Clamp for internal gripping and centering of pipe ends - has hydraulic cylinders to expand elements radially onto inner pipe wall

摘要

The pipe clamp comprises a long frame with two fixing devices by means of which the outer ends of two pipes which are to be butt welded together are held coaxially during the welding process. Each fixing device consists of elements distributed around the axis of the clamp which move radially outwards against the inner wall of the pipe end. Each fixing device has its own hydraulic cylinder which serves as the actuator for this movement and is supplied with hydraulic fluid via passages within the clamp body and hydraulic hoses attached to connections on the back end of the clamp and passing through one of the pipes to the pump. The clamp may be used for a range of different pipe sizes. The device is relatively simple and robuts and enables a butt weld to be executed without interfering with the means of coaxially clamping the two pipe ends together.