Methods and systems of joining pipes

Abstract

A system and method is provided for joining pipes where a keyhole is formed in each of the pipe ends and then a filler metal is placed in the keyholes to join the pipes to each other. The filler metal can be deposited using a laser hot wire process.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A joint system:
 a first pipe of a first base material;   a second pipe of a second base material, the second pipe axially aligned with the first pipe to define a joint axis ;   at least a partial keyhole extending through at least one of the first and second pipe, the keyhole extending circumferentially about the joint axis; and   a weld metal formed in the keyhole from a heated wire introduced into the keyhole.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second base materials are dissimilar materials. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the weld metal tapers from a first pipe to the second pipe. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least partial keyhole extends completely through the first and second pipe materials toward the joint axis. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein first pipe overlaps the second pipe. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising a sleeve connecting the first and second pipe. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve is overlapped by at least one of the first and second pipes. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve overlaps at least one of the first and second pipes.