Apparatus for mixing gases for use in arc welding processes

Abstract

An improved gas mixing apparatus for dispensing a specific ratio of two or more gases mixed together for supplying the mixture to a gas metal arc welding machine. The mixing apparatus provides gas mixing while welding operations are being performed. The apparatus includes a gas flow path defined by a pair of Y members coupled together to receive three different gases, the Y members being coupled with fittings and contained with the fittings in a housing which is relatively small in size and which is sufficiently small to be mounted on the side of a cylinder or on the side or top of a welding machine. The apparatus has no moving parts and it can be used with short arc, spray arc, pulse spray arc and gas tungsten arc processes. No adjustments of the parts of the mixing apparatus are necessary. There are no tools needed to change from one gas to another. A handle is provided for hanging the apparatus on a cylinder. A quick release reverse flow prevention valve is installed on the apparatus for each gas directed to the mixing apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.