Remote-controlled welding arrangement for use in fluid-filled vessels - used by placing vertical guide in movable welding chamber, sealing chamber by rubber ring, removing fluid and backfilling with inert gas, etc.

摘要

Remote-controlled welding arrangement allowing use in fluid-filled vessels is used by (a) placing a vertical guide, with an accurately movable welding chamber (5); (b) sealing the chamber by a rubber ring (6) at the required position on the inner wall (3) after surface prepn.; (c) removing the fluid and backfilling with inert gas, e.g. Ar; and (d) positioning and welding the part (9) to the inner wall of the vessel. A cylindrical chamber (5) can be accurately moved along a vertical guide rod. The chamber is provided with a spring-loaded rubber sealing ring (6), a sensor-controlled push-rod moving along the centre axis of the chamber and holding the part to be attached (e.g., a support pin (9)), and supply connections including fluid drain, gas inlet and welding power and feed supplies. To ensure good sealing, the inner surface (3) may have minimal material removed by spark erosion, sufficient for the purpose and not to fall below an acceptable min. thickness of the cladding layer. At the correct position, the sealing ring (6) is pressed against the wall and the fluid pumped out. The chamber is then filled with an inert gas, e.g., Ar.