A welding torch adapted for welding deep narrow gaps wherein shielding gas diffusers fit inside the welding groove, a plastic liner is placed deep inside the torch so electric contact between the filler wire and contact tube is close to the exit, and a zirconia oxide insulation prevents torch contact with the gap walls.

Deep narrow gap welding torch

A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of an external fluid which travels through an opening into an enclosed area. Also, a method and apparatus for protecting a surface area or plane from contact with or intermixing with an external fluid. The method, in general, comprises causing a fluid to flow, in laminar form, in proximity to or directly across an opening, a surface or an area plane to be protected. The depth or thickness of the flowing laminar fluid layer at its source of origin is at least about 0.05 times the distance across the opening, surface area or plane to be protected, in the principal direction of flow of the fluid at its source of origin. The width of fluid flow at its source of origin and transverse the direction of fluid flow is at least about as great as the maximum width of the opening, surface or area plane to be protected, transverse the direction of fluid flow. The Force Number of the fluid must range between about 0.05 and about 50; the preferred range for the Force Number is from about 0.1 to about 10.

Wide laminar fluid doors

A gas lens assembly for an arc welding torch includes a lens body (24), a passage (30) through the lens body for receiving an electrode (48) therethrough and for permitting flow of an inert gas in the passage. A lens housing (32) is secured to the lens body. One or more openings in the forward end portion of the lens body enable the inert gas to flow from the passage into the housing. The gas lens assembly includes a flow control device (36) associated with the housing through which said inert gas is adapted to flow. The gas lens assembly includes a holder (34) for the flow control device releasably and removably attached to the lens housing whereby the flow control member may readily be replaced.

Gas lens assembly

The present invention is a tungsten inert gas or similar welding torch (2) which is readily adjustable in length for different welding situations. The torch has a relatively conventional head (4) with a heat shield (26) attached at the lower end. The heat shield (26) serves as a resilient telescopic mounting for the gas cup (24) which surrounds the electrode (20). It further serves to give thermal and mechanical isolation between the torch head (4) and gas cup (24). A gas diffusion screen pack (32) is located within and bears against an inner circumference of the gas cup (24) to provide resilient support and center the cup about the longitudinal axis of the electrode (20). The gas cup (24) may be extended or retracted a limited distance within the heat shield (26) and may also be rotated if desired. Alternatively, longer or shorter electrode collet bodies (30, 70, 84) can be screwed into the head to provide almost unlimited adjustment of torch length. A gas cup (24, 68, 82) of appropriate length is used with each collet body (30, 70, 84).

Inert gas welding torch

The invention provides a method of welding heavy metal sections located deep under water without having to raise the sections to the surface. The method consists of lowering a chamber having an open bottom until it encloses the area to be worked upon. Preferably a pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber as it is being lowered in order to prevent the water from rising beyond a certain level which is maintained in a dry condition. After the chamber is set in place, a pressurized gas is introduced to displace the remaining water in the chamber. Thereafter the chamber atmosphere is preferably maintained in a substantially inert condition and the weld made with a nonconsumable electrodeinert gas-welding apparatus operating with a 1/64- to 1/4 -inch arc length at 85 to 250 amps and at a voltage sufficient to maintain a stable arc.

Robert J Nelson

Papers

Method and apparatus for arc working with gas shields having coherentstreaming

Gas stream-shielded arc working