Gary S Haffke

US Patent:

6508975, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Sep 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/657002

Inventors:

William J. Godlewski - Clifton Park NY
Gary S. Haffke - Ballston Spa NY
Dale Purvis - Amsterdam NY
Ronald W. Bashar - Oakdale CT
Stewart D. Jones - Mechanicville NY
Henry Moretti, Jr. - Cranston RI
James Pimentel - Warwick RI

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

B23K 700

US Classification:

266 55, 266 48, 148196

Abstract:

The invention is a remotely controlled internal pipe cutting device primarily used for cutting pipes where the outside of the pipe is inaccessible at the line where the cut is to be made. The device includes an axial ram within a rotational cylinder which is enclosed in a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to an open end of the pipe and for supporting the ram and cylinder in cantilever fashion within the pipe. A radially movable cutter, preferably a plasma arc torch, is attached to the distal end of the ram. A drive mechanism, containing motors and mechanical hardware for operating the ram and cylinder, is attached to the proximal end of the housing. The ram and cylinder provide for moving the cutter axially and circumferentially, and a cable assembly attached to a remote motor provide for the movement of the cutter radially, within the pipe. The control system can be adjusted and operated remotely to control the position and movement of the cutter to obtain the desired cut. The control system can also provide automatic standoff control for a plasma arc torch.