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Apparatus and method for automatically aligning a welding device for butt welding workpieces

  • US 5,045,668 A
  • Filed: 04/12/1990
  • Issued: 09/03/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automatically and continuously aligning a welding device along approximately the center of a continuous gap defined by confronting proximal edges of at least two workpieces to be joined, wherein relative motion between said welding device and said workpieces along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said gap permits joining of said confronting edges of said workpieces by said welding device by application of welding energy at a welding zone along said edges, said aligning apparatus comprising:

  • (a) an imaging system for determining the location of said gap center relative to a predetermined two dimensional coordinate system, wherein an image of a vision area spaced downstream of said welding zone along said longitudinal axis is produced, said vision area designed to span said gap and include said confronting edges of said workpieces;

    (b) means for receiving and transforming said image of said vision area into an output signal defining the location of said gap center relative to said welding device;

    (c) means for automatically adjusting the relative positions of said welding device and said center of said gap in response to said output signal such that said welding device and said center are continuously aligned at all times; and

    (d) means for effectively isolating said vision area from said welding zone, said isolating means including a jet of inert gas provided adjacent said welding zone to divert weld plume, smoke, spatter and other welding debris from said vision area.

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