US 12,214,449 B2
Mobile hardbanding unit
James G. Acquaye, Oklahoma City, OK (US)
Filed by James G. Acquaye, Oklahoma City, OK (US)
Filed on Sep. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/460,539.
Application 18/460,539 is a continuation of application No. 16/391,549, filed on Apr. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,911,856.
Application 16/391,549 is a continuation of application No. 15/041,700, filed on Feb. 11, 2016, granted, now 10,307,852, issued on Jun. 4, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0149366 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B23K 9/04 (2006.01); B23K 9/00 (2006.01); B23K 9/23 (2006.01); B23K 10/02 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/046 (2013.01) [B23K 9/0052 (2013.01); B23K 9/23 (2013.01); B23K 10/027 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mobile hardbanding unit for applying a wear-resistant metal band to a drill string section, the unit comprising:
a mobile platform;
a weld box supported on the platform comprising an opening for receiving a drill string section;
a PTA torch supportable in the weld box;
an electrical power source electrically connected to the PTA torch;
electrical conduits connecting the power source to the PTA torch;
a PTA powder feed assembly comprising:
a PTA powder container connectable to a supply of PTA powder gas;
a PTA conduit for conducting gas-entrained PTA powder to the PTA torch; and
an adjustable feeder for metering the supply of gas-entrained PTA powder to the PTA conduit;
a conduit configured to connect a center gas supply to the PTA torch;
a conduit configured to connect a shield gas supply to the PTA torch;
a cooling system comprising:
a chiller; and
a conduit for circulating a chilled fluid between the chiller and the PTA torch and the electrical conduits connecting the power source to the PTA torch;
a pipe management assembly; and
a control system.