Title:
【発明の名称】管体内でレーザ溶接プローブをセンタリングする方法および装置
Document Type and Number:
Japanese Patent JP2001513031
Kind Code:
A
Abstract:
An apparatus for welding the interior surface of a tube includes a laser welding probe body configured for positioning within an interior surface of a tube. A centering mechanism relying upon fluid pressure is used to substantially center the laser welding probe body within an annular void defined between the laser welding probe body and the interior surface of the tube. In one embodiment, the centering mechanism is implemented with a set of seals. In another embodiment, the centering mechanism is implemented with a set of centering balls that respond to the fluid pressure and thereby operate to center the laser welding probe body within the annular void. The fluid pressure may be created with shielding gas used during the laser welding operation.
Inventors:
Findran Sean Joseph
Application Number:
JP53767598A
Publication Date:
August 28, 2001
Filing Date:
February 10, 1998
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
International Classes:
B23K26/00; B23K26/28; B23K26/34; F22B37/00; (IPC1-7): B23K26/00
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Minoru Nakamura (9 outside)