CA2402180A1

CA2402180A1 - Welding workpiece positioner

Info

Publication number: CA2402180A1
Application number: CA 2402180
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gordon Wayne Gates
Original assignee: ARV DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Current assignee: ARV DEVELOPMENT CORP
Priority date: 2002-09-10
Filing date: 2002-09-10
Publication date: 2004-03-10

Abstract

Unscannable items received with this application (Request original documents in File Prep. Section on the 10th floor) A welding positioner capable of four degrees-of-freedom: pitch, roll, yaw and vertical displacement, for the purposes of welding and manipulating multiple work pieces and to reduce set-up and preparation time.

Description

4-AX Welding Positioner ARV
development Description:
The 4-AX Welding Positioner allows the user to position a piece of work using four degrees-of-freedom: pitch, roll, yaw and vertical displacement of the chuck. The current device also uses a two pedal system in conjunction with DC powered controllers to rotate the pipe in either direction at variable speeds during welding. In addition, by allowing the chuck to displace vertically through an 18" range, it maximizes the welder's comfort by positioning the pipe, or other work pieces, to the most ideal position for welding.
The innovation in the 4-AX, is the extra two degrees-of-freedom that the product possesses over most other similar products, i.e. yaw and vertical displacement. The vertical displacement feature allows the user of the product to customize the position of the work head/chuck to his/her height requirements. This is accomplished by a jack mechanism that lifts the entire upper section of the 4-AX.
The yaw aspect of the assembly allows the user to position several work pieces in a 360-degree circle around the 4-AX such that one work piece can be released and another one can be installed using only one person by simply yawing the positioner.
Once multiple work pieces are arranged, the speed at which a work piece can be changed also ensures that the user is spending more time welding and less time setting up. Another innovative aspect of the 4-AX allows the user to change from one work piece to another, at a different height and position. This is accomplished by applying a vertical displacement and yaw motion simultaneously, thus, saving the user even more valuable time.
The pitch and roll features are also integral in the use of the 4-AX Weld Positioner. The pitch feature allows the user, once the work piece is loaded on to the chuck, to move the work piece through 180-degrees. This allows for tack welding of flanges to pipes, or simply for welding in an upright angle. The roll feature allows the user to weld an entire circumference without stopping to rotate the work piece. In September 6, 2002 Page 2 of 11 4-AX Welding Positioner ARV
development addition, the use of both a direct current (DC) driver and two-foot pedals on the roll motion allows the user to control the rolling rate for a proper welding speed.
The foot pedals allow for hands-free manipulation of the work piece while welding.
The base of the 4-AX has mounting holes drilled out to allow for permanent or temporary attachment to a floor or trailer deck. This feature increases the 4-AX's stability throughout its 360-degree yaw rotation.
In addition, the control box, that actuates the pitch of the chuck and roll rate, is mounted on a swivel arm that can also rotate 360-degrees to accommodate the position of the welder.
September 6, 2002 Page 3 of 11 4-AX Welding Positioner ARV
development Summary of Features:
(Please refer to the enclosed Drawings 1 & 2 for Item Number identifications) 1 ) Combined Yaw and Vertical Displacement: - A simultaneous combination of yawing and vertical displacement is achieved when a torque is manually applied to the Outer Tube (Item 8), while the Vertical Hydraulic Jack (Item 50) is activated (see Figure A).

2) Yaw Motion: - When a torque is applied to the Outer Tube (Item 8), a yawing motion occurs. Two Bulkhead Separation Rings (Item 10) ensures that the Outer Tube (Item 8) remains concentric to the Inside Pipe Mount (Item 4) (see Figure B).

3) Vertical Displacement: - When the Vertical Hydraulic Jack (Item 50) is activated, it pushes on the Jack Shaft (Item 54) which then pushes on the Tube Cap (Item 12).
The Tube Cape (Item 12) is attached to the Outer Tube (Item 8). In turn, the Outer Tube (Item 8) is attached to all items undergoing displacement (see Figure C).

4) Swivel Control Box: - The Control Box (Item 66) can pivot 360-degrees in the Swivel Arm collar (Item 24) (see Figure C).

5) Mountings Feature: - The Base Plate (Item 2) has 4 holes drilled for mounting of the 4-AX to a sturdy structure or floor (see Figure D).

6) Pitch Motion: - A torque is applied to the 14-inch Ring Gear (Item 28), which is attached to the Gear Box (Item 26). The Gear Box (Item 26) rotates on the 4-inch Bearing Block (Item 48) to create a pitching motion. The pitching motion is activated by the Control Box (Item 66), which can swivel 360-degrees to accommodate position of the welder (see Figure E).
September 6, 2002 Page 4 of 11 4-AX Welding Positioner ARV
development 7) Hands-free Roll Motion: - Item 36 applies a torque to Item 34. Item 34 rotates Item 44. Item 44 is attached to Item 72 to produce the desired effect. Item 66 controls the rate of rotation. Item 68 controls the direction of rotation (see Figure F) September 6, 2002 Page 5 of 11

Claims

1. A welding workpiece positioner, comprising:
a base;
a support column extending vertically from the base; and a workpiece gripping head supported by the support column.

2. The welding workpiece positioner as defined in Claim 1, wherein the support column is telescopically extendible, thereby adjusting the working height of the workpiece gripping head.

3. The welding workpiece positioner as defined in Claim 1, wherein the workpiece gripping head is capable or orbital adjustment about the support column.

4. The welding workpiece positioner as defined in Claim 1, wherein the workpiece gripping head is capable of rotating a workpiece about an axis of the workpiece.

5. The welding workpiece positioner as defined in Claim 1, wherein the workpiece gripping head is capable of angular yaw tilt adjustment from side to side.

6. The welding workpiece positioner as defined in Claim 1, wherein the workpiece gripping head is capable of angular pitch tilt adjustment in a downward or upward orientation.