TANK FABRICATION SYSTEM

• US 3,734,387 A
• Filed: 05/18/1971
• Issued: 05/22/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred L. Sannipoli
• Original Assignee: Alfred L. Sannipoli
• Inventors: Sannipoli, Alfred L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Overholser, J. Spencer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Craig, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/144,532
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 29/484 113/12QA 228/6,44,48 219/62,6,59
• US Class Current: 228/6.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0533 external pipe alignment clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0282 for welding tube sections

Abstract

A system and method of fabricating tanks comprising a plurality of carriages mounted on tracks and supporting tank sections and a chain drive mechanism for forcing the tanks into contacting relationship. Also included is a hydraulic ram for applying further contacting pressure so that intimate contact is established between adjacent sections. If the sections are supplied with the flanges, flanges are forced within the flange receiving portions of adjacent sections. The carriages contain provision forcing the tank section to assume a more perfectly circular, cross-section and for rotating the entire assembly after it is structurally joined by a series of tack welds. The final seam weld is made with an automatic welder over the entire circumference of the joint between each adjacent section as the tank is rotated.

Claims

1. A tank fabrication system comprising, guide means for maintaining a plurality of approximately circular tank sections in approximate axial alignment, first means for forcing each of said sections to assume a substantially circular cross sectional configuration, second means for moving and holding said sections in contact, third means for securing each of said sections to the adjacent section, said guide means comprising track means for receiving supporting carriage means, supporting carriage means for supporting said sections and having said first means mounted thereon, said second means comprising stop means for limitiNg the movement of said carriage on said guide means, one of said stop means being engageable with mechanical means for moving said sections into contact, said mechanical means comprising an endless chain mounted below said carriage and said stop means and engaging said chain for moving said sections into contact. contact.