Ternary gas plasma welding torch
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsWilliam F. McGee, Daniel J. Rybicki, Douglas J. Waldron
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Abstract
A plasma arc welding torch wherein a first plasma gas is directed through the body of the welding torch and out of the body across the tip of a welding electrode disposed at the forward end of the body. A second plasma gas is disposed for flow through a longitudinal bore in the electrode. The second plasm gas enters one end of the electrode and exits the electrode at the tip thereof for coacting with the electric welding arc to produce the desired weld. A shield gas is directed through the torch body for circulating around the head of the torch adjacent the electrode tip.
Claims4
A plasma arc welding torch comprising:
- a body having aft and forward end portions;
- an electrode supported in said body, said electrode having an aft portion and a forward portion including a tip, said tip positioned in said forward portion of said body, and, said electrode disposed for producing an electric arc from said tip;
- first passage means provided in said body and disposed for communication with a source of primary inert gas plasma producing gas for directing said primary inert plasma producing gas across said tip of said electrode;
- second passage means being a longitudinal bore within said electrode, said longitudinal bore having a first end disposed for communication with a source of secondary inert plasma producing gas, and a second end for directing said secondary inert plasma producing gas out of said tip of said electrode for mixing with said electric arc and said primary inert plasma producing gas;
- and
- shielding gas means including third passage means disposed in communication with a source of shielding gas to direct said shielding gas around said forward portion of said torch body to provide an inert atmosphere at the weld zone adjacent said tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.