Ernest A Benway

49738232, Nov 27, 1990

Jun 28, 1989

7/373029

Ernest A. Benway - Mentor OH
Thomas J. Gardner - Kirtland OH

Cajon Company - Macedonia OH

B23K 923

219161

A clamping device for holding cylindrical workpieces having a nominal radius R which varies from a minimum of (R-A) to a maximum of (R+B), where A and B are the limits of the tolerance range for the nominal radius, includes opposed clamp halves each having a clamp face adapted to be moved toward and away from one another and each of the clamp halves carrying a rigid collet element adapted to engage on opposite sides of cylindrical workpieces when the clamp halves are moved toward one another. Each of the collet elements has a semi-cylindrical clamping surface extending inwardly from the clamp face of the respective clamp half. Each semi-cylindrical clamping surface has a radius substantially equal to (R+B) with the center of the radius being offset outwardly of the clamp face of the respective clamp half an amount at least equal to (A+B). Preferably, the center of the radius is offset an amount at least equal to (A+B+C), where C is the tolerance deviation permitted to the radius (R+C). Additionally, each clamping surface is comprised of individual surface portions mounted for independent flexing movement to allow the collet to further compensate for workpiece tolerance variations.

52236862, Jun 29, 1993

Jul 31, 1992

7/923247

Ernest A. Benway - Mentor OH
Theodore J. Gausman - Painesville OH
Charles N. Richards - Twinsburg OH
Michael J. Mussig - Leroy Township OH
David N. Stafford - Lakewood OH

Cajon Company - Willoughby OH

B23K 912

219 60A

An orbital welding apparatus includes a first housing defining a weld head assembly and a circular rotor disposed therein for rotation about a first axis. A welding electrode is carried by the rotor for welding. A second housing separate from the first housing forms a power transmission and has a second drive shaft extending therefrom. A flexible drive shaft connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to conduct rotary drive forces from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft while permitting the relative orientations of the first and second housings to be freely adjustable. A third and independent housing carries an electric drive motor and forms a power drive motor module with a rotary output shaft. A releasable clamping mechanism is provided for positioning and holding cylindrical members to be welded in an axially aligned relationship with their ends abutting in a single plane. A safety interlock mechanism is provided for sensing the releasable clamping mechanism in an operative position to prevent inadvertent operation or operation of the welding unit when the clamping mechanism is malaligned.

51361345, Aug 4, 1992

Oct 31, 1990

7/606421

Ernest A. Benway - Mentor OH
Theodore J. Gausman - Concord OH
Charles N. Richards - Twinsburg OH

Cajon Company - Macedonia OH

B23K 912

219 60A

An orbital welding apparatus comprising a modular weld head unit including a circular rotor carrying a welding electrode for rotation about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. A drive assembly for driving the rotor includes a motor unit carried in a separate modular housing for ready manual connection and disconnection from the weld head unit. In the preferred form a transmission module is connected with the motor unit and connects to the weld head unit by a flexible drive shaft assembly to allow the motor unit to have substantially any desired orientation relative to the weld head unit. There is also disclosed a separate clamping assembly for holding the tubular members relative to the weld head unit.

48683671, Sep 19, 1989

Jul 8, 1988

7/216773

Ernest A. Benway - Mentor OH
Thomas J. Gardner - Kirtland OH

Cajon Company - Macedonia OH

B23K 923

219161

A clamping device for holding cylindrical workpieces having a nominal radius R which varies from a minimum of (R-A) to a maximum of (R+B), where A and B are the limits of the tolerance range for the nominal radius. The clamping device includes opposed clamp halves each having a clamp face adapted to be moved toward and away from one another and each of the clamp halves carrying a rigid collet element adapted to engage on opposite sides of cylindrical workpieces when the clamp halves are moved toward one another. According to the disclosure, each of the collet elements has a semi-cylindrical clamping surface extending inwardly from the clamp face of the respective clamp half. Each semi-cylindrical clamping surface has a radius substantially equal to R+B) with the center of the radius being offset outwardly of the clamp face of the respective clamp half an amount at least equal to (A+B). Preferably, the center of the radius is offset an amount at least equal to (A+B+C), where C is the tolerance deviation permitted to the radius (R+B).

58441905, Dec 1, 1998

Dec 3, 1996

8/763849

Ernest A. Benway - Mentor OH
James M. Kane - Twinsburg OH
Charles N. Richards - Twinsburg OH

Cajon Company - Macedonia OH

B23K 912

219 60A

An orbital welding apparatus (B) comprises a modular weld head apparatus (10) including a rotor assembly (20) which carries a welding electrode (26). The rotor assembly is rotated about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. The rotor assembly includes a C-shaped insulating rotor member (22) which has teeth (28) disposed around an outside periphery thereof. The insulating rotor member is configured to receive an electrically conductive member (24). The conductive member is insulated by the rotor member to reduce arcing from the conductive member to other components. A drive assembly (98) within the weld head assembly engages the insulating rotor member to rotate the rotor assembly about the axis during welding.