Welding torch oscillating mechanical apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for positioning a welding torch in two axes with respect to a weld path, comprising: mounting means supported in predetermined relation to the weld path; first movable means carried by said mounting means and supported for movement along a first axis; first motive means comprising a stationary portion supported in fixed relation to said first movable means and a second portion selectably operative to position said first movable means along said first axis; second movable means carried by said first movable means and supported for movement relative to said first movable means along a second axis; second motive means comprising a stationary portion supported in fixed relation to said first movable means and said second means and a second portion operative to selectably position said second movable means along said second axis independently of the position of said first movable means along said first axis; and welding torch support means carried by said second movable means for movement along either of said axes relative to the weld path, whereby the mass of the stationary portion of each motive means is excluded from the mass being positioned by the motive means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said first and second paths are transverse to each other, and are at transverse attitudes relative to the longitudinal extent of the weld path.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein: said mounting means comprises a housing; said first movable means comprises a bearing block supported for reciprocal movement along said first path within said housing; said second movable means is supported by said bearing block for reciprocal movement along said second path; said second motive means is positioned within said housing adjacent said bearing block for selective movement along said second path; and means operatively interconnecting said second motive means with said second movable means to couple said movement along said second path only.

Claim 5

Apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising position sensor means positioned within said housing and operative to provide a position signal which corresponds to the position of said second movable means on said second path.

Claim 6

Apparatus for positioning a welding torch in two axes with respect to a weld path, comprising: mounting means supported in predetermined relation to the weld path; first movable means supported by said mounting means for movement along a first axis relative to the weld path; a first motor supported by said mounting means in fixed relation to said mounting means; first interconnecting means supported by said mounting means and operatively interconnected between said first motor and said first movable means to move said first movable means along said first axis; second movable means supported by said first movable means for movement relative to said first movable means along a second axis relative to the weld path; a second motor supported by said mounting means in fixed relation to said mounting means; second interconnecting means supported by said mounting means and operatively interconnecting said second motor to said second movable means to selectably position said second movable means along said second axis independently of the position of said first movable means along said first axis; and welding torch support means carried by said second movable means for movement along either of said axes relative to the weld path, so that said first and second motors remain stationary relative to said mounting means as said torch support means is moved along each axis.

Claim 7

Apparatus for positioning a welding torch in two axes with respect to a weld path, comprising: mounting means supported in predetermined relation to the weld path; first movable means supported by said mounting means for movement along a first axis relative to the weld path; a first motor supported by said mounting means in fixed relation to said mounting means; first interconnecting means supported by said mounting means and operatively interconnected between said first motor and said first movable means to move said first movable means along said first axis; second movable means supported by said first movable means for movement relative to said first movable means along a second axis relative to the weld path; a second motor supported by said mounting means in fixed relation to said mounting means; second interconnecting means supported by said mounting means and operatively interconnecting said second motor to said second movable means to selectably position said second movable means along said second axis independently of the position of said first movable means along said first axis; and welding torch support means carried by said second movable means for movement along either of said axes relative to the weld path, so that said first and second motors remain stationary relative to said mounting means as said torch support means is moved along each axis.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said second interconnecting means comprises: a member operatively connected to said second motor for selective movement along a path parallel to said second axis; and means providing a lost-motion interconnection between said member and said second movable means along a path parallel to said first axis, so that said first movable means can move said second movable means and said torch support means along said first axis without interference from said fixed second motor.