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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Apparatus for maintaining alignment of a shrinking weld joint in an electron-beam welding operation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:863996
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for automatically maintaining a shrinking weld joint in alignment with an electron beam during an electron-beam multipass-welding operation. The apparatus utilizes a biasing device for continually urging a workpiece-supporting face plate away from a carriage mounted base that rotatably supports the face plate. The extent of displacement of the face plate away from the base is indicative of the shrinkage occuring in the weld joint area. This displacement is measured and is used to move the base on the carriage a distance equal to one-half the displacement for aligning the weld joint with the electron beam during each welding pass.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4291219
OSTI ID:
863996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English