Method and system for fusing pipe segments

1. A system for securing first and second metal workpieces defining first and second central axes thereof to a central metal workpiece defining a central axis thereof located between the first and second metal workpieces to form an assembly in a confined space defined by at least one stationary element, the system comprising:

first and second clamps, securable to the first and second metal workpieces respectively;

a central gear, securable to the central metal workpiece;

a drive gear, meshably engagable with the central gear;

a motor secured to said at least one stationary element, for rotating the central metal workpiece about the central axis;

first and second heating elements, positionable respectively between (i) the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, and (ii) the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, for respectively heating (i) opposed ends of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, and (ii) opposed ends of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece;

at least one shielding subassembly, for providing at least one non-oxidizing atmosphere enveloping the opposed ends of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece and the opposed ends of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece;

at least one first ram subassembly, for pushing the first metal workpiece against the central metal workpiece;

at least one second ram subassembly, for pushing the second metal workpiece against the central metal workpiece;

at least one alignment subassembly, for maintaining the first metal workpiece, the central metal workpiece, and the second metal workpiece in coaxial alignment when the first and second metal workpieces are pushed against the central metal workpiece;

at least one arm ( 57 ) comprising an outer end ( 58 ) thereof that is slidably engaged with said at least one alignment subassembly ( 54 ); and

a plurality of bearings ( 56 ) mounted on said at least one arm ( 57 ) for engagement with the central metal workpiece ( 26 ) as the central metal workpiece ( 26 ) is rotated, to maintain the central metal workpiece ( 26 ) in coaxial alignment with the first and second workpieces,

wherein the first and second heating elements are removable once the opposed ends of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, and the opposed ends of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, are heated to a hot working temperature, and the first and second metal workpieces are then pushed against the rotating central metal workpiece, subjecting the first and second metal workpieces and the central metal workpieces to shear stresses, for bonding the opposed ends of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece together, and for bonding the opposed ends of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece together to form the assembly in the confined space.

2. A method of securing first and second metal workpieces ( 22 , 24 ) defining first and second central axes thereof to a central metal workpiece ( 26 ) defining a central axis thereof positioned between the first and second metal workpieces and located in a confined space defined by at least one stationary element, to provide an assembly in the confined space, the method comprising:

(a) securing a motor ( 36 ) to said at least one stationary element;

(b) securing a central gear ( 32 ) to the central metal workpiece ( 26 );

(c) meshably engaging a drive gear ( 34 ) rotatable by the motor with the central gear;

(d) providing at least one alignment subassembly ( 54 ) in the confined space;

(e) mounting at least one first ram subassembly ( 50 ) to said at least one alignment subassembly ( 54 );

(f) mounting at least one second ram subassembly ( 52 ) to said at least one alignment subassembly ( 54 );

(g) securing the first and second workpieces to said at least one first ram subassembly and to said at least one second ram subassembly respectively via respective first and second clamps ( 28 , 30 ) that are mounted to the first and second workpieces;

(h) providing at least one arm ( 57 ) comprising an outer end ( 58 ) that is slidably engaged with said at least one alignment subassembly ( 54 );

(i) providing a plurality of bearings ( 56 ) mounted on said at least one arm ( 57 );

(j) engaging the bearings ( 56 ) with the central metal workpiece ( 26 );

(k) positioning the first and second metal workpieces coaxially and positioning the central metal workpiece coaxially therebetween, to locate ends ( 42 , 44 ) of the first metal workpiece ( 22 ) and the central metal workpiece ( 26 ) opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, and to locate the ends ( 46 , 48 ) of the second metal workpiece ( 24 ) and the central metal workpiece ( 26 ) spaced apart from each other;

(l) positioning first and second heating elements respectively between (i) respective ends ( 42 , 44 ) of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, and (ii) respective ends ( 46 , 48 ) of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, for respectively heating (i) the opposed ends ( 42 , 44 ) of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, and (ii) the opposed ends ( 46 , 48 ) of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece;

(m) providing at least one non-oxidizing atmosphere enveloping the opposed ends of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece and the opposed ends of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece, said at least one non-oxidizing atmosphere being held in position by at least one shielding assembly;

(n) energizing the first and second heating elements, for heating the respective ends ( 42 , 44 ) of the first metal workpiece and the respective ends ( 46 , 48 ) of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece to a hot working temperature;

(o) energizing the motor, to rotate the central metal workpiece about its axis; and

(p) while the ends ( 42 , 44 ) of the first metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece are at the hot working temperature, while the ends ( 46 , 48 ) of the second metal workpiece and the central metal workpiece are at the hot working temperature, and while the central metal workpiece rotates about the axis thereof, with said at least one first ram subassembly, pushing the end ( 42 ) of the first metal workpiece against the end ( 44 ) of the central metal workpiece, and with said at least one second ram subassembly, pushing the end ( 46 ) of the second metal workpiece against the end ( 48 ) of the central metal workpiece, to form the assembly in the confined space.