Welding methods and welded joints for improving corrosion resistance of the joint between a plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members are described herein. An example method can include applying a first weld at a junction between the plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members using a first filler metal, and applying a second weld on at least a portion of a toe of the first weld using a second filler metal. The second weld can be applied using a fusion welding process (e.g., an arc welding process or a high energy beam welding process). Additionally, the secondary weld can alter a secondary phase of the first weld.

The present device is configured for mounting on and movement around the outside surface of a pipe to be processed, and comprises a clamping device and a flexible composite carriage consisting of at least two pivotally connected component parts capable of pivoting about a pin of a hinged connection lying parallel to the axis of the pipe to be processed, wherein each part comprises a group of at least two coaxial supporting rollers, the axis of which is situated at a distance from the hinged connection that is less than or equal to of the distance between the hinges of the component part and is parallel to the axis of the pipe to be processed. The component parts are connected in succession in such a way that each part bears on two groups of supporting rollers, one of which is mounted on the component part, and the other of which is mounted on an adjacent component part. One of the component parts of the carriage is mounted such as to rest on an additional group of supporting rollers. At least one component part is provided with a supporting and driving roller and with a driving mechanism having a source of torque, and at least one component part has at least one processing device.

Disclosed is an apparatus for arc welding, comprising: a torch body comprising a power supply line and a gas supply line; two or more metal segments movable relative to one another being sized and shaped to surround a seam between two elongated objects to be welded together, the two or more metal segments being in electrical communication with the power supply line; and a gas jacket attached to each of the metal segments.

Disclosed is an apparatus for arc welding, comprising: a torch body comprising a power supply line and a gas supply line; two or more metal segments movable relative to one another being sized and shaped to surround a seam between two elongated objects to be welded together, the two or more metal segments being in electrical communication with the power supply line; and a gas jacket attached to each of the metal segments.

An automated welding system for sealing high level radioactive waste containers in the field at the nuclear plant site. The system includes a programmable portable robotic welder comprising a multi-jointed articulating robotic arm. A welding head operable to form a weld is mounted to the arm. Operation of the robotic welder and ancillary components is controlled by a programmable controller which implements a welding plan. In one embodiment, a circumferentially-extending lid-to-shell hermetic seal weld may be formed by the robotic welder. The weld is completed in multiple welding passes through the weld joint between the lid and shell guided by an automated joint tracking sensor linked to the controller. The highly portable robotic welder is detachably mountable on the lid to perform the welding. An automated pivotable cable-conduit management apparatus keeps electrically conductive wiring and flow tubing out of the path of the rotating robotic arm during welding.

An automated welding system for sealing high level radioactive waste containers in the field at the nuclear plant site. The system includes a programmable portable robotic welder comprising a multi-jointed articulating robotic arm. A welding head operable to form a weld is mounted to the arm. Operation of the robotic welder and ancillary components is controlled by a programmable controller which implements a welding plan. In one embodiment, a circumferentially-extending lid-to-shell hermetic seal weld may be formed by the robotic welder. The weld is completed in multiple welding passes through the weld joint between the lid and shell guided by an automated joint tracking sensor linked to the controller. The highly portable robotic welder is detachably mountable on the lid to perform the welding. An automated pivotable cable-conduit management apparatus keeps electrically conductive wiring and flow tubing out of the path of the rotating robotic arm during welding.

Embodiments are directed to an orbital welding system, including customized orbital weld head fixtures, and computer-controlled programs for performing homogeneous orbital welds. In one scenario, an orbital welding system includes a controller, a shield gas supply system that supplies gases to an orbital welding tool, an electrical supply system that supplies an electrical current to the orbital welding tool, and the orbital welding tool, which includes a welding electrode that is configured to weld two or more items together using the supplied electrical current and the gases supplied by the gas supply system. The controller generates control signals that direct the orbital welding tool, the electrical supply system, and the gas supply system to homogeneously orbital weld the at least two items together, so that the at least two items are homogeneously welded together without using a filler material. Various other methods, systems, and apparatuses are also described.

A method for welding two or more conduits includes aligning end portions thereof in an abutting relationship to define a gap. The method includes performing a spatter free root weld along the gap to configure a root layer while the inner circumferential surface side is unobstructed. After the root weld is complete, an outward thrust is applied along the inner circumferential surfaces of the conduits. During the application of the outward thrust, a filler weld is performed along the gap to fill the gap and to facilitate shrinkage of the filler and root weld materials longitudinally and radially outward while preventing pressing out of the filler and root weld materials radially inward of the inner circumferential surface.

A heating system includes a power source connected to a heater to heat a workpiece via the heater and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the first temperature measurement signal, the first temperature measurement signal corresponding to a first temperature of the workpiece. The controller is to turn on the power source to activate the heater to heat the workpiece, receive the second temperature measurement signal in response to heating the workpiece, the second temperature measurement signal corresponding to a second temperature of the workpiece. The controller calculates a change in temperature of the workpiece based on the first and second temperatures, and determines a physical characteristic of the workpiece based on the change in temperature.

A heating system includes a power source connected to a heater to heat a workpiece via the heater and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the first temperature measurement signal, the first temperature measurement signal corresponding to a first temperature of the workpiece. The controller is to turn on the power source to activate the heater to heat the workpiece, receive the second temperature measurement signal in response to heating the workpiece, the second temperature measurement signal corresponding to a second temperature of the workpiece. The controller calculates a change in temperature of the workpiece based on the first and second temperatures, and determines a physical characteristic of the workpiece based on the change in temperature.