Apparatus and method for post heat treating pipe or weld joints
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H05B-001/02
H05B-003/58
출원번호
US-0052168
(2011-03-21)
등록번호
US-8809748
(2014-08-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Regan, Colin
출원인 / 주소
Regan, Colin
대리인 / 주소
Haugen, J. Jay
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
9
초록▼
An apparatus and method for heating a pipe prior to performing a welding operation, an interpass welding operation, a hydrogen bake-out operation of a weld joint or for post heat-treating of a weld joint is provided. The heating apparatus can include at least one heating collar placed around a pipe
An apparatus and method for heating a pipe prior to performing a welding operation, an interpass welding operation, a hydrogen bake-out operation of a weld joint or for post heat-treating of a weld joint is provided. The heating apparatus can include at least one heating collar placed around a pipe or weld joint, and a controller unit for controlling the thermal heat energy transferred from the heating collar to the pipe or weld joint.
대표청구항▼
1. A heating apparatus for heating a metal pipe or a metal pipe weld joint, comprising: a) at least one heating collar configured for being disposed around the pipe or weld joint, the at least one heating collar configured for pre-heating the metal pipe to a prior welding temperature or for heating
1. A heating apparatus for heating a metal pipe or a metal pipe weld joint, comprising: a) at least one heating collar configured for being disposed around the pipe or weld joint, the at least one heating collar configured for pre-heating the metal pipe to a prior welding temperature or for heating the metal pipe weld joint to a hydrogen bake out temperature, to a stress test temperature or to a post weld treatment temperature;b) a controller unit configured for connecting to a source of electrical power, the controller unit operatively coupled to the at least one heating collar and further configured for controlling the supply of electrical power to at least one heating collar;c) a contactor disposed in the controller unit for controlling the supply of electrical power to the at least one heating collar; andd) a digital controller disposed in the controller unit configured for turning the contactor on and off, the digital controller further comprising a program for turning the contactor on and off at predetermined times wherein the at least one heating collar can heat the pipe or weld joint at the predetermined times. 2. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises: a) a resistance wire network which is capable of creating thermal heat energy when voltage is applied across the wire network;b) an inner core configured to be contiguous with the pipe or weld joint, to absorb the thermal heat energy from the network and to transfer the thermal heat energy to the pipe or weld joint; andc) a protective layer providing a protective outer covering for supporting and protecting the least one heating collar from the external environment, the protective layer further comprising fastening means for securing each collar securely around the pipe or weld jointing. 3. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises a heat transfer element, the heat transfer element contiguous with the inner core and configured to transfer thermal heat energy from the inner core to the pipe or weld joint. 4. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises an outer cover, the outer cover providing a thermally conductive heat transfer substrate for transferring thermal heat energy from the inner core to the pipe or weld joint. 5. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises an insulating layer, the insulating layer provides a heat insulating layer for protecting the hands of a welding operator from direct thermal contact with the heat transfer element. 6. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller unit further comprises an electrical power cable having a electrical power connector for connecting to the source of electrical power. 7. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the source of electrical power comprises a voltage in the range of approximately 208 VAC to 240 VAC. 8. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the fastening means comprises a first end and a second end disposed on the protective layer, the first end comprising a Velcro™ tab secured to a distal end of the protective layer, and the second end secured to a proximal end of the protective layer, the second end comprising a Velcro receiving end for receiving the Velcro™ tab of the distal end for fastening the at least one heating collar around the circumference of the pipe or weld joint. 9. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the protective outer covering further comprises a hard shell, the hard shell further comprising two portions or halves hinged together. 10. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the fastening means further comprises one or more of the group consisting of a spring-loaded button disposed on one portion or half and an opening for the button disposed on the other portion or half, a thumb-catch disposed on the hard shell portions or halves, and a lynch pin and pin loops disposed on the hard shell portions or halves. 11. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a thermocouple disposed in the at least one heating collar, the thermocouple configured to measure temperature in the at least one heating collar during a heating operation of the pipe or weld joint, the thermocouple operatively coupled to the digital controller wherein the digital controller is configured for turning the contactor on and off in response to the temperature measured by the thermocouple to heat the pipe or weld joint to predetermined temperatures at the predetermined times. 12. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a data logger disposed in the controller unit, the data logger operatively connected to the digital controller, the data logger configured to record at least one temperature reading corresponding to the temperature in the at least one heating collar during the heating operation, the at least one temperature reading comprising the time when the at least one temperature reading occurs. 13. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a computer configured for operatively connecting to the data logger and for retrieving the at least one temperature reading recorded by the data logger during the heating operation from the data logger. 14. A method for heating a metal pipe or a metal pipe weld joint, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a heating apparatus, comprising: i) at least one heating collar configured for being disposed around the pipe or weld joint, the at least one heating collar configured for pre-heating the metal pipe to a prior welding temperature or for heating the metal pipe weld joint to a hydrogen bake out temperature, to a stress test temperature or to a post weld treatment temperature,ii) a controller unit configured for connecting to a source of electrical power, the controller unit operatively coupled to the at least one heating collar and further configured for controlling the supply of electrical power to at least one heating collar,iii) a contactor disposed in the controller unit for controlling the supply of electrical power to the at least one heating collar, andiv) a digital controller disposed in the controller unit configured for turning the contactor on and off, the digital controller further comprising a program for turning the contactor on and off at predetermined times wherein the at least one heating collar can heat the pipe or weld joint at the predetermined times;b) placing the heating apparatus around the pipe or weld joint;c) connecting the heating apparatus to the source of electrical power; andd) turning on the heating apparatus wherein the pipe or weld joint is heated. 15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises: a) a resistance wire network which is capable of creating thermal heat energy when voltage is applied across the wire network;b) an inner core configured to be contiguous with the pipe or weld joint, to absorb the thermal heat energy from the network and to transfer the thermal heat energy to the pipe or weld joint; andc) a protective layer providing a protective outer covering for supporting and protecting the least one heating collar from the external environment, the protective layer further comprising fastening means for securing each collar securely around the pipe or weld jointing. 16. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises a heat transfer element, the heat transfer element contiguous with the inner core and configured to transfer thermal heat energy from the inner core to the pipe or weld joint. 17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises an outer cover, the outer cover providing a thermally conductive heat transfer substrate for transferring thermal heat energy from the inner core to the pipe or weld joint. 18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the at least one heating collar further comprises an insulating layer, the insulating layer provides a heat insulating layer for protecting the hands of a welding operator from direct thermal contact with the heat transfer element. 19. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the controller unit further comprises an electrical power cable having a electrical power connector for connecting to the source of electrical power. 20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the source of electrical power comprises a voltage in the range of approximately 208 VAC to 240 VAC. 21. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a thermocouple disposed in the at least one heating collar, the thermocouple configured to measure temperature in the at least one heating collar during the heating of the pipe or weld joint, the thermocouple operatively coupled to the digital controller wherein the digital controller is configured for turning the contactor on and off in response to the temperature measured by the thermocouple to heat the pipe or weld joint to predetermined temperatures at the predetermined times. 22. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the steps of heating the pipe or weld joint to at least one predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time during the heating of the pipe or weld joint. 23. The method as set forth in claim 21, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a data logger disposed in the controller unit, the data logger operatively connected to the digital controller, the data logger configured to record at least one temperature reading corresponding to the temperature in the at least one heating collar during the heating of the pipe or weld joint, the at least one temperature reading comprising the time when the at least one temperature reading occurs. 24. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a computer configured for operatively connecting to the data logger and for retrieving the at least one temperature reading recorded by the data logger during the heating of the pipe or weld joint from the data logger. 25. The method as set forth in claim 24, further comprising the step of retrieving the at least one temperature reading recorded by the data logger during the heating of the pipe or weld joint.
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