Claims:We Claim:

1) A system (100) for handling a welding torch (10) used for welding workpieces (20), said system (100) comprising:
• a first frame (30);
• a floating arm (40) defined with a first end (40a) and a second end (40b);
• a first mechanism (50) disposed between said first end (40a) of said floating arm (40) and said first frame (30) to move said floating arm (40) in a first direction;
• a second mechanism (60) disposed between said first mechanism (50) and said floating arm (40) to move said floating arm (40) in a second direction, said floating arm (40) pivotally suspended from said second mechanism (60);
• at least one rotational element (70) disposed at the second end (40b) of said floating arm (40); and
• a holder (80) adjustably clamped at a pre-determined distance on said floating arm (40) and configured to hold the welding torch (10),
wherein, in an operative configuration said rotational element (70) and said floating arm (40) configured to self-align to maintain established contact of said rotational element (70) with the configuration of the workpieces (20) and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch (10) with the workpieces (20).

2) The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a third mechanism disposed between said floating arm (40) and said first frame (30) for angular displacement therebetween.

3) The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first direction is a horizontal direction and said second direction is a vertical direction.

4) A system (100) for handling a welding torch (10) used for welding workpieces (20), said system (100) comprising:
o a first frame (30);
o a first mechanism (50) comprises:
• a railing (51) connected to said first frame (30); and
• a first carriage (52) slidingly positioned on said railing (51) and defined with a side edge (52a), said first carriage (52) configured to move in a first direction;
o a second mechanism (60) comprises a second frame (61) movably connected to said side edge (52a), said second frame (61) moveable in a second direction;
o a floating arm (40) defined with a first end (40a) and a second end (40b), said first end (40a) pivotally suspended from the second frame (61);
o at least one rotational element (70) disposed at the second end (40b) of said floating arm (40); and
o a holder (80) adjustably clamped at a pre-determined distance on said floating arm (40) and configured to hold the welding torch (10),
wherein, in an operative configuration said rotational element (70) and said floating arm (40) configured to self-align to maintain established contact of said rotational element (70) with the configuration of the workpiece (20) and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch (10) with the workpiece (20).

5) The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said holder (80) is clamped by use of at least one bolt arrangement.

6) The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotational element (70) is a one or more pulleys.

7) The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, further comprises a third mechanism disposed between said second frame (61) and said side edge (52a) of said first carriage (52) for angular displacement therebetween.

8) The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first direction is a horizontal direction and said second direction is a vertical direction.

9) A method for handling a welding torch (10) for welding of workpieces (20), said method comprising:
• providing a first frame (30);
• providing a floating arm (40) defined with a first end (40a) and a second end (40b);
• adjusting, a first mechanism (50), disposed between said first end (40a) of said floating arm (40) and said first frame (30), to move said floating arm (40) in a first direction and reach in vicinity of said workpieces;
• adjusting, a second mechanism (60), disposed between said first mechanism (50) and said floating arm (40) to move said floating arm (40) in a second direction to reach the welding position, said floating arm (40) pivotally suspended from said second mechanism (60);
• providing at least one rotational element (70) at the second end of said floating arm (40); and
• adjusting and clamping a holder (80) at a pre-determined distance on said floating arm (40), said holder (80) configured to hold the welding torch (10),
wherein, in an operative configuration said rotational element (70) and said floating arm (40) configured to self-align to maintain established contact of said rotational element (70) with the configuration of the workpieces (20) and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch (10) with the workpieces (20).

10) The method (100) as claimed in claim 9, further comprises the step of performing angular displacement between said floating arm (40) and said first frame (30) by a third mechanism.

11) The method (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of moving in said first direction is a horizontal direction and said second direction is a vertical direction.

12) A method for handling a welding torch (10) for welding workpieces (20), said method comprising:
o providing a first frame (30);
o adjusting a first mechanism (50) in a first direction and reach in vicinity of said workpieces, said first mechanism (50) comprises:
• a railing (51) connected to said first frame (30); and
• a first carriage (52) slidingly positioned on said railing (51) and defined with a side edge (52a);
o adjusting a second mechanism (60) in a second direction to reach the welding position, said second mechanism (60) comprises a second frame (61) movably connected to said side edge (52a);
o providing a floating arm (40) defined with a first end (40a) and a second end (40b), said first end (40a) pivotally suspended from the second frame (61);
o providing at least one rotational element (70) disposed at the second end (40b) of said floating arm (40); and
o adjusting and clamping a holder (80) at a pre-determined distance on said floating arm (40), said holder (80) configured to hold the welding torch (10),
wherein, in an operative configuration said rotational element (70) and said floating arm (40) configured to self-align to maintain established contact of said rotational element (70) with the configuration of the workpiece (20) and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch (10) with the workpiece (20).

13) The method as claimed in claim 12, clamping said holder (80) by use of at least one bolt arrangement.

14) The method as claimed in claim 12, providing said rotational element (70) as a one or more pulleys.

15) The method as claimed in claim 12, adjusting a third mechanism disposed between said second frame (61) and said side edge (52a) of said first carriage (52) to achieve angular displacement therebetween.

16) The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of moving in said first direction is a horizontal direction and said second direction is a vertical direction.

DATED THIS 15th day of May, 2019

GARGI PHADATARE
(IN/PA/2209)
PATENT AGENT OF APPLICANT
, Description:
FORM – 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A WELDING TORCH

UM TECHNOLOGY
AN INDIAN COMPANY OF
Nsg Royal One, Flat No. A307,
Near Hotel Shivsagar, New DP Road, Pimple Nilakh,
City: Pune, State: Maharashtra,
Country: India, Pin Code: 411027

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to a welding machine. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for handling a welding torch.

BACKGROUND
[002] Welding of cylindrical components is a challenging task because of deviation in roundness of the cylindrical components. Roundness of the cylindrical components cannot be uniform throughout because of limitation in bending of cylindrical sheets. A deviation of around 10mm to 20mm can be observed. A sensor based welding machine can be utilized for welding such cylindrical components in which the sensor senses the roundness of the cylindrical components and the sensed data is fed to a pre-programmed controller which signals movement of a welding torch based on sensed signal of the roundness of the cylindrical components. However, such sensor based machines are cost intensive because of need of the sensor and the pre-programmed controller. Also, the replacement cost of the sensor and the pre-programmed controller is more in event of replacement during maintenance, thus increasing maintenance cost.

[003] Hence, there is a need for a system and method for handling a welding torch that can alleviate some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] Some of the objects of the arrangement of the present disclosure are aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative and are listed herein below.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for handling a welding torch that adjusts/self-aligns the welding torch in accordance with the configuration of workpieces during welding.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for handling a welding torch that is comparatively less costly because of no requirement of a sensor and a pre-programmed controller based conventional automatic welding machines.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for handling a welding torch that requires less maintenance and thus is cost effective.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for handling a welding torch that requires less skilled labor.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for handling a welding torch that is easy to install or easy to retrofit in existing welding machines.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for handling a welding torch that is simple, reliable and requires less skilled labor for operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY
[005] The present disclosure discloses a system for handling a welding torch used for welding workpieces, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes a first frame, a floating arm, a first mechanism, a second mechanism, at least one rotational element and a holder. The floating arm is defined with a first end and a second end. The first mechanism is disposed between the first end of the floating arm and the first frame to move the floating arm in a first direction. The second mechanism is disposed between the first mechanism and the floating arm to move the floating arm in a second direction. The floating arm is pivotally suspended from the second mechanism. The at least one rotational element is disposed at the second end of the floating arm. The holder is adjustably clamped at a pre-determined distance on the floating arm and configured to hold the welding torch. In an operative configuration, the rotational element and the floating arm are configured to self-align to maintain established contact of the rotational element with the configuration of the workpieces and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch with the workpieces.
[006] The present disclosure discloses a system for handling a welding torch used for welding workpieces, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes a first frame, a first mechanism, a second mechanism, a floating arm, at least one rotational element and a holder. The first mechanism includes a railing and a first carriage. The railing is connected to the main frame. The first carriage is slidingly positioned on the railing and defined with a side edge. The first carriage moves in a first direction. The second mechanism includes a second frame that is movably connected to the side edge. The second frame is moveable in a second direction. The floating arm is defined with a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally suspended from the second frame. The at least one rotational element is disposed at the second end of the floating arm. The holder is adjustably clamped at a pre-determined distance on the floating arm and holds the welding torch. In an operative configuration, the rotational element and the floating arm self-aligns to maintain established contact of the rotational element with the configuration of the workpiece and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch with the workpiece.
[007] The present discloses a method for handling a welding torch for welding of workpieces. The method includes providing a first frame. A floating arm is provided which is defined with a first end and a second end. A first mechanism is disposed between the first end of the floating arm and the first frame and is adjusted to move the floating arm in a first direction and reach in vicinity of the workpieces. A second mechanism is disposed between the first mechanism and the floating arm and adjusted to move the floating arm (40) in a second direction to reach the welding position. The floating arm is pivotally suspended from the second mechanism. At least one rotational element is provided at the second end of the floating arm. A holder is adjusted and clamped at a pre-determined distance on the floating arm. The holder holds the welding torch. In an operative configuration, the rotational element and the floating arm self-aligns to maintain established contact of the rotational element with the configuration of the workpieces and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch with the workpieces.

[008] The present discloses a method for handling a welding torch for welding of workpieces. The method includes providing a first frame. A first mechanism is adjusted to move in a first direction and reach in vicinity of the workpieces. The first mechanism includes a railing and a first carriage. The railing is connected to the main frame. The first carriage is slidingly positioned on the railing and defined with a side edge. A second mechanism is adjusted to move in a second direction to reach the welding position. The second mechanism includes a second frame movably connected to the side edge. A floating arm is provided and defined with a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally suspended from the second frame. At least one rotational element is provided and disposed at the second end of the floating arm. A holder is adjusted and clamped at a pre-determined distance on the floating arm. The holder is configured to hold the welding torch. In an operative configuration, the rotational element and floating arm self-aligns to maintain established contact of the rotational element with the configuration of the workpiece and thereby maintain contact of the welding torch with the workpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[009] A system and method of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for handling a welding torch, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the welding torch is in an inoperative configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the system of Figure 1, wherein the welding torch is horizontally moved towards the workpieces;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the system of Figure 1, wherein the welding torch is vertically moved towards the workpieces;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective internal view of the system of Figure 1, wherein the welding torch is in a position to initiate welding; and

Figure 5 illustrates another perspective internal view of the system of Figure 1, wherein the welding torch is in a position to initiate welding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[010] Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1-5, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral (100), it can be observed that a system for handling welding torch (10) used for welding workpieces (20), in accordance with one embodiment, is provided that includes a first frame (30), a first mechanism (50), a second mechanism (60), a floating arm (40), at least one rotational element (70) and a holder (80).

[011] The first frame (30), also known as the main frame, supports the various components of the system (100). The size and shape of the first frame (30) can be determined as per requirement at the workshop or based on the available frame (not illustrated in Figures) of the existing machine (not illustrated in Figures).

[012] The first mechanism (50) enables the movement of the floating arm (40) in a first direction. In one embodiment, the first mechanism (50) includes a railing (51) and a first carriage (52). The railing (51) is connected to the first frame (30). Typically, the railing (51) is mounted on the first frame (30) or the railing is configured on the surface of the first frame (30). Thus, the railing can be an integral part of the first frame (30) or can be a separate component which is mounted on the first frame (30). The first carriage (52) is slidingly positioned on the railing (51) and is defined with a side edge (52a). The first carriage (52) moves in the first direction so that the floating arm (40) is brought in the vicinity of the workpiece (20). In one embodiment, the first direction is a horizontal direction.

[013] The second mechanism (60) enables the movement of the floating arm (40) in a second direction. In one embodiment, the second mechanism (60) comprises a second frame (61) which is movably connected to the side edge (52a) or a fixed frame mounted with the side edge (52a). The second frame (61) is moveable in a second direction. Typically, the second direction is transverse to the first direction. As illustrated, the second direction is a vertical direction.

[014] The floating arm (40) provides floating effect for the at least one rotational element (70). The floating arm (40) is defined with a first end (40a) and a second end (40b). The first end (40a) is pivotally suspended from the second frame (61).In one embodiment as illustrated in Figures, a bolt and nut arrangement is used to pivotally suspend the first end (40a) from the second frame (61).

[015] The rotational element (70) is freely rotatable and disposed at the second end (40b) of the floating arm (40) and during operative configuration is in contact with the workpieces (20) to be welded. As illustrated in the Figures, the rotational element (70) is one or two pulleys which can have line contact with the workpieces. Alternatively, the rotational element (70) can be one or two rollers which can have point contact with the workpieces.

[016] The holder (80) is adjustably clamped at a pre-determined distance on the floating arm (40) and holds the welding torch (10). The holder (80) includes a weld holder (81), a connecting element (82) and a clamp holder (83). The weld holder (81) holds the filler/weld material. The connecting element (82) connects the weld holder (81) and the clamp holder (83). The clamp holder (83) clamps with the floating arm (40). The clamp holder (83) is clamped by a bolt arrangement. In event when adjustment is required, the bolt arrangement is manipulated and the clamp holder (83) is raised or lowered on the floating arm (40) and then clamped at desired position.

[017] In accordance with one embodiment, the system (100) includes a third mechanism (not illustrated in Figures) disposed between the second frame (61) and the side edge (52a) of the first carriage (52) for angular displacement therebetween.

[018] The first mechanism (50) and the second mechanism (60) can be manually displaced or can be automatically displaced by an external electric, hydraulic or pneumatic force or combinations thereof. Similarly, the third mechanism can be manually displaced or can be automatically displaced by an external electric, hydraulic or pneumatic force or combinations thereof.

[019] The present disclosure also discloses a method for handling welding torch (10) for welding workpieces (20). Typically, the workpiece (20) can be cylindrical shaped as illustrated in Figures. The method includes providing the first frame (30). The first mechanism (50) is actuated. More specifically, the first carriage (52) is actuated to slide, manually or automatically, so that the first carriage (52) moves in the first direction towards the workpiece (20) to be welded. Typically, the first carriage (52) is horizontally moved towards the workpiece (20). The second mechanism (60) is then actuated. The second frame (61) is adjusted by moving the second frame (61) on the side edge (52a) or the fixed frame mounted with the side edge (52a) so that the floating arm (40) is moved towards the weld location. Typically, the second frame (61) is moved vertically downward so that the rotational element (70), typically the pulley or the ball, establishes contact with the weld location. The holder (80) is adjusted by manipulating the bolt arrangement so that the filler/weld material is contact or in vicinity of the weld location. The welding process is initiated and the workpiece (20) is rotated. The rotational element (70) remains in contact with the weld location and in event when the roundness of the workpiece chances, the rotational element (70) and the floating arm (40) adjusts themselves by pivotal movement of the floating arm (40) and self-aligns with the weld location. As the floating arm (40) pivotally moves, the holder (80) also pivotally moves and thereby enabling smooth weld even though there is difference in the roundness of the workpiece.

[020] In one embodiment, the floating arm (40) can be provided with an angular displacement by a third mechanism disposed between the second frame (61) and the side edge (52a) of the first carriage (52) for angular displacement therebetween.

[021] The workpiece (20) as described is a cylindrical workpiece that can be welded at interface face or external face. Alternatively the workpiece can be longitudinal workpiece or workpiece of other shapes. The workpiece (20) is rotated by a rotating unit (20a).

[022] Thus, the system (100) is less costly as it does not require cost intensive elements like sensors and pre-programmed controllers. Also, the method of welding is easy and reliable.

[023] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments, steps or alternatives may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.