Spot welding electrode apparatus

Abstract

A spot welding electrode valve includes a body having an upper and a lower tapered portion and containing a hollow valve which houses a spring loaded sensor having a valve portion. The spot welding electrode valve is adapted to be mounted to a standard resistance welding electrode through its upper tapered end portion and in the mounted position the valves in the body are closed so as to circulate coolant fluid through the body and the welding electrode. The lower tapered end portion is adapted to receive a welding cap or tip which when mounted actuates the sensor to open the valves in the body to allow coolant fluid to flow inside the welding cap or tip and to remove heat generated in the welding process. When the welding cap or tip is removed for replacement or repair, the sensor will automatically close the valves in the body and confine circulation of the coolant fluid inside the spot welding electrode valve and welding electrode without external release. One purpose of the spot welding electrode valve is to allow replacement of welding caps or tips, particularly with regard to multi-electrode resistance welding machines, without the need to close the main coolant flow valve of the system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.