PIPE WELD CLEANING MACHINE

摘要

A pipe joint between welded exposed metal end sections of coated pipe being formed into a pipeline is cleaned before a corrosion resistant film is applied. A cleaning head of a cleaning mechanism is placed with a mounting frame on the pipe in the area of the pipe ends to be cleaned. The cleaning head moves in a succession of longitudinal cleaning passes in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipe area being cleaned. The frame also moves the cleaning head rotatably with respect to the pipe joint to positions for the longitudinal cleaning passes. A control mechanism defines the extent of the longitudinal cleaning passes, and also controls movement of the cleaning head to successive cleaning passes until the pipe joint is cleaned. The control is programmed and automatic, and there is no need for contact with the mechanism while it is in operation. The number of cleaning heads and cleaning material supply and exhaust hoses or tubes, as well as the number of crew required, is reduced.