Abstract: A purge unit is provided for establishing an enclosed zone around a weld area to receive an inert gas. The purge unit is particularly useful when a branch pipe is to be affixed to a main pipe or a header. The purge unit is inserted into an opening in the header through the branch pipe or connection and is then expanded to establish the enclosed zone around the inside of the weld area. An inert gas is then supplied to the unit into the zone to cover or blanket the inside of the weld area. After the weld is complete, the purge unit is collapsed and withdrawn through the opening and through the branch connection so as not to leave any material within the main pipe which could cause contamination.

Abstract: Noise, fuels and potentially dangerous light emissions generated by a plasma-arc cutting operation are suppressed by carrying out the operation with a solid layer of water surrounding the space between the hot effluent discharge of the torch and the workpiece. To localize the layer of water immediately under the discharge nozzle of the torch, a jacket is provided around the lower end of the torch which continually is receiving and discharging water through a skirt guidance member depending from the jacket thus providing a contained volume of moving water around the space involved which immerses the end of the nozzle. A water layer is also provided under the workpiece which receives water leaking around the skirt member and through the kerf created by the torch under its nozzle. Water from under the workpiece is circulated through a separator to remove unwanted materials introduced by the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method for producing a rotor made from discs joined together in succession in side-by-side relation by welding comprises the steps of assembling each rotor disc and the succeeding disc next to be joined such that their axes are in horizontal alignment, pressing the two discs together thereby to place their interfaces under axial pressure, pre-heating each two discs to be joined to the proper working temperature, joining the discs by welding in a circumferentially extending welding seam while maintaining the pressure, repeating the assembling, pre-heating and welding operations until all of the discs have been welded together to establish the complete rotor, thereafter heat-treating the completed rotor, and finally subjecting the completed rotor to a hot true-running test. All of these operations take place within a common heating box into which hot air is introduced to effect the heating.

Abstract: Applicant's invention relates to a new and novel concept in underwater cutting of metals and nonmetals. It utilizes a binary metallic system in conjunction with an ionized gaseous cone to provide a continuous cutting action of high temperature, extreme power, and with great intensity.

Abstract: According to the method and apparatus of this invention, water is kept away from the arc in underwater arc welding by means of material contained in a water-tight enclosure. The water-tight enclosure is formed by pressing the seal at the bottom of the enclosure against the object to be welded and by closing the opening for the electrode on top of the enclosure by using the fluid nature of a viscous polymer. Gas generated in the enclosure during welding is expelled through check valves located along two longitudinal sides of the enclosure.The enclosure is prepared above the water surface and then delivered to the welding site. No inert gas is needed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacing a fluid-tight passage along a pre-determined rectilinear path on a wall separating two media, the device comprising: a flexible coupling adapted to be opened and closed longitudinally by progressive deformation and covering the rectilinear path, the coupling being constituted by an assembly of two identical L-shaped bands each having two faces perpendicular to each other, applied against each other by one face along a plane perpendicular to the wall and applied against said wall by their other faces arranged in line with each other, a chamber comprising a mobile fluid-tight passage on said flexible coupling, astride the assembly of the two faces of the bands applied against each other and inside which the coupling is opened and then re-closed; the chamber is not directly supported on the wall and its fluid-tightness is maintained during its displacement on the coupling, means being provided for opening and closing said coupling inside the chamber and for displa

Abstract: A process for arc welding in an underwater environment wherein a welding chamber is positioned adjacent a workpiece and an arc welding torch is positioned therein. A gas under pressure is introduced into the chamber to displace the water and a gas is supplied to the torch at a pressure greater than the pressure of the gas in the chamber.

Abstract: A housing chamber for use in underwater arc welding is constructed in the form of a portable hollow cylinder open at one end and having a side opening in which is movably mounted a welding gun for effecting a welding operation on a workpiece through the open end. The interior of the housing chamber is illuminated and a viewing plate slanted relative to the axis of the cylinder closes the other end. The chamber is provided with means for introducing gas under pressure to purge the chamber of water. An L-shaped vent tube adjacent the viewing facilitates purging the housing chamber of water. The vent tube is rotatably adjustable relative to the housing chamber to control the amount of gas discharged. A porous rubber gasket member is provided between the workpiece and the open end of the cylinder to permit escape of gas therethrough to facilitate relative movement between the cylinder and the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding torch for welding underwater and to a method of underwater welding using the welding torch. A high speed stream of water is directed from a nozzle on the welding torch obliquely onto a member or members to be welded to form a flared-out curtain of water. Gas is injected into the volume enclosed by the curtain of water to create a gaseous atmosphere and welding is carried out in the gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: A self-propelled arc welding device, which uses an inert gas within a primary zone to protect superheated metal from contact with atmospheric elements, is shielded with an outer compartment to protect against external air currents in the form of a portable shroud which closes off air currents along the work surface, at least partially. Particularly, for protecting girth welds in pipelines welded by a track-guided machine moving orbitally about the pipe, the compartment includes elements which make a substantially line contact with the pipe surface. The carriage which supports the welding device preferably carries the arc-enclosing shield. An observation window or opening for watching the arc is provided and free access to controls and adjustment means is permitted so that normal control operations are not hampered.

Abstract: A conventional stud-welding gun has been modified to allow it to be used for welding under water. The stud is contained within a water-tight enclosure formed at the end of the gun by pressing the seal at the end against the object to which the stud is to be welded. A water pump evacuates the enclosure and a stream of inert gas is provided to expel water and dry the region where the weld is to occur.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having a synthetic, thermoplastic substructure, a metallic plating on the external surface of the substructure, and a metallic stud joined to the article in contact with the plating, is adapted to be electrically welded to a metallic supporting structure, whether or not the surface of the structure to which the article is to be welded is coated with an electrically nonconductive material, and a sealing of the area of the structure adjacent the welded joint is effected during the welding operation, with the material forming the seal having derived from the body of the substructure.

Abstract: The method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention achieve the same working effect as grooving, drilling, cutting, and the like on a metal work by blowing off, with the use of a non-combustible jet gas, the molten metal heated and made molten by an electric arc. The atmosphere at the operating location where the electric arc and the jet gas are provided, is formed by a fluid atmosphere produced by the discharge of a non-combustible liquid. As a result, matters and substance such as dust particles, carbon monoxide, and the like existing around the operating location and serving to deteriorate the operating environment, are adsorbed and taken up by the fluid atmosphere for decreasing the amount of such matters and substance which are released to the operating environment surrounding the fluid atmosphere.