Pipe processing tool with pipe deformation members

Abstract

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . In combination, a pipe positioner and a welder for surrounding, clutching, securing and manipulating a position of ends of pipes to be welded and welding the ends together, the combination comprising:
 a pipe positioner, the pipe positioner including a pair of grapples mounted on a main beam, the grapples for grabbing and securing a pipe;   a welder, the welder including a welding bug including a torch, a bug rail on which the welding bug is guided, a deformation ring, and a sensor,   the deformation ring including radially extending shoes which forcefully engage an outer surface of a pipe to be welded;   the sensor including at least one radially inward directed sensor connected to a mount on the welder;   the welding bug rollably connected to the bug rail and traversing the bug rail in parallel arc with the welding area;   the deformation ring and the sensor include at least one pivotable clamshell structure for selectively surrounding the pipe;   wherein the welder is mounted to the pipe positioner and the clamshell structure openable in concert with the grapples to receive the pipe ends and closable after closing of the grapples to surround a weld region of the pipe.   
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the mount is on the welding bug and the sensor rotates around the pipe along with the welding bug. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the welder includes an actuator for transforming the clamshell structure between open and closed configurations. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 18 , further including a control system for receiving a first set of position data sensed from a first pipe end and a second set of position data sensed from a second pipe end and comparing the first set of position data to the second set of position data to calculate a desired repositioning of at least one portion of one or both of the pipe ends toward better weld alignment. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 21 , wherein the repositioning is performed by one or both of the grapples and the deformation ring. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein an initial relative positioning of the pipe ends is performed by the grapples, then the position of the pipe ends is sensed and then a second positioning of the pipe ends is performed by at least one of the grapples and the deformation ring.