Method and apparatus for underwater submerged arc welding
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsKoichi Masubuchi, Chon-Liang Tsai
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Abstract
According to the method and apparatus of this invention, water is kept away from the arc in underwater arc welding by means of material contained in a water-tight enclosure. The water-tight enclosure is formed by pressing the seal at the bottom of the enclosure against the object to be welded and by closing the opening for the electrode on top of the enclosure by using the fluid nature of a viscous polymer. Gas generated in the enclosure during welding is expelled through check valves located along two longitudinal sides of the enclosure. The enclosure is prepared above the water surface and then delivered to the welding site. No inert gas is needed.
Claims12
Apparatus for underwater arc welding comprising:
- an enclosure having a perforable bottom,
- said enclosure containing layers of welding flux, an insulating powder and a water-insoluble, high-viscosity liquid in that order on said bottom,
- a longitudinal slot in the top of said enclosure
- whereby an electrode may enter said enclosure through said slot to penetrate said layers to perforate said bottom.
A method for underwater arc welding joints in metal pieces comprising
- preparing out of water an enclosure having a perforable bottom,
- said enclosure containing layers of welding flux, an insulating powder and a water-insoluble, high-viscosity liquid in that order on said bottom,
- a longitudinal slot in the top of said enclosure to allow an electrode to enter said enclosure through said slot to penetrate said layers to perforate said bottom,
- placing said enclosure in contact with the metal to be welded with its slot over and along the joint to be welded,
- inserting an energized electrode through said slot to make electrical contact with said metal to form an arc,
- moving said electrode along said slot while maintaining said arc to produce a weld along said joint,
- said enclosure and metal being underwater during said welding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.