Welding torch for underwater welding

A welding torch for underwater welding, comprising:

• an inner tubular member having a flaring tip end portion;
• an outer tubular member having a flaring tip end portion, radially outwardly spaced from the flaring tip end portion of the inner tubular member to provide an annulus between the inner and outer tubular members and defining an injection nozzel between said flaring tip end portions;
• means for supplying welding rod means through the inner tubular member toward a region disposed centrally of the flaring tip end portion of the inner tubular member;
• means for supplying a supply of weld-shielding gas to said region;
• means for supplying water through said annulus, for flowing radially outwards as a flaring curtain form said injection nozzle with sufficient force as to prevent water surrounding the torch from invading said region during under water welding,
• the flaring of the tip end portion of the inner tubular member bears such relation of degree to the flaring of the tip end portion of the outer tubular member that the transverse cross sectional area of the annulus decreases toward the outer extents of said tip end portions to accelerate the velocity of the water issuing from said annulus;
• whereby, when said torch is in use under water with said tip end portions adjacent a member to be welded,
• a welding arc may be sustained at said region, with said gas driving water from said region, shielding the welding and escaping radially outwardly across said tip end portions into said curtain of water.