Abstract: An electron beam gun for operation from 100 to 200 kilovolts which includes means for maintaining the alignment and spacing of critical gun elements over the wide range of temperatures experienced during operation of the gun and which allows for ease in changing filaments and ease in dismantling the gun for servicing. Means are provided for the safe handling of the gun when this is requires while the gun is mounted on a machine. The gun is provided with a novel filament and cathode support cartridge assembly of simple design. A quick access door assembly allows quick and easy access to the guns internal parts and insures positive vacuum sealing.

Abstract: An improvement in high power electron beam guns including a non-inductive high-voltage cable for supplying power to the gun having barriers for preventing air leakage from inside the cable into the vacuum chamber. The gun includes a support for its cathode and filament, which transmits heat developed in these elements to a heat sink so that dimensional accuracy is maintained in the electron beam generating elements. Provision is made for quick release of cable terminations from the gun receptacle and for maintaining a given pressure in insulating grease placed between mating sufaces of plugs and receptacles.

Abstract: An optical system for use in an electron beam welding machine for viewing workpieces mounted within a vacuum chamber from a position outside the chamber, either before or during the welding operation. The optical system includes an automatic motorized means for adjusting the focus of the system to accommodate different electron beam gun to work distances, and simultaneously to automatically adjust the angle with respect to the axis of the electron beam along which the view of the area being welded is to be observed. A transparent disc, which may be rotated step by step about its central axis in approximately 30.degree. increments is mounted so that a portion of its surface near its periphery is interposed in the viewing path so as to shield the optical parts of the viewing system from the vapors and radiations which are generated during the electron beam welding process. A means for illuminating only the area on the work surface which is to be viewed is also provided with a similar shielding means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for practicing the gas tungsten arc welding process which includes means for rotating the welding torch continuously while welding. Means are provided for feeding the shielding gases, feed wire and electric current to the rotating torch while welding. Means are also provided for tilting the torch about the point of welding. This invention makes it possible to weld continuously along a spiral path about a cylindrical object or on a flat or irregular surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting the undeflected resting position of an electron beam which has been displaced from its previous resting position because of physical or positional changes in elements of the electron gun which is generating the electron beam. The electron beam is directed towards a detector which determines the direction and amplitude of the deviation along mutually perpendicular axes of the point of impingement of the electron beam from a given reference point. The signals generated by the detector, in cooperation with a computer-controlled deflection system of the electron gun, cause the beam to be displaced in a series of iterative steps to the reference point. The distance and direction of the beam from its resting position to the reference point is maintained in the memory of the computer.