Orbital weldhead with integral cooling
OwnerVytautas John Jusionisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orbital weldhead having minimum thickness incorporates integral cooling and includes a nonconductive housing having a circular aperture for insertion and removal of the workpiece. A nonconductive self-lubricating race is mounted in the housing and surrounds the aperture, and an integral cover adapted to mate with the housing incorporates a nonconductive outer body and an electrode plate secured to the body adjacent the nonconductive race. The electrode plate includes a machined coolant flow channel engaging the nonconductive body of the cover to form a coolant flow channel surrounding the aperture.
Claims12
An orbital weldhead comprising:
- a nonconductive housing having a substantially circular workpiece aperture with an open bight portion for insertion and removal of a workpiece;
- a nonconductive self-lubricating race mounted in the housing, said race surrounding the workpiece aperture and having an coincident open bight portion;
- a integral cover adapted to mate with the housing with a coincident workpiece aperture and open bight portion and having
- a nonconductive body and;
- an electrode plate secured to the body adjacent the race and having a coincident workpiece aperture and open bight portion, said electrode plate and body cooperatively forming a coolant flow channel surrounding the workpiece aperture;
- a rotor engaged intermediate the race and electrode plate and having an open bight portion aligning with the open bight portions of the housing, cover, race and electrode in a home position, said rotor supporting a welding cathode;
- means for rotating the rotor;
- means for introducing coolant into the coolant flow channel;
- and
- means for providing power to the electrode plate for welding.
An orbital weldhead comprising:
- a nonconductive housing having a substantially circular workpiece aperture with an open bight portion for insertion and removal of a workpiece;
- a nonconductive self-lubricating race mounted in the housing, said race surrounding the workpiece aperture and having a coincident open bight portion;
- an integral cover adapted to mate with the housing with a coincident workpiece aperture and open bight portion and having
- a nonconductive body and;
- an electrode plate secured to the body adjacent the race and having a coincident workpiece aperture and open bight portion, said electrode plate and body cooperatively forming a coolant flow channel surrounding the workpiece aperture;
- a rotor engaged intermediate the race and electrode plate and having an open bight portion aligning with the open bight portions of the housing, cover, race and electrode in a home position, said rotor supporting a welding cathode;
- a gear train adapted to rotate the rotor;
- an inlet adapted to introduce coolant into the coolant flow channel;
- and
- a terminal adapted to provide power to the electrode plate for welding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.