Laminar-vortex welding chamber
US7129436B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2103/14
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A welding chamber having a laminar-vortex inert gas flow is disclosed. The welding chamber comprises a transparent dome that covers an open top side of a rigid generally rectanguloid enclosure. The dome includes a one-way vent for discharging ambient air from within the chamber while preventing the introduction of ambient air into the chamber. The enclosure includes a bottom and side walls that are joined at smooth, curved edges, and at least one side wall of the enclosure includes portholes with gloves for manually accessing the interior of the chamber while the dome is in a closed position. At least one gas distribution tube, a plurality of gas inlets and laminar-flow tunnels are included. In use, an inert gas is introduced into the distribution tube that substantially encircles the top of the enclosure. The inert gas is directed downward through the laminar flow tunnels, attached to the side walls of the enclosure, where the gas exits each tunnel with a laminar flow and is directed by the radiused bottom corners of the enclosure from a vertical flow to a horizontal flow across the bottom of the enclosure. As such, the inert gas creates a slow-moving counter-clockwise vortex patt…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.