System for automated manufacture of pressure vessels
US4744499A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 17, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/032
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for automated manufacture of a pressure vessel, the system including a cutting station at which an elongated cylinder is cut into a selected length forming the vessel shell, a first, second and third computer control shell indexing station, each indexing station having means to rotate the shell about its horizontal axis in response to computer control, a computer control multi-axes arm robot having means to grasp and manipulate a cutting torch and a welding torch, the robot moving to the first index station to cut holes in the shell at preselected locations and, at the second indexing station for welding piping fittings in the shell having holes cut therein, and at the third indexing station for welding a head on each end of the shell to close the vessel. In the preferred arrangement the robot is mounted on a track which runs parallel to the first, second and third indexing stations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.