United States Patent: 6013890

From: Subject: United States Patent: 6013890 Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:55:58 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C85F38.7C540EB0" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C85F38.7C540EB0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=6,013,890.PN.&OS=PN/6,013,890&RS=PN/6,013,890 United States Patent: 6013890

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United States Patent	6,013,890<= /B>
Hulsizer	January 11, 2000 =

Dual pass weld overlay method and apparatus =

Abstract

A method is disclosed for applying a weld overlay to a tube. Using a = first=20 weld head, a bead of overlay material is applied onto a tube by melting = the=20 overlay material. In the process of applying the weld bead to the tube, = a heat=20 affected zone is created within the tube. Thereafter, a second weld head = is=20 employed to apply sufficient heat to the exterior of the tube to raise = the=20 temperature within the heat-affected zone to a temperature higher than = its=20 tempering temperature but lower than its Ae1 temperature. In this manner = the=20 heat affected zone is eliminated without creating a new heat affected = zone in=20 the process. In the disclosed embodiment, the tube is rotated with = respect to=20 the weld heads, while the weld heads move along the longitudinal axis of = the=20 tube. According to the disclosed embodiment, the first weld head employs = a=20 gas-metal arc welding process, and the second weld head employs a = gas-tungsten=20 arc welding process.

Inventors:	Hulsizer; Philip N. (Atlanta, = GA)
Assignee:	Welding Services, Inc. = (Norcross, GA)=20
Appl. No.:	08/954,555
Filed:	October 20, = 1997

Current U.S. = Class: 219/76.14 ; = 219/125.11

Current International = Class:=20 B23K = 9/04 (20060101); B23K=20 009/04 ()

Field of Search: = 219/76.14,125.11,137PS,137R,74,75,76.12,73.2,76.15=20

References Cited [Referenced=20 By]

U.S. Patent Documents


2299747	October 1942	Harter
2427350	September 1947	Carpenter et al.
2756311	July 1956	Persson et al.
2868954	January 1959	Skinner et al.
3139511	June 1964	Kudelko
3549857	December 1970	Needham et al.
4948936	August 1990	Landry

Foreign Patent Documents


55-73479	Jun., 1980	JP
55-84276	Jun., 1980	JP
59-110474	Jun., 1984	JP

Primary Examiner: = Shaw; Clifford=20 C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones & Askew, LLP

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A process for applying a weld = overlay to a=20 tube, comprising the steps of:

using a first weld head, applying = a bead=20 of overlay material onto said tube by melting said overlay material, = said step=20 of applying a bead of overlay material creating a heat-affected zone = within said=20 tube; and

using a second weld head, applying sufficient heat to = said=20 overlaid tube to heat the metal within said heat-affected zone to a = temperature=20 higher than its tempering temperature but lower than its Ae1 = temperature.=20

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said process is a continuous = process=20 such that said bead of overlay material is being applied onto said tube = at a=20 first location simultaneously with said second weld head applying heat = at a=20 second location on said tube.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein = said=20 first weld head comprises a gas metal arc weld head.

4. The = process of=20 claim 1, wherein said second weld head is performed without adding any=20 additional overlay material onto said tube.

5. The process of = claim 1,=20 wherein said second weld head comprises a gas tungsten arc weld head. =

6.=20 The process of claim 1, wherein said step of applying a bead of overlay = material=20 onto a tube comprises the steps of:

holding a first weld head in = a=20 substantially fixed position with respect to said tube;

rotating = said=20 tube about a longitudinal axis to bring successive portions of the outer = circumference of said tube beneath said first weld head such that said = bead of=20 overlay material is applied onto said successive portions of said outer=20 circumference of said tube; and

effecting relative longitudinal = movement=20 between said first weld head and said tube to apply said bead along the = length=20 of said tube.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein said bead of = overlay=20 material is applied to said tube at a location on said tube which is at=20 approximately the vertical midpoint of said tube and on a side of said = tube=20 which is rotating upward beneath said weld head.

8. The process = of claim=20 6, wherein said step of re-heating said portion of said bead which has=20 solidified comprises the step of holding a second weld head in a = substantially=20 fixed position with respect to said tube such that said step of rotating = said=20 tube about said longitudinal axis of said tube brings successive = portions of the=20 outer circumference of said tube beneath said second weld head. =

9. The=20 process of claim 1,

wherein said step of applying said bead of = overlay=20 material onto said tube comprises the step of controlling said first = weld head=20 to optimize fusion of said weld overlay to said tube without regard to = the=20 surface characteristics of the exterior surface of said weld overlay, = and=20

wherein said step of applying sufficient heat to said overlaid = tube to=20 heat the metal within said heat-affected zone comprises the step of = controlling=20 said second weld head to melt the outer portion of said bead without = increasing=20 dilution of the overlay material or increasing dilution of the base = metal of the=20 tube.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of applying=20 sufficient heat to said overlaid tube to heat the metal within said=20 heat-affected zone to a temperature higher than its tempering = temperature but=20 lower than its Ae1 temperature comprises the step of heating the metal = within=20 said heat-affected zone to a temperature of between 1150.degree. F. and=20 1333.degree. F.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of = applying sufficient heat to said overlaid tube to heat the metal within = said=20 heat-affected zone to a temperature higher than its tempering = temperature but=20 lower than its Ae1 temperature further comprises applying sufficient = heat to=20 said bead of overlay material to re-melt said bead of overlay material.=20

12. The process of claim 1, wherein said second weld head is = operated at=20 a current of 540-600 amps and a voltage of 10-16 volts.

13. The = process=20 of claim 1, wherein said tube comprises interior and exterior surfaces, = and=20 wherein said step of applying sufficient heat to said overlaid tube to = heat the=20 metal within said heat-affected zone to a temperature higher than its = tempering=20 temperature but lower than its Ae1 temperature comprises the step of = heating the=20 exterior surface of said overlaid tube while cooling the interior = surface of=20 said overlaid tube to maintain the heat-affected zone at a temperature = lower=20 than its Ae1 temperature.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein = said step=20 of cooling the interior surface of said overlaid tube comprises the step = of=20 flowing a liquid coolant over the interior surface of said overlaid = tube.=20

15. The process of claim 14, wherein said liquid coolant = comprises=20 water.

16. The process of claim 14, wherein said step of cooling = the=20 interior surface of said overlaid tube to maintain the heat-affected = zone at a=20 temperature lower than its Ae1 temperature comprises the step of = controlling the=20 temperature and flow rate of said liquid coolant flowing over the = interior=20 surface of said overlaid tube so as to maintain the heat-affected zone = at a=20 temperature lower than its Ae1 temperature.

=20 Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a = method and=20 apparatus for overlaying metal tubing. More specifically, the invention = relates=20 to a method and apparatus which employs two separate welding processes = in a=20 single pass to overlay conventional tube stock.

BACKGROUND OF = THE=20 INVENTION

When selecting metal tubing for a particular = application, the=20 demands of the application may require physical characteristics which = cannot be=20 met by a single composition. Some alloys, for example, may provide = suitable=20 characteristics in terms of mechanical properties but lack the necessary = resistance to corrosion, abrasion, or both. Other alloys may provide = suitable=20 performance in resisting corrosion and abrasion but lack the requisite=20 structural characteristics.

In such an instance, the solution is = normally found in overlaying a tubing having the requisite structural=20 characteristics with an alloy having the desired resistance to corrosion = and=20 abrasion. Such composite tubing is typically manufactured in either of = two ways:=20 by co-extruding the two compositions during the manufacturing process or = by=20 applying a weld overlay to a pre-existing metal tube. The present = invention is=20 concerned with the latter approach.

An optimal weld overlay has = several=20 characteristics. First, the weld penetration of the tube stock is = carefully=20 controlled to ensure the optimum fusion between the weld overlay and the = tube=20 stock. Second, the exterior surface of the weld overlay will be smooth. = Third,=20 the thickness of the weld overlay and the resulting dimensions of the = overlayed=20 tube can be closely controlled. Unfortunately, using conventional weld = overlay=20 techniques, these characteristics tend to be mutually exclusive, and the = weld=20 overlay is at best a compromise. If the voltage and current of the weld = head are=20 controlled to provide the smoothest possible exterior surface, then = penetration=20 of the tube stock tends to be excessive and uneven. Stresses resulting = from=20 bending of the tube or from thermal cycling can cause the weld overlay = to=20 separate from the underlying tube stock. On the other hand, if the = voltage and=20 current of the weld head are controlled to optimize penetration, then = the=20 exterior surface of the weld overlay tends to be rough and uneven. A = rough,=20 uneven exterior surface of a weld overlay suffers numerous = disadvantages. It can=20 make the tube more difficult to bend, which can result in an uneven = distribution=20 of stresses during bending and thermal cycling. It can also affect the = thickness=20 of the weld overlay and the resulting dimensions of the overlayed tube. = When the=20 tubes are used to fabricate a tube panel, adjacent tubes with uneven = surfaces=20 can create undesirable gaps between the tubes.

In addition, = conventional=20 weld overlay processes create what is known as a heat-affected zone, = that is, a=20 zone within the pipe which is created by the metal of the pipe being = heated to a=20 temperature higher than its Ae1 temperature but less than its melting=20 temperature. The base metal within the heat affected zone undergoes = phase,=20 microstructure, and grain growth changes which can cause the pipe to be = brittle,=20 such that the composite pipe is difficult to bend without cracking. = Furthermore,=20 this transformation results in residual stresses being formed within the = pipe.=20

Thus, there is a need for a weld overlay process and article of=20 manufacture which provides optimum penetration of the underlying tube = stock and=20 a smooth, even exterior surface.

There is a further need for a = weld=20 overlay process and article of manufacture which can provide optimum = penetration=20 of the underlying tube stock and a smooth, even exterior surface and = also=20 control over the thickness of the overlay and the resulting dimensions = of the=20 overlayed tube.

There is still a further need for a weld overlay = process=20 and article of manufacture which can provide optimum penetration of the=20 underlying tube stock and a smooth, even exterior surface and also = provide=20 uniform residual stresses within the overlayed tube.

There is = yet=20 another need for an overlayed tube which exhibits improved metallurgical = characteristics of the base metal within the HAZ

SUMMARY OF THE=20 INVENTION

Stated generally, the present invention comprises a = process=20 for applying a weld overlay to a tube. Using a first welding process, a = bead of=20 overlay material is applied onto a tube by melting and transferring the = overlay=20 material. In a disclosed embodiment this heating is accomplished by a=20 metal-inert gas welding process, more specifically a pulse spray = transfer. When=20 a portion of the bead solidifies, that portion is re-heated using a = second=20 welding process. In a disclosed embodiment this re-heating is = accomplished by a=20 tungsten-inert gas welding process. In the disclosed embodiment, the = tube is=20 rotated with respect to the weld heads, while the weld heads move along = the=20 longitudinal axis of the tube. According to the disclosed embodiment, = the first=20 weld head employs a gas-metal arc welding process, and the second weld = head=20 employs a gas-tungsten arc welding process.

According to one = aspect of=20 the process, the second weld head is controlled to apply an amount of = heat to=20 the weld which will elevate the temperature within the heat affected = zone to a=20 level sufficient to temper the metal within the heat-affected zone, = without=20 raising the temperature in the adjacent region to a temperature higher = than its=20 Ae1 temperature. This process step eliminates the heat affected zone = without=20 creating a new heat affected zone, thereby improving the metallurgy of = the base=20 metal within the heat affected zone

In a second aspect the = present=20 invention comprises an apparatus for applying a weld overlay to a metal = tube. A=20 frame supports tube for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A movable = support=20 adjustably supports first and second weld heads and is configured to = move the=20 weld heads along the longitudinal axis of the tube. The weld heads are=20 adjustably supported on the movable support in predetermined relation to = the=20 tube. A weld overlay material feeder is operatively associated with the = first=20 weld head and, in conjunction with the first weld head, applies a weld = overlay=20 to an exterior surface of the tube.

Thus it is an object of the = present=20 invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for applying a = weld=20 overlay onto a tube.

It is another object of the present = invention to=20 provide an improved method and apparatus for applying a weld overlay = onto a tube=20 wherein the procedure both optimizes the penetration of the tube = material and=20 provides a smooth, even exterior surface.

Still another object = of the=20 present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for = applying a=20 weld overlay onto a tube wherein the procedure both optimizes the = penetration of=20 the tube material and provides a smooth, even exterior surface while = also=20 providing control over the thickness of the overlay and the resulting = dimensions=20 of the overlayed tube.

It is yet another object of the present = invention=20 to provide a weld overlay process and article of manufacture which can = provide=20 optimum penetration of the underlying tube stock and a smooth, even = exterior=20 surface and also provide uniform residual stresses within the overlayed = tube.=20

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process = and=20 apparatus which improves the metallurgy of the composite pipe. =

Still=20 another object of the present invention is to provide a process and = apparatus=20 which eliminates the heat affected zone within the pipe.

Other = objects,=20 features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent = upon=20 reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the = drawings=20 and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS =

FIG.=20 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of applying a weld metal = overlay=20 onto a metal tube, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is = a=20 perspective view of an apparatus for performing the method of FIG. 1.=20

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of a tube support of the apparatus = of FIG.=20 2 with the support shown in its normal, closed position; FIG. 3B is an = elevation=20 view of the tube support of FIG. 3A showing the support in its open = position for=20 accepting a metal tube therewithin.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view = of a pipe=20 with a weld overlay as seen in longitudinal cross-section. =

DETAILED=20 DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in more = detail to=20 the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout = the=20 several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a method of applying to a metal tube = stock 10=20 a weld metal overlay 12. Typical examples of suitable material for the = tube=20 stock 10 would include carbon or low alloy steel. Examples of suitable = weld=20 overlay material include alloy 309 and alloy 625. However, it will be=20 appreciated that the method and apparatus disclosed hereinbelow are = equally=20 suitable for other tube stock materials and other weld overlay materials = depending upon the characteristics desired of the finished product and = subject=20 to the limitations of compatibility to the tube stock material and the = weld=20 overlay material.

The weld overlay is applied at a first = location 14 by=20 a gas metal arc welding ("GMAW") torch or weld head, also known as a = metal inert=20 gas ("MIG") torch. A wire feeder 18 is associated with the MIG torch 16 = to feed=20 a metal overlay material to the weld location 14. In the disclosed = embodiment,=20 the MIG torch 16 is of conventional design and is the model A2521-3072T4 = manufactured by Bernard. The associated wire feed 18 is also of = conventional=20 design and, in the disclosed embodiment, is the model 554D, manufactured = by=20 Miller.

The MIG torch 16 in the disclosed embodiment is = longitudinally=20 advanced past the weld head in the direction indicated by the arrow 20, = while=20 the tube stock 10 is simultaneously rotated past the torch in the = direction=20 indicated by the arrow 22. When viewed from the right end of the tube = stock 10=20 as shown in FIG. 1, such that the tube stock rotates in a clockwise = direction,=20 the MIG torch 16 applies the weld overlay at a location corresponding to = approximately the nine o'clock position on the outer circumference of = the tube=20 stock. This location is advantageous because applying the weld metal = overlay=20 material to the tube stock in a vertical position minimizes dilution of = the base=20 metal and weld wire. The MIG weld head 16 oscillates in a direction = parallel to=20 the longitudinal axis of the tube stock 10 (in the same direction = previously=20 indicated by the arrow 20) to work the weld bead further.

A gas = tungsten=20 arc welding ("GTAW") torch, also known as a tungsten inert gas ("TIG") = torch or=20 weld head 26, is disposed to treat the weld metal overlay 12 at a point = which is=20 spaced apart from the MIG torch 16 along the longitudinal access of the = tube=20 stock 10. In the disclosed embodiment, the TIG torch 26 is of = conventional=20 design and is the model WP17 manufactured by Weld Craft. Again as viewed = from=20 the right end of the tube stock 10 as shown in FIG. 1, with the tube = stock=20 rotating in a clockwise direction, the TIG torch 26 heats the weld metal = overlay=20 12 at a location substantially corresponding to the twelve o'clock = position on=20 the circumference of the tube stock 10. No wire feed is associated with = the TIG=20 torch 26, and no additional weld metal overlay material is applied to = the=20 circumference of the tube stock 10 at the location 28 which is heated by = the TIG=20 weld head 26.

The current and voltage of the MIG weld head 16 = are=20 controlled to optimize fusion between the weld overlay 12 and the tube = stock 10.=20 The resulting weld overlay will tend to have a rough, uneven surface. = The=20 current and voltage of the TIG weld head 26 are then controlled to melt = or to=20 "wash" and to re-shape the outer portion of the weld bead. The = re-heating=20 process achieved by the TIG weld head 26 advantageously does not re-melt = the=20 entire weld bead. Instead, the weld bead is heated to a temperature = sufficient=20 to melt only a portion of the weld bead but not sufficient to increase = dilution=20 of the weld metal or to increase penetration into the base metal. =

The=20 use of two separate weld heads 16, 26 with weld metal overlay material = being=20 applied only in conjunction with the first weld head 16 provides the = following=20 advantages. The voltage, amperage, and wire feed rate of the MIG weld = head 16=20 can be controlled to optimize penetration of the weld bead without = regard to the=20 effect on the outer circumference of the bead. In contrast, the voltage = and=20 amperage of the TIG weld head can be controlled to provide fine = contouring to=20 the circumference of the weld overlay material 12. In addition, the = second=20 heating process accomplished by the TIG weld head 26 provides for = uniform=20 residual stresses in the weld bead and lowers the hardness of the = heat-affected=20 zone by as much as 8-10 points on the Rockwell "C" scale.

To = control the=20 temperature of the tube stock and to control the rate of cooling of the = weld=20 overlay metal, water is flowed through the tube stock during the welding = process, as indicated generally by the arrow 30. The volume and flow = rate of the=20 water are sufficient to maintain this tube stock at an interior = temperature of=20 80-100.degree. F.

FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus 100 for = carrying out=20 the method illustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus 100 includes an = elongated frame=20 102 having side walls 104 and 106. One end of the tube stock 10 is = gripped in a=20 chuck 110 which is rotationally driven by an electric motor or other = suitable=20 means 111. Rotary unions 112 cap each end of the tube stock 10, and = hoses 114=20 coupled to the rotary unions 112 introduce a coolant such as water into = one end=20 of the tube stock 10 and withdraw it from the other. A rotary ground 116 = grounds=20 the tube stock 10.

The frame 102 further comprises upper rails = 120=20 disposed along the upper edge of each of the side walls 104, 106. A = wheeled=20 platform 122 rolls along the rails 120. Gears (not shown) operatively = associated=20 with the platform 122 and driven by an electric motor or other suitable = means=20 engage a gear rack 124 formed along the lower surface of each of the = upper rails=20 120 to move the platform 122 along the length of the frame 102. =

The=20 platform 122 includes a control panel 128 by which the voltage, current, = and=20 speed of oscillation of the two weld heads 16, 26, the wire feed speed = of the=20 wire feeder 18, and the speed of movement of the platform 122 are set.=20

When mounted to the frame 102 as thus described, the tube stock = 10=20 extends over the platform 122. The MIG weld head 16, wire feed 18, and = TIG weld=20 head 26 are adjustably mounted to the platform 122 by a suitable = mounting means=20 130 so that they can be properly oriented with respect to the tube stock = 10.=20 Affixed to the mounting means 130 is a guide 132 in the form of a short = length=20 of aluminum structural angle disposed in an inverted "V" position. The = guide 132=20 rides on top of the tube stock 10 to maintain the proper relationship = between=20 the tube stock and the mounting means 130. The platform 122 moves along = the=20 frame 102 to effect relative longitudinal movement between the weld = heads 16, 26=20 and the tube stock 10. Simultaneously the tube stock 10 rotates to = effect=20 relative rotational movement between the tube stock and the weld heads = 16, 26.=20 The speed at which the platform 122 moves along the rails 120 of the = frame 102=20 is controlled with respect to the speed at which the tube 10 is rotated = so that=20 the weld heads 16, 26 have advanced by a distance corresponding to the = width of=20 the weld bead 12 for each rotation of the tube.

To support the = weight of=20 the tube stock 10 along its length, a plurality of supports 140 are = provided. As=20 can be seen in FIG. 3, each support 140 includes an upright stanchion = 142. A=20 frame 144 is mounted to the stanchion 142 for movement toward and away = from the=20 stanchion in the direction indicated by the arrow 145. In the disclosed=20 embodiment, movement of the frame 144 toward and away from the stanchion = 142 is=20 affected by a pair of threaded rods 146, 147, though other suitable = mechanisms=20 may be used. The support further includes upper and lower wheels 148, = 149=20 rotatably mounted to the stanchion 142 and upper and lower wheels 150, = 151=20 rotatably mounted to the frame 144.

As can be seen in FIG. 3B, = the upper=20 threaded rod 146 is disengageable from the frame 144 and pivotably opens = as=20 indicated by the arrow 154 to permit the support 140 to be positioned = around the=20 tube stock 10. The frame 144 is then closed by turning the threaded rods = 146,=20 147 to bring the upper and lower wheels 148-151 into contact with the = outer=20 circumference of the tube stock 10. The spacing between the frame 144 = and the=20 stanchion 142 is adjusted to bring all four wheels 148-151 into contact = with the=20 circumference of the tube stock. As the tube stock 10 is rotatably = driven, the=20 wheels 148-151 rotate freely to permit the tube stock to rotate within = the=20 support 140.

At the start of the weld overlay process, the = platform 122=20 is located at the far right end of the frame 102 as seen in FIG. 2. The = three=20 supports 140 are spaced along the length of the tube stock 10 to the = left of the=20 platform, as seen in FIG. 2, to support the weight of the tube stock. =

As=20 the platform 122 moves along the frame 102 toward the left, the = rightmost=20 support 140 is removed and repositioned to the right of the platform. As = the=20 platform 122 moves further toward the left, the next support 140 is = moved out of=20 the way and repositioned to the right of the platform. Similarly, as the = platform 122 continues to move, the last support 140 is repositioned to = a=20 location on the right side of the platform as seen in FIG. 2. =

There may=20 be occasions when it would be desirable to apply a second weld metal = overlay on=20 top of the first weld metal overlay 12. As an example, whenever a weld = overlay=20 is applied directly onto the exterior surface of a tube, some dilution = of the=20 weld metal occurs. Application of a second weld overlay provides an = outer layer=20 which is virtually pure weld metal. When applying two weld overlays, it = may be=20 desirable to use a less-expensive metal such as alloy 304 for the bottom = layer=20 and a weld metal having more of the desired chemistry and physical = properties=20 for the top layer, such as alloy 309. In such a case, the TIG weld head = 26 would=20 be moved further away from the MIG weld head 16, and a second MIG weld = head with=20 associated wire feed would be positioned between the first MIG weld head = 16 and=20 the TIG weld head 26. A first weld metal overlay 12 would be applied = onto the=20 tube stock 10 as previously described. At a point sufficiently spaced = apart from=20 the first MIG weld head 16 that the first weld metal overlay 12 has = solidified,=20 a second weld metal overlay is applied by the second MIG weld head and=20 associated wire feed. Advantageously the second MIG weld head is also = positioned=20 at approximately the 9 o'clock position with respect to the tube stock = 10. At a=20 point sufficiently spaced apart from the second MIG weld head that the = second=20 weld metal overlay has solified, the TIG weld head 26 heats the second = weld=20 metal overlay to provide a smooth, contoured outer surface.

In = the=20 disclosed embodiment the MIG weld head 16 and the TIG weld head 26 are = spaced=20 apart by five inches along the longitudinal axis of the tube stock 10. = The=20 longitudinal spacing of five inches between the MIG and TIG weld heads = 16, 26 in=20 the disclosed embodiment is selected because it is not physically = possible to=20 position the particular weld heads of the disclosed embodiment any = closer=20 together. However, it will be appreciated that, depending upon various = factors,=20 a portion of the weld bead 12 may have solidified before the platform = 122 has=20 moved five inches. Thus in the case of weld heads having different=20 configurations, it is possible that the two weld heads can be positioned = closer=20 together than five inches and still achieve the desired result. =

While=20 the embodiment disclosed above employs a platform 122 which moves along = the=20 frame 102 to effect relative longitudinal movement between the weld = heads 16,26=20 and the tube stock 10, it will be appreciated that relative longitudinal = movement between the weld heads and the tube stock can also be achieved = by=20 holding the weld heads steady and moving the tube longitudinally with = respect to=20 the weld heads. Thus a means for effecting relative longitudinal = movement=20 between the weld heads and the tube could comprise either means for = moving the=20 weld heads while the tube remains longitudinally fixed, or means for = moving the=20 tube longitudinally with the weld heads remaining fixed.

FIG. 4 = is a=20 schematic diagram of a cross-section of a pipe 200 after the first = welding pass.=20 The overlaid pipe 200 consists primarily of three zones: the weld 201, = the=20 heat-affected zone 202, and the unaffected base metal 203. The boundary = between=20 the weld 201 and the heat-affected zone 202 is known as the fusion = boundary 204.=20

As the distance from the fusion boundary 204 increases, the peak = temperature to which the base metal is exposed during the first weld = pass=20 decreases. The region immediately adjacent the fusion boundary 204 is = heated to=20 a temperature sufficient to partially melt the base metal. Beneath this=20 partially melted zone is the heat affected zone (HAZ) 202, which is that = portion=20 of the metal which undergoes phase, microstructure, and grain growth = changes as=20 a result of being heated to a temperature higher than its Ae1 = temperature but=20 less than its melting temperature. In the case of SA-210 steel, the Ae1=20 temperature is 1333.degree. F., and the melting temperature is = approximately=20 2800.degree. F. The size and location of the HAZ is largely dependent = upon the=20 heat input and its location or distance from the fusion boundary.=20

Because of the microstructural changes of the base metal within = the HAZ=20 202, the metal in the HAZ takes on undesirable metallurgical = characteristics. In=20 particular, partial transformation from ferrite and austenite upon = heating and=20 bainite and martensite upon cooling makes the metal in the HAZ brittle, = such=20 that the composite pipe is difficult to bend without cracking. = Furthermore, this=20 transformation results in residual stress formation. It would be = desirable to=20 improve the metallurgical characteristics of the base metal within the = HAZ 202.=20

One way of removing residual stresses is to apply sufficient = heat to the=20 exterior of the pipe 200 such that the temperature within the HAZ 202 = results in=20 tempering of the microstructure. Tempering of the HAZ 202 imparts = ductility,=20 refines grain size, and reduces residual stresses caused by the first = welding=20 process.

A problem with this approach, however, is that if the = base=20 metal within the HAZ 202 is heated to too high a temperature, then the = adjacent,=20 previously unaffected base metal 203 will be heated to a temperature = higher than=20 its Ae1 and thus create a new HAZ. The HAZ has thus been relocated, not=20 eliminated.

According to the present invention, the second weld = pass=20 with the GTAW weld head is controlled to apply sufficient heat to the = exterior=20 surface of the weld 201 to cause the temperature within the HAZ 202 to = rise to a=20 temperature of between 1000.degree. F. and 1200.degree. F. Upon being = heated to=20 a temperature of approximately 1150.degree. F., tempering of the metal = within=20 the HAZ occurs. However, by limiting the temperature within the HAZ 202 = to a=20 temperature less than the Ae1 temperature, the unaffected base metal 203 = adjacent to the HAZ 202 is not heated to a temperature sufficient to = cause=20 precipitation. Thus the HAZ 202 is eliminated without creating a new HAZ = in the=20 previously unaffected base metal 203.

Obviously, the Ae1 and = tempering=20 temperatures are dependent upon the metal comprising the pipe stock. = However,=20 for a steel pipe, the HAZ 202 is heated to a temperature of between = 1150.degree.=20 F. and 1333.degree. F., a range of temperatures which will temper the = HAZ=20 without creating a new HAZ in the process.

A by-product of the = second=20 weld pass with the GTAW weld head is that the exterior surface of the = weld 201=20 is heated to a temperature higher than its melting point. Consequently = the=20 second weld pass provides the pipe 200 with a smooth, even exterior = surface.=20

Determining the amount of heat to be applied by the GTAW weld = head is a=20 straightforward matter of heat transfer principles, easily within the = level of=20 ordinary skill in the art. There are many variables for which allowance = must be=20 made, including the distance of the HAZ from the exterior surface of the = pipe,=20 the metal comprising the pipe, the metal comprising the weld overlay, = the=20 thickness of the pipe, the ambient temperature, the temperature and flow = rate of=20 the coolant being pumped through the pipe during the welding processes, = and=20 other factors. Once the amount of heat to be transferred to the exterior = surface=20 of the weld is determined, then other variables relating to the GTAW = weld head=20 must be controlled to deliver that amount of heat. Since the speed of = the weld=20 head is not variable (it necessarily is the same as the speed of the = GMAW weld=20 head, since they are mounted in fixed relation), the voltage and the = current=20 must be controlled to deliver the desired amount of heat to the exterior = surface=20 of the pipe 201.

Because there are so many variables which must = be taken=20 into account, a precise mathmatical formulation for the amount of heat = which=20 must be applied by the GTAW weld process is not practical. The following = is thus=20 for purposes of example only:

EXAMPLE

Tube stock 10 = three inches=20 in diameter is comprised of SA-210 steel. The tube stock 10 is rotated = at four=20 to five rotations per minute. Coolant having a temperature of = 70-100.degree. F.=20 flows through the tube stock at a rate of 10-30 gallons per minute. =

To=20 overlay Alloy 309 stainless steel 0.075 inches thick onto the outer = surface of=20 the tube stock 10, the GMAW weld torch 16 operates at a current of = 170-220 amps=20 and a voltage of 19-27 volts. The spacing between the first weld head 16 = and the=20 second weld head 26 is sufficient to permit the bead applied at any = given point=20 by the first weld head to solidify before the second weld head reaches = that=20 point. The second weld head, the GTAW weld torch 26, is controlled to = apply=20 sufficient heat to the exterior surface of the overlayed tube stock to = bring the=20 temperature of the HAZ 202 to a temperature higher than its tempering=20 temperature but lower than its Ae1 temperature. This can be accomplished = by=20 operating the GTAW weld torch 26 at a current of 540-600 amps and a = voltage of=20 10-16 volts.

Finally, it will be understood that the preferred=20 embodiment has been disclosed by way of example, and that other = modifications=20 may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope = and=20 spirit of the appended claims.

* * * * *

=20

=20

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Current U.S. = Class:	219/76.14 ; = 219/125.11
Current International = Class:=20	B23K = 9/04 (20060101); B23K=20 009/04 ()
Field of Search: =	219/76.14,125.11,137PS,137R,74,75,76.12,73.2,76.15=20