Abstract: A wear resistant multilayer overlay includes a first layer on at least a surface of an article, and a second layer metallurgically bonded to at least a portion of the first layer. The first layer includes a first continuous metallic matrix and at least one of first hard particles, blocky diamond particles, non-blocky diamond particles, TSP diamond, cubic boron nitride particles, and PCD compacts embedded in the first continuous metallic matrix, wherein the first hard particles are at least one of transition metal carbide particles and boron nitride particles. The second layer includes a second continuous metallic matrix and at least one of second hard particles, blocky diamond particles, non-blocky diamond particles, TSP diamond, cubic boron nitride particles, and PCD compacts, embedded in the second continuous metallic matrix, wherein the second hard particles are at least one of transition metal carbide particles and boron nitride particles. Related methods and articles of manufacture also are disclosed.

Abstract: Plasma arc torches described herein include a torch tip with an improved nozzle that provides angular shield flow injection. In particular, the nozzle provides angular/conical impingement of a fluid (e.g., a shield gas) on an ionized plasma gas flowing through a plasma arc torch. Some of the torch tips described herein include a nozzle with a conical external shape combined with a shield with complementing internal geometry to form the angular fluid flow. As a result, a plasma arc torch including the improved nozzle have the benefits of a stabilized ionized plasma gas flow together with enhanced nozzle cooling and protection from reflecting slag during torch use.

Abstract: A burner design used for thermal treatment of a surface of materials is presented. The burner includes a tubular electrode, a nozzle, a removable rod-shaped electrode which are arranged to form a discharge chamber, a means for vapor generation in the form of a reservoir provided with a flange and filled with a liquid-absorbing material, an electric arc vortex stabilization element, an element for cooling the nozzle and the electrode, and current leads. The reservoir flange is made in the form of a connection fitting and is provided with a partition having a central opening in which the tubular electrode is positioned to enable the formation of a heating element including an evaporator and a vapor superheater, both separated by the partition, the evaporator is provided with grooves for discharging vapor into a collector out of an annular recess on a surface of the vapor superheater arranged outside the reservoir.

Abstract: A welding system includes a gas tungsten arc welding power source having a welding arc contactor, a plasma welding torch, and a gas console that supplies gases to the plasma welding torch. The welding system also includes a coolant flow switch connected in series with the welding arc contactor. Power is not provided from the gas tungsten arc welding power source to the plasma welding torch when the coolant flow switch is not actuated.

Abstract: In a method for joining two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, metal parts (1, 2) by a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process, in a first step, the two metal parts (1, 2) to be joined are initially positioned relative to one another by a centering offset (7) in such a way that a narrow gap (4) is formed between them and a relief region (8) is created in the seam-bottom area. In a second step, the flanks (5, 6) of the metal parts (1, 2), which delimit the narrow gap (4), are joined together by welding beads (10) which fill the narrow gap (4), with a predetermined melt-through point (9) being formed. High-quality automatic welding is achieved in that the narrow gap (4) has a continuously constant width (a), in that the width (a) of the narrow gap (4) is selected such that the welding beads (10) lying one above the other each extend over the entire width (a) of the narrow gap (4), and in that the entire narrow gap (4) is filled with the welding beads (10) in fully automatic fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting thick-walled metal workpieces by welding. In order to create the weld joint, the cross-sections are provided with a maximum of three weld regions according to wall thickness, the welding being carried out by a combined use of welding methods: the first weld region (root) is welded by means of laser beam welding or hybrid laser-arc welding, the second weld region is welded by means of hybrid laser-arc welding, and the third weld region required occasionally depending on the thickness of the sheet metal is welded by means of hybrid laser-arc welding or simply arc welding. The invention also relates to a seam preparation corresponding to the respective welding method used.

Abstract: A welding observation apparatus is provided to use partial darkening by a telecentric optical system and a photochromic filter (PCF) as an optical system for filtering light emission from arc discharge in order to verify the welding condition under the welding arc discharge, without forming an image on the PCF, so that light reducing performance can be secured even if a focus shifts from on the PCF, with satisfactory monitoring of welding condition. The welding observation apparatus comprises: an arc welding unit 8; an objective optical system (1, 2) for concentrating light from the arc welding unit 8; a telecentric optical system 3 for guiding the light concentrated by the objective optical system (1, 2); a PCF 4 for illuminating with the light guided by the telecentric optical system 3; and a solid state imaging device 9 for receiving the light passing through the PCF 4, wherein the light from the arc welding unit 8 is partial-darkened by the PCF 4.

Abstract: A handheld air plasma spray is designed. Plasma is generated by a magnetized arc torch running at 60 Hz and is in non-equilibrium state; thus, the plasma effluent has relatively low temperature (touchable) and yet contains high energy electrons (>5 eV) capable to dissociate oxygen molecules to atomic oxygen. The emission spectroscopy of the torch indicates that the plasma effluent carries an abundance of atomic oxygen, which can effectively kill all kind microbes. Moreover, the experimental results show that this plasma can rapidly clot blood. This invention is for sterilization and blood coagulation applications.

Abstract: A system for producing plasma tubes that can withstand a wide variety of physical and environmental stressors within a plasma processing system is disclosed. Within such a plasma processing system, a plasma tube structure has a central body portion—having a fixed outer diameter. At a first end of the plasma tube structure, an outwardly extending flange may be provided. At a second end of the plasma tube, an edge portion is provided—having an outer diameter that is less than the fixed outer diameter of the central body portion. The edge portion is formed to facilitate easy and secure engagement of the plasma tube structure with a compression mechanism. The plasma tube structure is formed of material that provides sufficient structural integrity and degradation resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standard interface for providing mechanical location, mechanical orientation, electrical connections, and water chamber seals for the exchange of a variety of plasma forming nozzles each associated with a specific plasma plume characteristic. The flexibility of the nozzle attachment is improved over prior designs by providing a standard exterior nozzle configuration and nozzle clamping assembly on the plasma gun so that multiple nozzles configurations (giving different plasma flow properties) can easily be used with the same devices. The joining of the nozzle to the receptacle forms a channel for cooling liquid to flow from the plasma gun through the nozzle to a return path in the plasma gun and creates an electrical contact between the plasma gun and the nozzle.

Abstract: A component for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes a continuously contoured surface extending along the component that directs a flow of shield gas at a predetermined angle to result in a specific pierce or cut location on a workpiece. In one form, the component is a shield cap that includes an exit orifice extending through a central portion of the shield cap, the exit orifice defining an inlet portion and an outlet portion, and a continuously contoured surface extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The continuously contoured surfaces may be convergent, divergent, or a combination of convergent and divergent according to the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, the shield cap may comprise a single, unitary piece or alternately a plurality of pieces or components.

Abstract: An adjustable vacuum and support system for evacuating particulate matter, smoke, excess gasses, and molten metal from a work area during TIG welding and for providing adjustable support to a welding head. The vacuum system has a vacuum head and a vacuum nozzle. An adjustable mounting bracket arrangement has a first portion fixed to the vacuum head and a second portion securable to the welding head. The bracket arrangement establishes pivotal and slidable couplings between the welding head and the vacuum head. The vacuum nozzle has a support surface for being rested on a surface of a workpiece to support the vacuum head and the welding head. The support surface of the vacuum nozzle can be a base bevel surface at the tip of the nozzle. An opposed suction bevel surface can have a nozzle aperture interposed therealong.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid-solution strengthened iron-nickel alloy with a high level of ductility and an expansion coefficient <5×10?6/K in the temperature range between room temperature and ?200° C. Said alloy consists of (in wt. %): between 0.005 and 0.05% of C; <0.02% of S; between 1 and 2% of Cr; between 35 and 38% of Ni; between 0.3 and 1.5% of Mn; <0.5% of Si; between 1.0 and 3.5% of ? Mo+W; between 0.2 and 1.0% of Ti; between 0.2 and 1.0% of Nb; <0.02% of P; and between 1.0 and 4.0% of Co; Fe constituting the remainder, in addition to production-related impurities.

Abstract: A Penetration Enhancing Activating Flux (PEAF) in paste form for autogenous TIG welding of austenitic stainless steels adapted for ready application with a brush on top weld surface prior to conducting autogenous TIG welding to favour single weld pass, of austenitic stainless steels of AISI 304LN and AISI 316LN varieties with weld bead penetration up to a section thickness of 12 mm. Importantly, the above (PEAF) paste based TIG welding of the invention achieves an increase in weld bead penetration of about 300% over the conventional TIG process without activating flux. The PEAF paste based TIG welding also favours higher productivity and high quality apart from being cost-effective due to less requirement of consumables and controlled heat input to arrest distortion, making it widely acceptable for variety of industrial applications for welding of austenitic stainless steel.

Abstract: A method for welding a tube member to a tubesheet includes positioning an open end of a tube member adjacent to a first side of the tubesheet and with the tube member extending through the tubesheet past a second side of the tubesheet. A penetration enhancing compound is applied to an inner side of the tube member at a location adjacent to a junction between an outer side of the tube member and the tubesheet second side. An arc welding operation is performed at the location of the penetration enhancing compound to effect formation of a weld joint at the junction between the tube member outer side and the tubesheet second side.

Abstract: A twin plasma apparatus including an anode plasma head and a cathode plasma head. Each of the plasma heads includes an electrode and a plasma flow channel and a primary gas inlet between at least a portion of the electrode and the plasma flow channel. The anode plasma head and the cathode plasma head are oriented at an angled toward one another. At least one of the plasma flow channels includes three generally cylindrical portions. The three generally cylindrical portions of the plasma flow channels reduce the occurrence of side arcing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for crack-free welding, repair welding, or buildup welding of metallic materials which are susceptible to hot cracking. Objects in which its application is expedient and advantageous are all components which comprise multiphase solidification alloys having a broad solidification interval or are constructed from alloys which contain alloy elements or contamination elements which form a low-melting-point eutectic material with one or more main alloy elements and which are to be joined using fusion welding methods of high power density.

Abstract: An inert gas mixture including helium and nitrogen or helium and hydrogen or helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen for use during the welding of a nickel-based or cobalt-based substrate is provided. Also provided is a method for the welding of a substrate in which an inert gas mixture is used. The substrate used in the method may be nickel-based or cobalt-based.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Abstract: Process for reducing cracking in superalloy metal components by selectively growing large single grains during the casting operation at a region where fusion welding will be required.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a joining area and method between copper and stainless steel or titanium, as well as the permanent cathode obtained, where said joining area is made of a first zone of a copper-nickel (Cu—Ni) alloy, an intermediate zone with a mostly nickel alloy or pure nickel and a second zone made of a stainless steel-nickel alloy, which is the result of the participating materials being cast in an arc welding process, for example TIG, MIG or manual arc using electrodes of nickel as welding contributor between said materials and their space arrangement, that is to say, leaving a separation between the materials when performing the welding process, thus ensuring as follows: a) greater tensile strength, b) a substantial improvement of corrosion resistance of the joint welding, and c) improvement of conductibility, which can be improved still further by modifying the straight design of the conducting bar by providing it with the “horn”-type shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for welding objects having a butt joint includes providing at least one welding torch, providing a fixture to hold at least one object to be welded, moving the at least one welding torch over the butt joint, heating the butt joint with the at least one welding torch, forming a bridge across a gap of the butt joint from heated parent material of the at least one object in a first welding operation, moving the at least one welding torch over the butt joint, and filling the gap of the butt joint with a filler material being fused with the bridge of the butt joint in a second welding operation to weld the butt joint together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for a plasma arc torch and methods of manufacturing the nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle body and a nozzle liner. The nozzle body has a cylindrical portion and the nozzle liner has a cylindrical section in close thermal contact with a majority of an interior surface of a cylindrical portion of the nozzle body.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a nozzle for a plasma torch, the nozzle having a rear portion that defines at least a portion of a plasma chamber and a front portion that includes a first end and a second end. The first end is adjacent the rear portion, and the second end defines a plasma exit portion. One or more fluid passageways are disposed within the front portion and extend from the first end to the second end. The fluid passageways have passageway exit portions that provide one or more discrete jets of a secondary fluid to surround a plasma jet that is ejected from the plasma exit portion. Features of the invention include faster cutting, thicker workpiece piercing capability, reduced noise, improved arc stability, and increased consumable life, all of which improve productivity associated with plasma arc torch workpiece processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal conversion of one or more reactants to desired end products includes an insulated reactor chamber having a high temperature heater such as a plasma torch at its inlet end and, optionally, a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. In a thermal conversion method, reactants are injected upstream from the reactor chamber and thoroughly mixed with the plasma stream before entering the reactor chamber. The reactor chamber has a reaction zone that is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by passage through the nozzle, which “freezes” the desired end product(s) in the heated equilibrium reaction stage, or is discharged through an outlet pipe without the convergent-divergent nozzle. The desired end products are then separated from the gaseous stream.

Abstract: The formation of a bellows made up of a stack of a predetermined number of ring-convolutions and having an intermediate plate supported within said stack is achieved by supplying several thin metal rings, each having inner and outer edges. A pair of these metal rings are positioned in contiguous relationship and their adjacent inside edges are welded together to form a ring-convolution. This process is repeated until a sufficient number of ring-convolutions are made to eventually make the desired bellows. Before these separate ring-convolutions are fused to each other, an intermediate plate and a support ring are made. The intermediate plate is a disc of metal that is sized smaller than the inside diameter of the rings and is secured to the support ring. The support ring is then positioned between two formed ring-convolutions in contiguous relationship and the three abutting outside edges are welded to each other to form a support plate convolution.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular assembly is provided, comprising a first iron based tubular having a first non-cladded inner surface; and a second iron based tubular having a second non-cladded inner surface, wherein the first tubular is connected to the second tubular using a non-iron based bonding material. Preferably, the non-iron based bonding material has a lower crack growth rate than the iron based tubulars.

Abstract: Methods and associated systems for welding a particle-matrix composite body to another body are disclosed. In some embodiments, a particle-matrix bit body may be welded to a metal coupler. In one embodiment, a heating torch may heat a first localized volume of the particle-matrix composite body to a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix material of the particle-matrix composite body. A welding torch may simultaneously melt a second localized volume proximate the first localized volume to a temperature above the melting temperature of the matrix material of the particle-matrix composite body to weld the particle-matrix composite body to another body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wire-guide/nozzle assembly (11, 13) for an electric arc welding torch, comprising at least one nozzle (11) for delivering gas and at least one wire-guide system (13) for guiding at least one consumable wire, characterized in that the downstream end (20) of the wire-guide system (13) runs into the nozzle (11). The peripheral wall of the nozzle (11) has at least one cut-out (10) through which the wire-guide system (13) passes. The wire-guide system (13) is fastened to the nozzle (11). The TIG welding torch comprises a wire-guide/nozzle assembly (11, 13).

Abstract: A cooling device for use in an electric arc furnace is provided. The cooling device provides a novel and effective method for cooling burners, lances, enclosures, and other devices used in high heat environments, such as in Electric Arc Furnaces. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a cooling tube is inserted into a cooling cavity in a burner. Cooling fluid is injected through the cooling tube into the cavity to cool the portions of the burner adjacent the cooling cavity. The cooling fluid is then extracted from the cavity through a concentric space between the cooling tube and the cooling cavity. According to another aspect of the present invention, a cooling fluid distribution flange is provided to distribute cooling fluid to a plurality of cooling tubes to inject cooling fluid into a plurality of associated cooling cavities.

Abstract: A weld repair method uses a gas tungsten or plasma arc welding torch and matching filler. An amperage supplied to the torch and a travel speed of the torch are controlled to produce a weld bead having a mushroom shape. The weld bead is ground from all sides to remove at least one half of a thickness of the weld bead, and another weld bead is formed. The technique produces crack free welds with directionally solidified weld metal that is similar to that of the base material and hence has comparable mechanical properties.

Abstract: According to the invention a welding device for welding workpieces is provided. The welding device comprises a welding means for making a welding seam on workpieces and a cleaning nozzle in order to emit a cryogenic medium onto the surfaces of the workpieces in the area of their welding seam to be formed. The distance between the welding means and the nozzles is at least 5 cm.

Abstract: A welding implement includes a torch having a flexible torch head. The torch head is operable to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed within the torch head. The welding implement may include a gas supply tube and a coiled wire spring operable to flexibly couple the gas supply tube to the torch head. The welding implement may include a torch that directs a fluid to flow axially through a spring coupled the torch head. The welding implement may also include a torch including a torch head and a tripod support system to flexibly support the torch head. Each of the legs of the tripod support system may include a spring.

Abstract: A plasma torch is provided having a movable member carrying an electrode and movable along a tubular member bore having a nozzle at one end. A piston member engaged with the movable member moves the electrode between inoperable and operable positions within the bore, the movable member being biased outwardly of the one end of the bore. A first sealing member engaged with the piston member allows a fluid flow into the bore to act on the piston member to move the electrode to the operable position when the nozzle/electrode is engaged with the tubular member. A second sealing member, engaged with the bore, engages the piston member when the nozzle/electrode is removed. The fluid flow enters the bore between the sealing members, the second sealing member thus preventing torch operation when the nozzle/electrode is removed by preventing the fluid flow from acting on the piston.

Abstract: A modular plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a torch head and a torch lead, and a quick disconnect that is operatively engaged between the torch head and the torch lead. Accordingly, the torch head and torch lead may be quickly assembled and disassembled through the use of the quick disconnect. Further, the modular plasma arc torch also comprises a gas control device disposed within the plasma arc torch, which is operatively engaged between the torch head and the torch lead through the use of the quick disconnect according to the present invention. In addition, the quick disconnect may be used to connect a wide range of torch components within a plasma arc torch, thereby providing a reconfigurable plasma arc torch. Moreover, the quick disconnect according to the present invention conducts both gas and electric power from a power supply to the torch head for operation of the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: An upper plate is arranged on the top surface of a lower vertical plate to form a T-type joint, and a penetration promoter is applied on the surface of the upper plate of the T-type joint. Subsequently, when performing non-consumable electrode arc welding, a penetration width w of a molten pool on the side of the vertical plate after penetrating through the back side of the vertical plate is formed equal to or greater than the vertical plate thickness if a lower vertical plate thickness is the same thickness as an upper plate thickness or thinner than the upper plate thickness, and the penetration width of the molten pool is formed equal to or greater than the upper plate thickness if the lower vertical plate thickness is thicker than the upper plate thickness, thereby forming a penetration shape having a desired welding metal part.

Abstract: The invention provides a welding arrangement designed to respond the need of an improved welding system that aids in supplying filler material to a weld location. Provided is a welding system including a welding gun and a welding wire feed directly coupled to the welding gun. The welding gun includes a filler material housing, a filler material positioning extension, and a manual advancement device configured to advance a filler material through the welding wire feed. Further provided is a method of operating a welding gun. The method includes passing a current between an electrode and a work piece at a weld location, and advancing a filler material toward the weld location via a channel of a positioning extension in response to engagement of a manual advancement device.

Abstract: A lightweight and compact plasma cutting system includes a power source having an inverter and a non-adjustable regulator enclosed within the power source. The inverter is configured to generate a power signal suitable for a plasma arc process and the non-adjustable regulator is preconfigured to deliver a fixed gas flow to a plasma torch for the plasma arc process.

Abstract: A welding tool for TIG arc welding, plasma welding or laser welding, including a welding head carrying a refractory electrode and surrounded by a skirt. The skirt is releasably fastened on the welding head and has a front portion which extends forwards and is shaped to surround a weld head with clearance over a predetermined length. The skirt is made by molding or thermoforming a composite material made of at least two layers of ceramic fibers which are bonded together by an elastomer that withstands high temperatures.

Abstract: A method for welding to a superalloy material without causing cracking of the material. The method includes the steps of depositing a weld strip (18) of a weldable material onto a superalloy substrate material (12) using a spray deposition process (20) and then forming a weldment (26) to the weld strip. None or a controlled amount of the substrate material (12) is melted during the weld in order to maintain the concentration of strengthening elements in the local melt within a zone of weldability. The spray deposition process may be a thermal process such as HVOF or a cold spray process. A groove (16) may be formed in a surface (10) of the superalloy substrate material to receive the weld strip. A diffusion heat treatment step may be used to improve adhesion between the weld strip and the superalloy material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waste gas treatment apparatus having a waste gas inlet for flowing a waste gas into a main combustion chamber provided in empty space inside a body, and a plasma torch configured to propagate flames against the waste gas flowing through the waste gas inlet. The apparatus comprises a steam injection nozzle configured to eject high temperature steam against the flames emitted through a nozzle of the plasma torch, and a reaction tube, extended longitudinally toward the bottom of the main combustion chamber into a tube shape, configured to perform the chemical reaction between a reaction accelerating compound and the waste gas induced by pressure of the nozzle of the plasma torch.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for on-site production of a protective gas mixture for arc joining, in particular for arc welding. Gaseous argon is removed from a liquid argon supply and helium is added to the argon, and a doping gas premix which is prepared separately on-site is added. Various combinations of argon, helium and the doping gas premix are supplied via a protective gas supply device which supplies multiple workplaces with different gas mixtures without the need for specialty gas mixing equipment.

Abstract: A chromium-free welding consumable and a method of welding stainless steel to reduce the presence of chromium emissions. The consumable is made from an alloy that reduces the emission of chromium during a welding process, and include predominantly nickel, with between approximately five and twenty five percent by weight copper, up to approximately five percent by weight of palladium, up to approximately ten percent by weight of molybdenum and up to five percent non-copper alloying ingredients. Welding consumables made from the alloy are particularly well-suited for welding austenitic stainless steels, such as type 304 stainless steel. The method involves using chromium-free weld filler material with a stainless steel base material.

Abstract: To protect the collimator of a transferred plasma arc torch from premature failure due to corrosion, an anti-corrosive covering is applied on the exposed face surface and a portion of the inner exit bore of the collimator. The specification describes several methods for producing the collimator for a plasma torch having an anti-corrosive coating or cladding on the exposed surfaces thereof, including electroplating, electroless plating, flame spraying, plasma spraying, plasma transferred arc, hot isostatic pressing and explosive cladding.

Abstract: A plasma jet electrode device includes an orientation base, a ceramic pipe, a round plate having a plurality of tilted through holes thereon and a high-voltage metal electrode. A dielectric discharging plasma area is formed between the high-voltage metal electrode and the ceramic pipe. The plasma jet electrode device further has a rotating base, a bottom plate, and a grounding electrode. A low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma area is formed between the grounding electrode and the high-voltage metal electrode. The round plate has a spray head praying low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma. The plasma treatment area is increased, and the uniformity is improved. The present plasma jet electrode system has a frame for fixing at least one plasma jet electrode device. It evidently increases the effective plasma treatment area. The system can also provide additional functions of cooling, guiding, plating and etching, etc.

Abstract: A welding gun is disclosed that includes an electrode configured to effectuate a welding-type process and a non-conductive nozzle configured to at least partially surround the electrode. The welding gun also includes a conductive casing at least partially surrounding the nozzle and electrically isolated from the electrode and a conductive path extending from the conductive casing through the welding gun.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly operable to secure a porous disc within a welding torch. The nozzle assembly comprises a front nozzle member and a rear nozzle member. The front nozzle member is securable to the rear nozzle member. The porous disc is captured between the front nozzle member and the rear nozzle member when the front nozzle member is secured to the rear nozzle member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wire-guide/nozzle assembly (11, 13) for an electric arc welding torch, comprising at least one nozzle (11) for delivering gas and at least one wire-guide system (13) for guiding at least one consumable wire, characterized in that the downstream end (20) of the wire-guide system (13) runs into the nozzle (11). The peripheral wall of the nozzle (11) has at least one cut-out (10) through which the wire-guide system (13) passes. The wire-guide system (13) is fastened to the nozzle (11). The TIG welding torch comprises a wire-guide/nozzle assembly (11, 13).

Abstract: Vented shield systems for plasma arc torches are provided that comprise a shield cup body defining a distal end portion, a vented retainer secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body, and a shield cap secured to the vented retainer. The vented retainer defines at least one vent passageway that directs a flow of secondary gas inward toward the shield cap, and the vented shield system blocks at least a portion of molten metal from contacting components, such as a tip or nozzle, of the plasma arc torch. The shield cap may comprise a mechanized cap, a drag cap, a gouging cap, or a deflector cap, among others. Accordingly, various shield caps may be employed without removal or replacement of the vented retainer. The same vented retainer may be used throughout a variety of plasma arc torch applications.

Abstract: An improved TIG welding torch with a gas nozzle surrounding the fixed electrode and using a high frequency generator remote from the torch to selectively create a short burst of high frequency, high voltage to start or sustain an arc wherein a conductive layer is affixed to the gas nozzle and a conductor grounds the layer and provides shielding that drastically reduces high frequency radiation.