BUTT JOINT FRICTION WELDING EQUIPMENT FOR TUBULAR ELEMENTS AND BUTT JOINT FRICTION WELDING METHOD FOR TUBULAR ELEMENTS

摘要

The present invention relates to a butt joint friction welding equipment and to a butt joint friction welding method for tubular elements using the alternating movement of a ring provided with a channel having a diameter similar to the diameter of the tubular element and a width similar to the width of the wall of the tubular element, said ring being placed between the ends of the tubular elements being welded. The equipment is formed by two two-part assemblies for fastening the equipment to the tubular elements, these assemblies being actuated by hydraulic cylinders that extend transversely to the axis of the tubular elements in order to apply a clamping force to each tubular element, and by hydraulic cylinders that extend longitudinally to the axis of the tubular elements to apply a compression force to said tubular elements, these hydraulic cylinders also joining the two fastening assemblies to one another. Besides the fastening assemblies, the equipment comprises an assembly for generating the alternating friction movement of the ring in order to carry out welding. This assembly comprises a two-part ring that secures the friction ring, and a hydraulic cylinder for producing the alternating movement of the ring.