A shaft element of a turbomachine, in particular of a combined steam turbine, having at least two shaft subsegments integrally joined to each other by means of a weld, wherein different chemical and mechanical properties are inherent to the shaft subsegments, wherein the weld has a ratio of welding layer height to weld width of 1:14 to 1:2. A method produces a shaft element composed of two different materials having at least two shaft subsegments integrally joined to each other by means of a weld.

A pipe assembly station for performing operations on a field joint during pipe assembly has an active rail extending around an opening through which the pipe can pass. Tool carriages are arranged to traverse along the active rail and around a periphery of the pipe. The station also comprises a standby position, distanced from the active rail and a switch arranged to transfer the tool carriage from the active rail to the standby position. By providing such a combination of a rail and a standby position, a tool carriage can be brought into position on the active rail to perform a pipe joining operation and can be subsequently set back to the standby position, where it is out of the way of operations taking place on the pipe. Such a switching arrangement allows for more effective use of the limited space around the joint.

A field system for welding two pipes includes a first pipe engagement structure, a second pipe engagement structure, one or more weld torches, a motor and one or more processors. The one or more weld torches are configured to be positioned within the pipes to create an internal weld at an interface region between the pipes. The motor is operatively associated with the one or more weld torches to rotate the one or more weld torch along the interface region between the pipes. The one or more processors control the motor and the one or more weld torches. The one or more processors operate the motor and the one or more weld torches to generate a complete circumferential weld along the interface region by rotating the one or more weld torches along the interface region in a single rotational direction until the complete circumferential weld is completed.

Apparatus, systems, processes, control systems, means and methods for near-weld gas purging and welding. A focused circumferential near-weld purge gas delivery system for pipeline welding. A near-weld purge rig which has a near-weld purge gas channel and which achieves a low oxygen concentration proximate to a pipe gap for welding. The gas used for purging is also directed against an interior surface of the pipe to be welded. The directed gas cools the pipe to a desired temperature.

A system for welding two pipes includes a first pipe clamp, a second pipe clamp, a weld torch, an inspection detector, a motor, one or more processors, and a grinder. The weld torch is configured to create a weld joint between the pipes at an interface region between the pipes. The inspection detector is configured to emit an inspection beam of radiation. The motor is operatively associated with the inspection detector to direct the inspection beam of radiation along the weld joint between the pipes. The one or more processors are operatively associated with the inspection detector to determine a profile of the weld joint between the pipes. The grinder is configured to grind at least a portion of the weld joint between the pipes based on the profile of the weld joint between the pipes.

A system and method provide gasless, mechanized, field welding of an exterior of a tubular structure such as a pipeline, without the need for an enclosure. An embodiment consolidates some of the welding equipment on a skid for ease of transport to and from a remote worksite. The gasless weld may be achieved despite the presence of wind, by precisely controlling an arc voltage as disclosed. The footprint and weight of the system may be minimized, along with the associated labor, expense, and environmental impact otherwise incurred by conventional welding techniques using enclosures.

The invention is an apparatus and method for Orbital welding of pipes or pipe segments together to form a pipeline, i.e., Orbital welding. A scanner welding unit, a control unit and a welding unit are combined to travel along and above a seam, which is formed between two interfacing base/cylindrical surfaces of every two pipe or pipe segments, scan the pipes/pipe segments relative positioning, alignment and levelling, and their surface geometry and topography and overlay a welding material starting from the root layer at the bottom of the seam and up to its edge and sealing it with a capping layer. The welding unit lowers a welding tip into the seam that may rotate on its axis at different angels relative to the surface during welding. The scanner unit may alert on mismatches on the relative position of the pipes/pipe segments before or after welding and in some cases enable repositioning for a more hermetically sealed weld.

An orbital welding device for forming a circumferential weld bead to engage adjoining segments of pipe is provided. The device features an annular track ring having an opening for engagement around the pipe. A travel carriage rotationally engaged with the annular track ring has a first motor for rotating the travel carriage and an engaged welding head around the pipe for forming a weld thereon. A second motor is provided to adjust a distance of the welding head from the pipe.

The disclosure relates to an orbital welding head for an orbital welding apparatus for connecting by means of a cable to a welding current source in a welding current source housing, said current source being equipped with a base controller. The orbital welding head has a tube mount and a welding electrode holder rotatably supported opposite the tube mount for mounting a welding electrode, wherein the orbital welding apparatus has a motor, which is configured in order to drive the welding electrode holder and thus rotate it opposite the tube mount, wherein the orbital welding head has a chamber for inert gas, which is configured in order to surround the welding electrode of the orbital welding head during a welding process and to essentially terminate it outwardly. The orbital welding head has an electronic circuit, which has a memory arranged in the orbital welding head. The electronic circuit is configured in order to store one or more electrode load values of the welding electrode. The electronic circuit of the orbital welding head and/or the base controller is configured such that a maintenance state value of the welding electrode is determined on the basis of the electrode load values, said state being a measure of wear on the welding electrode.

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.