Enhanced arc control for magnetically impelled butt welding

US9669483B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Joerg Lehr · Sulingen, DE
• Dominik Brouwer · Burgwedel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 16, 2014
• Grant date: Jun 6, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K9/0282
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Tubulars are joined for subterranean borehole use in the production of hydrocarbons by a technique of magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding. Large casing can be accommodated and the weld quality is maintained with control over the pattern of arc movement on the end walls by virtue of relative movements of the tubulars as the arc is generated and the magnetic field is applied. One or both tubulars can be manipulated relatively in a variety of direction to control the movements of the arc as the magnetic field induces circular arc movement along the end walls of the tubulars to heat up the ends to the temperature needed to effectively fuse the wall ends together. Movement can be rotational or axial about a fixed axis or lateral with respect to the axes both with and without skewing of the axes. The movements can be combined to obtain the desired track.