摘要 |
An expandable tool (10) for holding and aligning pipes (12, 14) to be welded together is disclosed. The tool includes an annular array of radially movable gripping elements (20) for engagement with the interior wall of the pipes to be welded. A wedge (50) is mounted for axial movement relative to the gripping elements to effect selective radial outward movement of the gripping elements to align and hold the pipes for welding. The gripping elements are provided with passageways (36) for delivery of gas to preselected zones between the gripping elements and the interior wall surfaces of the pipes in the regions to be welded.
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