INTERNAL PIPE CLAMP FOR INERT GAS WELDING

摘要

: An internal pipe clamp is disclosed which has integral seals for providing an enclosed volume within the abutting pipe sections to be welded. The oxygen can be purged from the enclosed volume to provide an inert atmosphere at the weld site for an improved weld with alloys such as stainless steel. The internal pipe clamp is preferrably employed with a pulse MIG welding technique and greatly decreases the time necessary to prepare and weld abutting pipe sections. The seals in their relaxed state permits the clamp to be moved freely within the pipes. When inflated, the seals deform to seal between the inner surface of a pipe and the frame of the clamp to isolate the enclosed volume.