Abstract: Electron beam welding apparatus, suitable as a mobile welding apparatus, having a solid dielectric insulator for the high voltage electrical conductors and also having liquid coolants for cooling the conductors and the insulator which are heated by the cathode. The apparatus also includes a valve for sealing the cathode and the anode in an outer housing in one position of the valve and for allowing the passage therethrough of an electron beam in another position of the valve and for providing precision television optical viewing of the welded seam. The apparatus also includes high-voltage connecting apparatus including a plug having a resilient tapered insulating member and a socket in the solid dielectric insulator, and having the shape of a tapered opening for the plug for exerting laterally compressive forces on the plug as the plug is inserted into the socket to avoid trapping air in the socket.

Abstract: An electron-beam welding apparatus includes a vacuum chamber and a gantry entirely within the chamber for adjustably supporting an electron-beam welding gun with x, y and z coordinates of adjustability with respect to mutually perpendicular x-, y- and z-axes within the chamber. The gantry includes apparatus telescoping along the z-axis for adjustably supporting the electron-beam welding gun with respect to the z-axis.