Welding enclosure with magnetic-latching doorway
AssigneeGulf Island Fabrication, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Tobias, Paul Ray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressurized welding enclosure is disclosed that features a magnetic latching mechanism to securely seal entry doors so as to prevent the emission of flammable debris during hot work operations. The main entry door may also incorporate a spark filter that allows air pressure equalization between the main welding enclosure and the airlock chamber, while still preventing the emission of flammable debris. The welding enclosure preferably utilizes an optical flame detector to monitor the hot work station for a reflash event after hot work operations have ceased, and an automated water deluge system may be used to extinguish any fire detected by the optical flame detector.
Claims22
A welding enclosure comprising:
- (a) a main enclosure housing including a flexible, fire-resistant fabric;
- (b) an airlock chamber connected to the main enclosure housing;
- (c) a main enclosure entry door assembly including:
- (i) a metal door frame connected to the main enclosure housing;
- (ii) a metal door hinged to the door frame;
- and (iii) door closure magnets positioned on at least one of the door and the door frame in order to magnetically hold the door to the door frame in a closed position;
- and
- (d) an airlock entry door assembly including:
- (i) a metal door frame connected to the airlock chamber with a hook-and-loop connector material;
- (ii) a metal door hinged to the door frame;
- (iii) door closure magnets positioned on the door and the door frame in order to magnetically hold the door to the door frame in a closed position.
A welding enclosure comprising:
- (a) a main enclosure housing comprising a flexible, fire-resistant fabric;
- and
- (b) a main enclosure entry door assembly including:
- (i) a door frame releasably connected to the main enclosure housing;
- (ii) a door hinged to the door frame;
- and (iii) door closure magnets positioned on at least one of the door and the door frame in order to magnetically hold the door to the door frame in a closed position;
- (c) an airlock chamber connected to the main enclosure housing;
- and
- (d) an airlock entry door assembly including:
- (i) a door frame releasably connected to the airlock chamber;
- (ii) a door hinged to the door frame;
- (iii) door closure magnets positioned on at least one of the door and the door frame in order to magnetically hold the door to the door frame in a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.