James L Grill

US Patent:

42227950, Sep 16, 1980

Filed:

Mar 9, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/018925

Inventors:

Harold B. Hoaglin - Sylacauga AL
James R. Grill - Birmingham AL
Jack H. Keller - Cullman AL

Assignee:

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

B23K 704
B23K 710

US Classification:

148 96

Abstract:

Apparatus for cutting and beveling pipe comprising a horizontally positioned and movable member, roller means to support and axially rotate a horizontal pipe parallel to the member, a photocell scanner mounted on the member and positioned to follow a profile template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, drive means, responsive to a signal from the photocell scanner, adapted to move the member horizontally in either axial direction as the photocell scanner follows the profile template, a cutting torch pivotally supported by a mounting on the member and positioned to cut through a pipe, rotating axially on the roller means, in a cutting path having the same profile as the template, a support on the member movable axially of a pipe on the roller means, a second photocell scanner mounted on the movable support and positioned to follow a bevel contour template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, an arm extending from the support and pivotally connected with the cutting torch, and drive means, responsive to a signal from the second photocell scanner, adapted to move the support and arm in either axial direction as the said photocell scanner follows the bevel contour template thereby orienting the cutting torch at an angle to cut a pipe wall with a bevel.

US Patent:

42193702, Aug 26, 1980

Filed:

Feb 21, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/013518

Inventors:

Harold B. Hoaglin - Sylacauga AL
James R. Grill - Birmingham AL
Jack H. Keller - Cullman AL

Assignee:

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

B23K 2600

US Classification:

148 96

Abstract:

Apparatus for cutting a pipe end for intersection with another surface comprising a horizontally positioned and movable boom, roller means to support and axially rotate a horizontal pipe parallel to the boom, a photocell scanner mounted on the boom and positioned to follow a template circumscribing a pipe on the roller means, drive means responsive to a signal from the photocell scanner, adapted to move the boom horizontally in either axial direction as the photocell scanner follows the template, and a cutting torch movably supported by a mounting on the boom and positioned to cut through a pipe, rotating axially on the roller means, in a cutting path having the same contour as the template. A method of cutting the end of a pipe for intersection with another surface, comprising placing the pipe on roller means to support and axially rotate it horizontally and parallel to a horizontally positioned and movable boom having a cutting torch movably supported by a mounting on the boom and a photocell scanner spaced from the torch, placing a template which is readable by the photocell scanner on and at least partially circumscribing the pipe, activating the roller means to rotate the pipe, and automatically moving the boom horizontally and axially responsive to the photocell scanner tracing the template and simultaneously cutting the pipe with the torch in a path which is controlled by the template.