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| Abstract No.: |
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Scheduled at:
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Tuesday, March 27, 2012, SuperC, Hall Ford 11:10 AM
Applications/Efficiency 2
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| Title: |
Development of local vacuum, mobile seal technology for the application of electron beam welding to massive structures
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| Authors: |
Chris Punshon* / TWI Limited, UK
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| Abstract: |
EB welding of steel structures up to 200mm thickis an attractive proposition due to the level of integrity and productivity achievable.In many applications the size and geometry of assemblies is too large to be contained within a vacuum chamber. Examples includestructures for offshore wind turbinesandlarge power industry pressure plant.
TWI has developed a small and novel, local-movable vacuum chamber which enablesthe practical application of EB welding of large structures either in the fabrication shop or on-site.Use in conjunction with TWIs Reduced Pressure electron beam (RPEB) gun offers the possibility of locally deploying a 100kW welding beam.
The RPEB gun is able to produce high integritywelds at pressures of typically 0.5mbar, so demands upon the sliding seal are lower than for welding at higher vacuum pressures. The performance of the system in welding C-Mnand low alloy steelsand comparisons to in-chamber, high vacuumwelds will be detailed.
This will allow on-site thick section fabrication, reducing construction times and allowing precise fabrication or repair welding. New high accuracy designs may be implemented where previously on-site fabrication was impossible.Applications in cryogenics, particle physics, light sources, and new power station build are envisaged.
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