US 4,304,979 A · Method and apparatus for electron beam welding at elevated pressures

Abstract

Method and an apparatus whereby electron beam deep welding can be performed at pressures of more than 10 millibars, especially under atmospheric conditions, without the need for complex apparatus. This is achieved by guide surfaces disposed between a seam and an electron beam source, so as to reflect the diverging electrons and at the same time reduce the free access of the ambient gas atmosphere. The electron reflection and the simultaneous blocking off of gases is achieved by guide surfaces substantially parallel and symmetrical with the beam axis which extend along the beam for at least ten millimeters. The distance between the guide surfaces through the center of the electron beam is greater than the diameter which the beam has upon entering into the higher pressure area.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A process for the electron beam welding under environmental pressures of at least 10 mbar of workpieces along a seam therebetween, comprising the steps of:

providing an electron gun having an outermost aperture through which the electron beam produced by the gun can pass;
focusing the beam before the aperture to effect the emission of a highly focused beam through the aperture;
and
concentrating the focused beam and directing same to the seam to be welded with a concomitant reduction of the free access of the environmental atmosphere on the concentrated beam by positioning guide surfaces for the beam electrons in the environmental atmosphere between the aperture and the seam symmetrically spaced from the axis of the beam to effect impingement of diverging electrons at an acute angle with respect to the guide surfaces and reflection thereof to the seam.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for electron beam welding at elevated pressures

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for electron beam welding at elevated pressures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14