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US 2026/0249377 A1Published application
Portable Purge Chamber for Controlled Atmosphere Welding of Readily Contaminated Metals Like Titanium or Zirconium
OwnerTravis Fieldinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a modular purge chamber system designed to create precision-controlled inert or reactive gas environments for welding titanium, zirconium, aluminum, and other oxidation-prone metals. The system preferably addresses persistent challenges in maintaining atmospheric isolation during welding operations while improving accessibility and gas efficiency compared to traditional trailing shields.
Claims20
A method for creating an inert welding environment, comprising:
- positioning modular split-shell assemblies (1000) around a weld joint (3100) of a tubular workpiece (3000), wherein each split-shell assembly includes concentric reducers (1000) with a receptacle (1101) and hood (1102);
- securing the split-shell assemblies (1000) via a recessed latch system (1110) to compress a silicone gasket (1120) against the workpiece (3000), forming an airtight seal;
- distributing inert gas through a gas distribution network (1200) comprising eight ¼″ hoses (1210) connected to a manifold (1220), wherein the gas flows sequentially through stainless steel wool (1130), fine mesh (1140), and perforated sheet (1150) diffusers to achieve laminar flow;
- sealing an access gap between the split-shell assemblies (1000) with heat-resistant tape (1300) during non-welding intervals;
- and
- regulating internal chamber pressure between 0.5-1.5 psi via adjustable vent holes (1230).
3 more elements
A method for contamination-free welding, comprising:
- establishing a purge chamber (2000) around a weld joint (3100) by clamping split-shell assemblies (1000) onto a workpiece (3000) and securing them via recessed latches (1110);
- initiating a gas flow at 25-35 CFH through a gas distribution network (1200) to displace atmospheric oxygen below 25 ppm;
- and,
- welding through an access gap between the split-shell assemblies (1000).
1 more element
A modular purge chamber assembly for welding reactive metals, comprising:
- two split concentric reducers (1000) that are each fabricated from heat-resistant polymer, including a receptacle (1101) and hood (1102);
- a recessed latch system (1110) positioned on opposing sides of at least one of the two reducers (1000) to compress a silicone gasket (1120) against a workpiece (3000);
- a gas distribution network (1200) integrated into the hood (1102), of said at least one of the two reducers (1000) where the gas distribution network comprises at least one hose (1210) connected to a manifold (1220) and layered diffusers (1130, 1140, 1150) disposed within the hood (1102) of said at least one of the two reducers (1000);
- Wherein the two reducers (1000) are positioned with the hoods (1002) facing each other such that an access gap exists between the hoods (1102) the two assemblies (1000), permitting welding torch access to a weld joint (3100) on the workpiece disposed within the hoods (1002).
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.