welding by high-frequency current heating characterised by the shielding of the welding zone against influence of the surrounding atmosphere
• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding

Abstract

An apparatus and method of alloying a weld in an induction-kinetic welding of metal parts together includes heating substantially planar portions of two metal parts with an induction heating coil in between the planar portions. During at least a portion of the step of heating the planar portions, flowing a gas containing an alloying element in proximity to the planar portions. A chemical reaction results in an alloying element alloying the planar portions. The induction heating coil is withdrawn from in between the planar portions and the parts are forced into contact with each other in a kinetic energy welding process resulting in the metal parts being welded together. The welded parts have improved strength in the area of the weld. The welding process can be used to increase the presence of alloying transition metals and to improve the flowability and weldability during the kinetic phase before dilution of enriched carbon by shear accelerated diffusion.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding
• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• B23K 20/22 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating taking account of the properties of the materials to be welded
• B23K 20/24 - Preliminary treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved process and embodiments for girth welding of metal tubes and pipes and other shapes based on existing high speed, one-shot welding processes which have been modified to integrate a rapid heat treatment instantly after the weld is completed, while the weld is still hot and above specified transformation temperatures. The principle advantages are improved mechanical properties in the weld with a reduced cycle time to achieve them versus conventional separate post weld heat treatments such as tempering or quenching and tempering.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• B23K 13/02 - Seam welding
• F16L 13/02 - Welded joints
• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding

Abstract

A method for solid-state, one-shot, butt-welding of multiple coaxial metal pipe subassemblies that have a prescribed annular clearance to allow them to be welded separately yet simultaneously is described. The nested pipes or tubes making up of these subassemblies can thus be joined end to end to form pipelines or wells for oil, gas and geothermal and the like with specific desired advantages over conventional single-wall pipelines or wells casings. The advantages include an ability to monitor the condition of all or selected portions of the pressure envelope constituted by the pipeline or well casing and thereby identify damage with ample advance warning before failure and leakage or major spills occur.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 13/01 - Welding by high-frequency current heating by induction heating
• F16L 13/02 - Welded joints
• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding
• F16L 59/065 - Arrangements using an air layer or vacuum using vacuum
• B23K 101/06 - Tubes

Abstract

An apparatus for induction friction solid state welding comprising a body having a tubular work pieces receiving bore, a stationary chuck provided for securing a first tubular workpiece in the bore, a moving chuck provided for securing a second tubular workpiece in the bore, an induction heating coil movable between the facing surfaces of the tubular work pieces, an expandable cylinder for moving the movable chuck to and away from the stationary chuck, a torque transmission collar used to rotate the moving chuck so to friction weld the heated work pieces within the body and the induction coil moving means for displacing the coil between an operative and a stored position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 20/12 - Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating the heat being generated by frictionFriction welding
• B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work