Welding Patents (Class 219/136)
  • Publication number: 20030201263
    Abstract: In the present invention, an iron based alloy which contains by mass %: 0.20% or less of C; 6.0 to 16.0% of Cr; 6.0 to 16.0% of Ni and whose martensitic transformation starting temperature (Ms point temperature) is in the range of 0-170° C., inclusive of 0° C. and exclusive of 170° C., is used as a welding material. With respect to a weld metal, the weld metal has a iron alloy composition which contains by mass %: 0.20% or less of C; 3.0 to 13.0% of Cr; 3.0 to 13.0% of Ni and whose martensitic transformation starting temperature (Ms point temperature) is in the range of 50-360° C., inclusive of both 50° C. and 360° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicants: KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR METALS
    Inventors: Yasushi Morikage, Takahiro Kubo, Koich Yasuda, Keniti Amano, Kazuo Hiraoka, Akihiko Ohta, Chiaki Shiga
  • Patent number: 6635842
    Abstract: The invention relates to electric arc processes particularly for underwater use. Electric arc processes effected under water ordinarily operate at a voltage of 20 or 30 volts, with an open circuit of e.g. 50 volts, and are at a level that does not pose a serious risk to the diver. Such as plasma arc cutting has typical voltages of 100-200 volts, and an open circuit voltage of 200-400 volts, and can put a diver at considerable risk of electric shocks at a level that can be life threatening. The object of the invention is to avoid such risks, an objective met by electric arc equipment comprising an earthed safety electrode strategically positioned close to the torch of the electric arc equipment, to create the closest earth to which current could flow, but without the striking of an arc between a torch electrode and the earthed safety electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Goodwin Air Plasma Limited
    Inventor: David E Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6627848
    Abstract: A guide device for an electric arc torch having an insulator surrounding a contact tip through which a welding wire extends includes a sleeve having a first end for receiving the insulator and a second end through which the welding wire extends and which second end includes an edge and/or rib for engaging a workpiece and spacing the contact tip therefrom and an opening for viewing the wire, arc and weld puddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Boehnlein
  • Publication number: 20030178393
    Abstract: The purpose of the Tig Finger Eliminator is to eliminate the use of the welder's finger in all position of welding. It will allow your hand to be more stable, as well as lessen the friction on your wrist and shoulders. It will also eliminate the changing of gas cup when welding a root, hot filler, or a cap on heavy wall pipes. It takes all the work out of walking the cup in all positions. It gives you a maximum gas coverage and heat flow. It will also speed up your welding time. It also lessens tungsten electrodes contaminations. The Eliminator will come in two sizes to fit the wp26-F and the WP17-finger tig torches. It is made of Velcro straps, which is connected to the handle base plate, with rivets. The base handle plate is welded to the base extension, The base extension is connected to the ball unit by a weld. The ball unit has a ball at the tip, which has a spring to allow pressure on the ball. To use the Eliminator, attach it to the handle of the tig torch with the Velcro straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Gerald Christopher Romar
  • Patent number: 6621051
    Abstract: A MIG welding torch reconditioning apparatus has a pneumatic supply line, vent means and a mechanical transmission shaft. The pneumatic supply line supplies air to the vent means for venting a directed debris-scattering air-flow against the transmission shaft proximal to exposed seals thereon. In another aspect, the apparatus has an in-line, direct-drive arrangement of a motor, a mechanical transmission shaft, and chuck means for receiving a reaming tool. Pneumatic lift means lifts the direct-drive arrangement into reaming tool engagement with the gas shield of a torch wherein the tool is operable to remove at least some of any back-splash deposits laid down on interior surfaces of the gas shield. A clamp is also provided for engaging a cylindrical body, such as a torch. The clamp includes a pair of generally orthogonally-offset faces of a “V”-block and respective gripping surfaces on gripping surface members of a pair of opposed jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Tweco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Robert Simond
  • Patent number: 6610962
    Abstract: A welding method that enables the joining of at least two dissimilar, metallic alloys to form a weld that is free of cracks is disclosed. The method incorporates a pure (99.00% minimum by weight) nickel fill-wire, integrally assembled into the joint between the two alloyed metals to be joined. The alloys joined by this method are an iron-based, low expansivity, gamma-prime strengthened superalloy (i.e., Incoloy®) and a high carbon, powder metallurgical tool steel high in refractory metal alloying agents (i.e., CPM REX 20). Welding of the joint results in the formation of a nickel rich region within the weld, thus “inoculating” the weld against cracks. The weld joint formed by the method of the present invention can be used in the fabrication of a rotating anode bearing shaft assembly for use in an x-ray generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Warren, Paul Neitzke, Craig Higgins
  • Patent number: 6610963
    Abstract: The attachment provides an overhandle, which overlies the handle of the torch, thereby creating a tapering space. The welder places the first web area of the hand into the space, whereupon the connection between the hand and the torch is made more secure. The welder can manipulate the torch, without the need to exert a constant tight gripping force on the torch. The attachment includes side-cheeks which provide even more of a constraining connection between the hand and the torch. The attachment is adjustable as to position and angle with respect to the torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Zamuner
  • Publication number: 20030155339
    Abstract: A portable and fully integrated welder and compressor combination includes a housing having an engine, electrical current generating alternator, and a belt-driven screw air compressor. The engine is configured to drive the generator directly, and a pulley arrangement is provided on the engine to drive the belt-driven screw air compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph C. Gitter, Herbert A. Bankstahl
  • Publication number: 20030136773
    Abstract: A drawer or other movable storage compartment disposed inside of a welding-type power supply for storing accessories used in welding, plasma cutting and induction heating applications is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Edwin Bogner, Michael A. Sammons, Ronald W. Colling
  • Patent number: 6596972
    Abstract: A welding accessory system for a welder that includes a welder having a welder housing and at least one welding accessory support connected to the welder housing to support at least one welding accessory of a welder. The one or more welding accessory supports include a cable holder, an electrode holder, a cooling fluid holder, a cylinder gas holder, a cable connector box, and/or a tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Ignatius L. Di Novo, Ralph Samodell, Don Hohman
  • Patent number: 6590184
    Abstract: A welding machine includes a housing having a base and a slidable rack assembly to support a gas cylinder. The rack assembly is slidably coupled to the base of the housing to move between open and closed positions. In a closed position, the rack assembly is concealed underneath the housing and in the open position the rack assembly is extended outwardly from the base to support the gas cylinder. A plurality of wheels is provided to support transportability of the welding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan P. Andersen
  • Patent number: 6541735
    Abstract: A welding method that enables the joining of at least two dissimilar, metallic alloys to form a weld that is free of cracks is disclosed. The method incorporates a pure (99.00% minimum by weight) nickel fill-wire, integrally assembled into the joint between the two alloyed metals to be joined. The alloys joined by this method are an iron-based, low expansivity, gamma-prime strengthened superalloy (i.e., Incoloy®) and a high carbon, powder metallurgical tool steel high in refractory metal alloying agents (i.e., CPM REX 20). Welding of the joint results in the formation of a nickel rich region within the weld, thus “inoculating” the weld against cracks. The weld joint formed by the method of the present invention can be used in the fabrication of a rotating anode bearing shaft assembly for use in an x-ray generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventors: John Warren, Paul Neitzke, Craig Higgins
  • Patent number: 6528764
    Abstract: An oven for drying welding rods that are used on electric welding equipment includes an inner oven space and an outer annular hot gas flow space around the inner oven space, the inner space being sufficiently large to accept a conventional cylindrical metal can of welding rods, adapted for feeding the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space and for opening and closing the inner oven space for inserting and removing the can of welding rods therefrom and a for controlling the flow of the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space so that the heat flow to the conventional can of welding rods inserted into the inner oven space is modulated and is sufficient to dry the rods by heat from the engine hot exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Podgurski
  • Publication number: 20030033052
    Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Edward Dennis Hillen, George Daryl Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20030024917
    Abstract: A cleaning system process and apparatus for welding torches performs the cleaning by subjecting the welding torch, including the weld tip, nozzle and gas diffusers, to cooling. The cooling provides a temperature shock sufficient to loosen the weld spatter from the torch. In one embodiment the loosened spatter may then be carried away from the torch by either or both of positive or negative fluid pressure, for example an air blast or a vacuum line, respectively. The cooling may be done by subjecting the torch to a pressurized flow of coolant medium such as dry ice pellets or the like. The system may further cleanse the torch with an anti-spatter compound which can be applied by mixture with the coolant medium if desired. The cleaning system process is thorough, quick, subjects the torch to little stress, and improves performance of the nozzle including operation time between cleanings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Friedolin Thielmann
  • Patent number: 6486439
    Abstract: A welding and network information system and methodology is provided in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Theresa M. Spear, George Daryl Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6479795
    Abstract: A modular portable welding wire feeder housed in an instrument case and a method of modifying an instrument case to house a welding wire feeder are disclosed. The modular portable wire feeder includes a chassis assembly conveniently mounted inside of the instrument case housing. The instrument case includes welding input interfaces disposed to receive welding inputs and welding output interfaces disposed to provide welding outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Albrecht, Donald R. Keddell, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 6469277
    Abstract: A hybrid welding from a combination of laser beam welding with gas-shielded welding by electric arc uses at least two electrodes are used. The electrodes can be flooded by a common shielding gas curtain or separately or in groups. The hybrid welding increases the possibility of influencing the welding process and especially provides improved possibilities for automation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Linde Gas Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Trube, Ernst Miklos, Jürgen Scholz
  • Patent number: 6444951
    Abstract: A welding rod extender is provided for extending an arc welding rod. The welding rod extender comprises an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for connection with an electrode holder. A housing is provided having a first connecting end shaped for receiving the second end of the elongated member. The housing includes a tip having an opening shaped for receiving a welding rod. A collet is provided for connecting the receiver and the tip to the welding rod. Turning the tip in a first direction tightens the collet onto the welding rod and turning the tip in a second direction allows removal of the welding rod. The welding rod extender is provided that can easily be manipulated to reach a work piece which may not be easily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Newport News Shipbuilding
    Inventors: Gerald E. Paxton, George I. Sporbert, Gregory L. Charron, Nathan R. Hord, Fulton L. Purdy
  • Publication number: 20020117490
    Abstract: A MIG welding torch reconditioning apparatus has a pneumatic supply line, vent means and a mechanical transmission shaft. The pneumatic supply line supplies air to the vent means for venting a directed debris-scattering air-flow against the transmission shaft proximal to exposed seals thereon. In another aspect, the apparatus has an in-line, direct-drive arrangement of a motor, a mechanical transmission shaft, and chuck means for receiving a reaming tool. Pneumatic lift means lifts the direct-drive arrangement into reaming tool engagement with the gas shield of a torch wherein the tool is operable to remove at least some of any back-splash deposits laid down on interior surfaces of the gas shield. A clamp is also provided for engaging a cylindrical body, such as a torch. The clamp includes a pair of generally orthogonally-offset faces of a “V”-block and respective gripping surfaces on gripping surface members of a pair of opposed jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Tweco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Robert Simond
  • Patent number: 6417489
    Abstract: A welding wire for use in electric arc welding and method of making same, wherein the wire has an effective outer diameter and comprises a length of solid metal formed into a series of distinct segments each having a selected volume and joined together by interconnecting bridging elements with the cross sectional area of the solid metal at said segments being greater than the cross sectional area of the solid metal at the bridging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Blankenship, Edward A. Enyedy
  • Patent number: 6414268
    Abstract: The support or body (23) of a welding gun is made of a material highly resistant to heat and a dielectric or insulator, as well as being resistant to impact, thereby preventing the possibility of shorting internally. The gun tube (22) is of solid copper to reduce its electrical resistance and the build-up of heat when high currents are flowing, being capable of working with currents up to 400 Amperes without cooling. Externally the body of the gun (23) is fitted with a nylon washer (20) to optimise adaptation to the supporting holder in the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: AP Amortiguadores, S.A.
    Inventors: Joaquin Equiza Equiza, Ramón Gorriz Elia
  • Publication number: 20020079300
    Abstract: Various methods, systems and products are disclosed for providing an improved welding system which substantially improves the continuous operation of an automated welding system by increasing the amount of time between maintenance shutdowns. One of the disclosed method steps or system elements provides for dipping a welding nozzle [28 or 28a] and a portion of its related diffuser into a bath [12 or 12a] of fluid each time the automated welding system moves through a welding cycle. A product is also disclosed to best accomplish that step or element. Another method step or system element may include the removal of spatter accumulation via an electromagnetic field that magnetically pulls the spatter without direct contact with the nozzle or diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: WELD AID, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Lee Baum, Anthony John Zaccagni
  • Patent number: 6399917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconditioning a MIG welding torch of the type having a gas shield through which gas is exhausted from the torch comprises inserting a reaming tool within an opening of the gas shield. The reaming tool is moved relative to the gas shield within the opening into contact with deposits adhered to the gas shield within the opening. An impact force is applied through the reaming tool against the deposits in the event that movement of the reaming tool relative to the gas shield is substantially inhibited by any of the deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Tweco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Robert Simond
  • Publication number: 20020053561
    Abstract: An electromagnetic weld spatter removal device wherein a single control and power source may be utilized to fire multiple electromagnetic coils, thereby producing a cost savings. A first embodiment of the invention includes a contactor switch mechanism, a control mechanism, at least two contactors, and at least two electromagnetic coils for removing weld spatter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Baum
  • Patent number: 6369357
    Abstract: Various methods, systems and products are disclosed for providing an improved welding system which substantially improves the continuous operation of an automated welding system by increasing the amount of time between maintenance shutdowns. One of the disclosed method steps or system elements provides for dipping a welding nozzle [28 or 28a] and a portion of its related diffuser into a bath [12 or 12a] of fluid each time the automated welding system moves through a welding cycle. A product is also disclosed to best accomplish that step or element. Another method step or system element may include the removal of spatter accumulation via an electromagnetic field that magnetically pulls the spatter without direct contact with the nozzle or diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Weld Aid Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lee Baum, Anthony John Zaccagni
  • Publication number: 20020038796
    Abstract: A dual purpose welding clamp (20) includes a spring clamp (22) having upper and lower jaws. An upper conductor (30) is connected to the upper jaw, and a lower conductor (32) is connected to the lower jaw. The upper (30) and lower (32) conductors may be clamped about an object (502) to be welded. Alternatively, a magnet (26) and magnet housing (24) may be magnetically connected to a magnetic object (500) to be welded. A spring loaded terminal (38), which abuts the magnetic object (500) being welded is connected to lower conductor (32). In a second embodiment of welding clamp (120), spring loaded terminal (138) is disposed in a hole (125) in magnet (126).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond Leon
  • Publication number: 20020005393
    Abstract: A Multi-Electrode Welding System for performing high-precision welding and joining is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises a sealed chamber (13) which is enclosed by a weld head frame (11), a removable lid (12) and a chamber base (14). A generally tubular workpiece (not shown) is placed in a pair of semi-annular inserts (16) and extends into the sealed chamber (13), which is filled with an inert gas. In one embodiment, a weld head rotor (18) revolves around the longitudinal axis defined by the workpiece, and controls the motion of an inside electrode (24A) and an outside electrode (24B), which are held by inside and outside electrode holders (20 & 22). Arc welding is performed by the electrodes (24A & 24B) as they revolve around the workpiece. Inside and outside welding may be performed simultaneously. The invention provides for precise control of the relative position of the electrodes, allowing one electrode to trail the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: RODERICK G. ROHRBERG
  • Publication number: 20020003134
    Abstract: An oven for drying welding rods that are used on electric welding equipment includes an inner oven space and an outer annular hot gas flow space around the inner oven space, the inner space being sufficiently large to accept a conventional cylindrical metal can of welding rods, adapted for feeding the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space and for opening and closing the inner oven space for inserting and removing the can of welding rods therefrom and a for controlling the flow of the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space so that the heat flow to the conventional can of welding rods inserted into the inner oven space is modulated and is sufficient to dry the rods by heat from the engine hot exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Podgurski
  • Patent number: 6335513
    Abstract: An electromagnetic weld spatter removal device wherein a single control and power source may be utilized to fire multiple electromagnetic coils, thereby producing a cost savings. A first embodiment of the invention includes a contactor switch mechanism, a control mechanism, at least two contactors, and at least two electromagnetic coils for removing weld spatter. There is also disclosed a method for removing weld spatter using multiple electromagnetic coils for multiple welding stations. In a second embodiment there is disclosed a single enclosure housing the power supply, control logic board, at least two SCRs connected to at least two coils for the removal of weld spatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Weld-Aid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary S Baum
  • Patent number: 6331688
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of a pre-alloyed atomised powder in combination with at least one melting electrode wire in the SAW method. The electrode wire is an unalloyed or low-alloy metal wire and the metal powder is a metal powder containing a higher percentage of alloying elements than the electrode wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Höganás AB
    Inventors: Hans Hallén, Karl-Erik Johansson
  • Publication number: 20010050273
    Abstract: Hybrid welding process using a laser beam and an electric arc to produce a weld bead. The electric arc is established between an electrode connected to a first pole of a current source and at least one workpiece to be welded and connected to a second pole of a current source via at least one electrically conducting earth contactor in contact with the workpiece to be welded. To obtain effective welding, a contact is made between the earth contactor and the workpiece to be welded laterally and/or upstream of the point of impingement of the electric arc on the workpiece(s) to be welded, and considering the direction of formation of the welded joint, so as to balance the forces associated with the induced electromagnetic field acting on the puddle of liquid metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide and La Soudure Autogene Francaise
    Inventors: Philippe Lefebvre, Jean-Marie Fortain, Christian Bonnet
  • Patent number: 6303904
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a weld material which contains 8 to 13% Cr, and can be used with the GMA welding method, a GMA welding method which has superior arc stability and can provide a welded material having superior properties, and a welded structure; in order to attain this object, a weld material is provided, which contains in weight, 0.01 to 0.15% C, 0.1 to 0.6% Si, 0.1 to 2.0% Mn, 8 to 13% Cr, 0.1 to 1.5% Ni, 0.3 to 2.0% Mo, 0.05 to 0.5% V, 0.08 to 0.5% W, 0.5 to 5.0% Co, 0.1 to 0.5% Ta, ≦0.08 N, 0.01 to 0.1% REMs, and consisting of the balance Fe with inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nippon Welding Rod Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Iwatsubo, Toshimitsu Tetsui, Takayuki Kawano, Hideharu Kobayashi, Youzaburo Mabuchi, Hiroshi Tsurusaki, Tamao Takatsu, Teiichiro Saito, Takashi Inami
  • Publication number: 20010025837
    Abstract: The attachment provides an overhandle, which overlies the handle of the torch, thereby creating a tapering space. The welder places the first web area of the hand into the space, whereupon the connection between the hand and the torch is made more secure. The welder can manipulate the torch, without the need to exert a constant tight gripping force on the torch. The attachment includes side-cheeks which provide even more of a constraining connection between the hand and the torch. The attachment is adjustable as to position and angle with respect to the torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Frank Zamuner
  • Patent number: 6281462
    Abstract: There is developed a burr processing apparatus in which a discharge electrode is moved along a peripheral edge of the processed material, the burr is processed in an entire uniform manner and concurrently the arc discharge is performed stably and a long life of the electrode is attained. The burr processing apparatus of the present invention is made such that the discharge electrode 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a sectional shape gradually narrowed toward the extremity end and having a specified width in a lateral direction, the discharge electrode 20 is kept at a height suitable for the arc discharge, the case 30 is arranged to cover the electrode, the handle 40 is connected to the case 30 to be moved manually and a power supply for the arc discharging is connected to the discharge electrode 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Saburo Iiyama, Kazuomi Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 6271495
    Abstract: A diffuser assembly is provided for narrow groove welding using an automatic gas tungsten arc welding torch. The diffuser assembly includes a manifold adapted for adjustable mounting on the welding torch which is received in a central opening in the manifold. Laterally extending manifold sections communicate with a shield gas inlet such that shield gas supplied to the inlet passes to gas passages of the manifold sections. First and second tapered diffusers are respectively connected to the manifold sections in fluid communication with the gas passages thereof. The diffusers extend downwardly along the torch electrode on opposite sides thereof so as to release shield gas along the length of the electrode and at the distal tip of the electrode. The diffusers are of a transverse width which is on the order of the thickness of the electrode so that the diffusers can, in use, be inserted into a narrow welding groove before and after the electrode in the direction of the weld operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Stephen J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 6267291
    Abstract: Information pertaining to characteristics of metal welding electrode wire and which characteristics are useful in connection with adjusting welding parameters in an arc welding process and/or selecting between operating modes in a welding system are encoded on welding wire and/or on other memory components such as bar code labels and tags, RFID cards and tags, IC cards, and Touch Memory buttons, and the memory device is scanned prior to and/or at the point of use of the welding wire for enabling tracking of product distribution, manual and/or automatic selection of an operating mode for the welding system, manual and/or automatic adjustment of welding parameters in a given operating mode, consumables inventory, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Blankenship, Christopher Hsu
  • Patent number: 6265701
    Abstract: A method and system for system for welding a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece is preheated while the weld is being performed. The preheating is performed fast enough that it can be done on-the fly-immediately in advance of the weld. The preheating is preferably accomplished with an induction heating system. The induction coil is mounted with the welding torch such that as the torch is moved along the weld path, the coil precedes it, preheating the weld path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David Bickel, Mark Ulrich, Donald Wiseman
  • Patent number: 6248977
    Abstract: A welding torch flash shield is used with a welding torch to protect the eyes of personnel working near the welding torch. The torch flash shield is comprised of a flexible elongated sleeve having a first open end provided distal from a second open end. The first open end is configured to seat about a periphery of the nozzle end such that the sleeve extends from the nozzle end shrouding a welding wire of the welding torch. A retainer is configured to couple the flexible elongated sleeve to the periphery of the nozzle end. In addition, the second end flexes or flares to permit contact between the welding wire and a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bessler, James D. Cunningham, Gerald M. Ertel, Tammy J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6207921
    Abstract: A welding (10) for use with gas metal arc welding wherein the welding head (10) has a diffuser body (16) with an inlet end (28) and an outlet end (38). A welding tip (14) is axially located within the diffuser body (16) and extends axially beyond the outlet end (38). The diffuser body (16) has a gas outlet (37) and a gas inlet (34), and there is at least one gas channel (36) operatively connecting the gas inlet (34) and the gas outlet (37). One or more diffusing lenses (20) are provided between the gas outlet (37) and the outlet end (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Richard John Hanna
  • Patent number: 6204477
    Abstract: A method for applying a stainless steel weld overlay on a substrate, e.g., a carbon steel or low alloy steel, uses an arc welding process. The process includes welding a stainless steel weld overlay onto the substrate using a shielding gas mixture including greater than 2% nitrogen by volume with balance being an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases. The nitrogen is of a sufficient concentration so as to eliminate solidification cracking in the weld overlay. In addition, the nitrogen may help to eliminate a mismatch in me coefficient of thermal expansion between the weld overlay and the substrate. Furthermore, if the weld overlay comprises only a single layer, the nitrogen concentration in the shielding gas mixture may be less than 2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: WSI Welding Services, Inc.
    Inventor: George Ying-Dean Lai
  • Publication number: 20010000009
    Abstract: A shunt controlled welding machine has a regulator handle and a scale that indicates output amperage on the same panel of the welding machine case. The handle attaches to a shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation to move a shunt into and out of a transformer. The handle is part of a planocentric gear. Teeth on an indicator mesh with teeth on a pinion that is fixed to the case panel. By turning the handle, the indicator orbits and slowly revolves about the shaft axis of rotation. The indicator has a pointer that indicates the welding machine output amperage on the scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: March 15, 2001
    Inventor: Mark E. Peters
  • Patent number: 6200519
    Abstract: The invention concerns a welding torch with a contact socket and a feed device. The feed device is arranged to hold a welding rod and guides the welding rod obliquely relative to a bore in the contact socket such that an outer surface of the welding rod abuts a defined inner surface of the bore at least over a partial region of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fronius Schweissmaschinen Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Wimroither
  • Patent number: 6191378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a welding apparatus, that includes a welding machine (1), shielding gas unit (4) and a nozzle part (3), that is connected to the welding machine (1). The welding rod (L), that is led to the welding point from the shielding gas unit (4), is arranged to be melted while being protected by the shielding gas in connection with the nozzle part (3) by means of an arc achieved by influence of the supply unit (1b) for welding current. To improve fire safety of the welding occasion, the welding apparatus includes furthermore a coupling arrangement (X), that comprises furthermore organs (X2), that are arranged to interrupt at least supply of welding current to the nozzle part (3) and to lead shielding gas to the point exposed for fire or that is burning through the nozzle part (3) at an essentially increased volume flow rate in respect to the welding occasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Asko Taipale Oy
    Inventor: Asko Taipale
  • Patent number: 6172320
    Abstract: An improved method for welding and passivation forms a chromium oxide passivated film over the welded portion during the welding process. In a shielding step, a backshield gas, preferably argon, is flowed around the welding site. In a welding step, an arc gas, preferably argon with approximately 10% hydrogen and less than 1 ppm moisture content, is flowed through the welding head and a welded joint is formed, for example by high speed tungsten-inert gas (TIG) orbital welding. In the passivation step, a process gas, preferably argon with approximately 30-100 ppm of oxygen and less than 1 ppm moisture content, and preferably less than 1 ppb moisture content, is flowed over the welded portion to form a chromium oxide passivated film on the welded portion. The process gas is passed through a gas purifier prior to being flowed over the welded portion to maintain its moisture level at less than 1 ppb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ultra Clean Technology Systems and Services Inc.
    Inventors: Sowmya Krishnan, Tadahiro Ohmi
  • Patent number: 6137081
    Abstract: A welding wire for use in electric arc welding and method of making same, wherein the wire has an effective outer diameter and comprises a length of solid metal formed into a series of distinct segments each having a selected volume and having a narrow region and non-narrow region with the cross sectional area of the solid metal at said non-narrow region being greater than the cross sectional area of the solid metal at the narrow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Blankenship, Edward A. Enyedy
  • Patent number: 6137079
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric arc welding torch comprising a torch body having an electrode holder (3) and a nozzle (4), said nozzle (4) being formed with at least one nozzle partition (2) having an internal surface (2a) and an external surface (2b), characterized in that at least one supplemental partition (8) extends along at least one portion of the internal surface (2a) and/or external surface (2b) of the nozzle partition (2), in that one of said partitions (2, 8) is electrically conductive and in that the other of said partitions (2, 8) is electrically insulating and the use of such a torch in an electric arc welding or cutting process under a protective gas, particularly a TIG, MIG or MAG welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignees: La Soudure Autogene Francaise, Sauvageau Commercy Soudure
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Vincent, Francis Briand
  • Patent number: 6118098
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for repairing damaged or worn surfaces of turbine components or upgrading older designs to new, improved designs. This improved method applies to both high pressure and low pressure turbine components applications. This method includes depositing a plurality of individual spaced apart weld volumes onto a prepared surface of a turbine rotor. These individual spaced apart weld volumes form individual fingers without the need to machine the individual fingers from a single rectangular weld volume. Multiple weld volumes are formed concurrently with a space maintain between each weld volume using multiple torches without the problems normally associated with closely spaced welding arcs. Each individual spaced apart weld volume is formed by a plurality of layers of weld metal, with each layer being formed from a single oscillating weld bead to form a predetermined width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Ray Amos, Kent Wixon Beedon
  • Patent number: 6103997
    Abstract: A high hardness flux cored wire for welding cold rolled metals is provided. The wire comprises a powdered flux containing a flux core powder wrapped by a low carbon steel sheet. The sheet is formed into a cylindrical structure, which is then extruded and drawn into the finished flux cored wire. The flux cored wire is used for welding cold rolled metals, and provides for strong welds having hardnesses in the range of HRC 62-69. The improved wire is inexpensive and easily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Guoxi Pan
  • Patent number: 6075226
    Abstract: A portable oven for holding shielded metal arc welding electrodes prior to their use. The holding oven utilizes the heated exhaust gases of a welding machine engine to maintain welding electrodes at an elevated temperature to prevent the absorption of moisture, which would adversely affect the quality of welds. The holding oven includes an insulated outer housing, which is positioned on or near an engine-driven welding machine. An interior rack for the electrodes is mounted in the upper portion of the housing and is accessible through a hinged door. A heat exchanger in the lower part of the housing is coupled to the exhaust pipe of the welding machine and radiates the exhaust heat into the interior of the housing before transferring the exhaust gases to a directional exhaust port. The holding oven may include means for measuring and regulating the interior temperature of the housing to keep the electrodes within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Daniel J. Kishbaugh