Rotary Pipe Welding Table With Ground Tap for Seam Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe welding methods, particularly those involving manual guidance of welding machines around pipe circumferences, face challenges in achieving high-quality weld seams due to deformation and misalignment, making the process difficult and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A pipe welding device with a turntable driven by a motor, featuring a rotary tap for electrical connection and a forming gas/vacuum system, allows for easy attachment of the welding machine's ground terminal and improves weld seam quality by rotating the pipe, reducing manual effort and deformation issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual guidance of welding machine around pipe circumference is used, then operation flexibility is maintained, but weld seam quality deteriorates due to deformation and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation flexibilityVSAvoidweld seam quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the welding machine around the pipe, the pipe is rotated on a turntable while the welding machine remains stationary. This inversion of the moving component resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while achieving consistent weld seam quality through automated rotation and stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

A turntable is introduced as an intermediary device between the pipe and the welding machine. The turntable provides controlled rotation and stable positioning, enabling high-quality weld seams while keeping the welding machine stationary and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pipe is clamped in two positions rotated by 180° for circumferential welding, then weld seam continuity is achieved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld seam continuityVSAvoidclamping operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than rotating the pipe by 180° and re-clamping it in a different position, the turntable continuously rotates the pipe while the welding machine remains stationary. This eliminates the need for complex re-clamping operations while maintaining weld seam continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The turntable enables continuous rotation of the pipe during welding, eliminating interruptions caused by re-clamping operations. This continuous action ensures weld seam continuity while simplifying the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If ground connection is attached to pipe itself during rotation, then electrical connection is achieved, but operation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidoperation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A rotary tap is introduced as an intermediary device to provide electrical connection between the stationary ground connection and the rotating pipe. This allows reliable electrical connection without requiring the ground connection to move with the pipe, significantly simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Extent of automation

If stationary welding device is used with rotating pipe, then automation is improved, but weld seam cleanliness deteriorates due to pipe deformations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewelding automationVSAvoidweld seam cleanliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The turntable serves as a precision intermediary device that provides controlled rotation and stable positioning of the pipe. This enables automation while maintaining weld seam cleanliness by eliminating pipe deformations associated with manual handling and ensuring precise axial alignment during welding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device simplifies the welding process, enhances weld seam quality, and enables efficient welding of stainless steel pipes without additional forming gas or vacuum setup, reducing rework and improving consistency.

Implementation Method 1

the rotary tap comprises a contact area arranged on the shaft and rotating with the shaft, which interacts with a sliding contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSliding contact:

Implementation Method 2

The sliding contact is preferably spring-loaded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring loading: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3789159B1Pipe welding device

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 BERGADER PRIVATKASEREI GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a pipe welding device with a rotary table to which a pipe section to be welded can be coupled, and with a motor for driving the rotary table. The pipe welding device has a ground connection which is connected to the rotary table via a rotary tap.