Jett B Trent

US Patent:

42912199, Sep 22, 1981

Filed:

Jan 3, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/109364

Inventors:

Jett B. Trent - Knoxville TN
Jimmy L. Murphy - Oak Ridge TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B23K 1500
G05D 312
B23K 3704

US Classification:

219121EY

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for automatically maintaining a shrinking weld joint in alignment with an electron beam during an electron-beam multipass-welding operation. The apparatus utilizes a biasing device for continually urging a workpiece-supporting face plate away from a carriage mounted base that rotatably supports the face plate. The extent of displacement of the face plate away from the base is indicative of the shrinkage occuring in the weld joint area. This displacement is measured and is used to move the base on the carriage a distance equal to one-half the displacement for aligning the weld joint with the electron beam during each welding pass.