Abstract: A fusion welding system utilizing a radiant energy heat source such as a laser or electron-beam. The system uses a weld or filler wire having a non-round cross-section shape oriented such that the minor axis of the filler wire is aligned to intersect or nearly intersect the weld bead line. The filler wire cross-sectional shape provides enhanced surface interaction with the radiant energy heat source and possesses mechanical properties enabling more precise positioning of the wire relative to the radiant energy heat source and the weld area.

Abstract: A flexible wire guide conduit includes a plurality of modules that can be chained together and can pivot and rotate relative to each other. Each module is formed of two halves that are generally mirrors of each other across a mating plane between the halves. Each module includes an upper flange and a lower flange defining a receiving cavity. Each module includes a tongue member sized to correspond to the cavity that is received in the receiving cavity. The flanges include protrusions extending into the cavity to define a pivotable axis. The tongue includes a bore that receives the protrusions of the adjacent module in the chain. The flanges each include a peg extending into the cavity. The pegs are received in slots formed in the tongue and will slide within the slots during pivoting. The pegs and slots define the degree of pivoting permitted between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a contact tip having an bore extending therethrough and a consumable weld wire. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the contact tip being is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the weld wire. The bore having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape and the weld wire having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a contact tip, a diffusor, an insert, and an gooseneck, and the contact tip has a convex end that contacts a concave end of the insert, and the insert has an opposite end in contact with the gooseneck. The contact tip is threaded into the diffusor at one end of the diffusor, and the gooseneck is threaded into the diffusor at the opposite end of the diffusor, and the insert is disposed within the diffusor and between the contact tip and the gooseneck, such that a conductive path exists between the gooseneck, the insert, and the contact tip. The contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by the diffuser constructed of a dissimilar material.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a weld gun nozzle includes a guide module and a reaming module. The guide module includes a holder assembly that includes a plurality of elongate skid bars. The reaming module includes a rotatable reamer. The skid bars are generally non-rotatable and define an opening into which the weld gun nozzle can be inserted to align the nozzle with the rotatable reamer. The nozzle is guided by the skid bars and inserted over the reamer, which rotates within the nozzle to clean debris from the nozzle. The skid bars are non-rotatable, and can be installed within the holder assembly to be resiliently move radially inward and outward to accommodate the nozzle during insertion.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a chamber between the diffuser sleeve and the insert which allows for cooling the insert and for controlling the flow of gas through the end assembly. Some of the components of the end assembly such as the contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by a diffuser sleeve constructed of a non-conductive material. The end assembly provides better conductivity of the current through the end assembly for use of less energy during welding.

Abstract: A wire guide module for guiding and changing the direction of wire in a wire dispensing system. The wire guide module having an inner passageway with rollers. The rollers adjacent the inner passageway assist the wire in moving smoothly through the wire guide module as the shape of the inner passageway changing the direction of movement of the wire. A wire dispensing system having wire guide modules with rollers which change the direction of the wire while reducing damage to the wire.

Abstract: A dry ice blast cleaning system is disclosed. The system includes a dry ice feed apparatus, a mixing head, a supply of pressurized gas and a dispensing device. The apparatus has a hopper configured to store a supply of dry ice pieces with an anti-bridging device. A heat by-pass system is provided to heat the mixing head to prevent icing in the mixing head.

Abstract: A conduit constructed from a coiled wire having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A flexible wire guide conduit includes a plurality of modules that can be chained together and can pivot and rotate relative to each other. Each module is formed of two halves that are generally mirrors of each other across a mating plane between the halves. Each module includes an upper flange and a lower flange defining a receiving cavity. Each module includes a tongue member sized to correspond to the cavity that is received in the receiving cavity. The flanges include protrusions extending into the cavity to define a pivotable axis. The tongue includes a bore that receives the protrusions of the adjacent module in the chain. The flanges each include a peg extending into the cavity. The pegs are received in slots formed in the tongue and will slide within the slots during pivoting. The pegs and slots define the degree of pivoting permitted between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a weld gun nozzle includes a guide module and a reaming module. The guide module includes a holder assembly that includes a plurality of elongate skid bars. The reaming module includes a rotatable reamer. The skid bars are generally non-rotatable and define an opening into which the weld gun nozzle can be inserted to align the nozzle with the rotatable reamer. The nozzle is guided by the skid bars and inserted over the reamer, which rotates within the nozzle to clean debris from the nozzle. The skid bars are non-rotatable, and can be installed within the holder assembly to be resiliently move radially inward and outward to accommodate the nozzle during insertion.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a contact tip, a diffusor, an insert, and an gooseneck, and the contact tip has a convex end that contacts a concave end of the insert, and the insert has an opposite end in contact with the gooseneck. The contact tip is threaded into the diffusor at one end of the diffusor, and the gooseneck is threaded into the diffusor at the opposite end of the diffusor, and the insert is disposed within the diffusor and between the contact tip and the gooseneck, such that a conductive path exists between the gooseneck, the insert, and the contact tip. The contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by the diffuser constructed of a dissimilar material.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a contact tip having an bore extending therethrough and a consumable weld wire. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the contact tip being is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the weld wire. The bore having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape and the weld wire having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a chamber between the diffuser sleeve and the insert which allows for cooling the insert and for controlling the flow of gas through the end assembly. Some of the components of the end assembly such as the contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by a diffuser sleeve constructed of a dissimilar material. The end assembly provides better conductivity of the current through the end assembly for use of less energy during welding.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a chamber between the diffuser sleeve and the insert which allows for cooling the insert and for controlling the flow of gas through the end assembly. Some of the components of the end assembly such as the contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by a diffuser sleeve constructed of a non-conductive material. The end assembly provides better conductivity of the current through the end assembly for use of less energy during welding.

Abstract: A conduit constructed from a coiled wire having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A ring suitable for riding upon a coil of wire is provided. The ring includes a substantially planar member extending between an inner edge defining a central aperture and an outer edge, the member including a substantially planar portion that extends radially inwardly of the outer edge and toward the inner edge, and a upwardly extending central portion that extends from the planar portion to the inner edge. The substantially planar portion includes a top surface that faces away from a top surface of a coil of wire when the member rests thereupon and an opposite bottom surface that faces toward a top surface of the coil of wire when the member rests thereupon, the bottom surface of the substantially planar portion includes a plurality of projections that extend therefrom away from the bottom surface.

Abstract: A conduit constructed from a coiled wire having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a contact tip having an bore extending therethrough and a consumable weld wire. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the contact tip being is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the weld wire. The bore having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape and the weld wire having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a contact tip having an bore extending therethrough and a consumable weld wire. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the contact tip being is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the weld wire. The bore having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape and the weld wire having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape.