Fluid manifold for a welder

A method of providing communication between a plurality of fluid conduits and auxiliary components ,said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a unitary manifold block having at least a first and a second fluid communication systems that are fluidly isolated from each other, each systems having a main inlet port, a main outlet port and a main passageway communicating therebetween for passing a main flow of a fluid between said main inlet ports and said main outlet ports, and said unitary manifold block further having at least one auxiliary port communicating with first and second fluid communication systems;
• connecting the plurality of fluid conduits to said at least first and said second fluid communication systems;
• and
• connecting auxiliary components to said manifold in communication with one of said at least first and second fluid communication systems and providing physical support for said auxiliary components.

A fluid manifold comprising:

• a unitary manifold block, the manifold block being elongated and having first and second ends;
• a first fluid communication conduit system in the first end and a second fluid communication conduit system in the second end of the unitary manifold block, the unitary manifold block providing fluid isolation between the first fluid communication system and the second fluid communication system;
• the first fluid communication system comprising a first main inlet port adapted to receive a first main flow of fluid, a first main outlet port for discharging that first main flow of fluid and a first main passageway within to unitary manifold block communicating between the first main inlet port and the first main outlet, and at least two auxiliary ports formed in the unitary manifold block in communication with the first main flow of fluid passing between the first main inlet port and the first outlet port, wherein one of the at least two auxiliary ports is positioned parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the unitary manifold block;
• and
• the second communication system comprising a second main inlet port adapted to receive a second main flow of fluid and a second main outlet port for discharging that second main flow of fluid, and at least one auxiliary port formed in the unitary manifold block in communication with the second main flow of fluid passing between to second main inlet port and the second main outlet port.

A system for providing fluid communication between plurality of fluid conduits and fluid components, the system comprising:

• an elongated, unitary manifold block having a first end containing within a first fluid communication system and a second end containing within a second fluid communication system, the manifold block providing fluid isolation between the first and second fluid communication systems;
• the first fluid communication system comprising a first main inlet port to receive a first main flow of fluid, a first main outlet port for discharging the first main flow of fluid, a first main passageway providing fluid communication between the first main inlet port and the first main outlet port, and at least one first auxiliary port in communication with the first main flow of fluid;
• the second fluid communication system comprising a second main inlet port to receive a second main flow of fluid, a second main outlet port for discharging the second main flow of fluid, a second main passageway providing fluid communication between the second main inlet port and the second main outlet port, at least one second auxiliary port in communication with the second main flow of fluid;
• and
• wherein one of the first and second main inlet ports, main outlet ports, and a connecting passage therebetween are coaxially formed in the manifold block.

A fluid communication apparatus comprising:

• an elongated, unitary, fluid communication block having first and second ends, a plurality of fluid conduits therewithin, and providing fluid isolation between a first fluid communication system and a second fluid communication system;
• the first fluid communication system disposed in the first end of the fluid communication block, and comprising a first main inlet port adapted to receive a first main flow of fluid and parallel to a second main inlet port, a first main outlet port for discharging the first main flow of fluid, a first main passageway within the unitary manifold block providing fluid communication between the first main inlet port and the first main outlet port, and at least one first auxiliary port formed in the fluid communication block in communication with the first main flow of fluid passing between the first main inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• the second communication system disposed in the second end of the fluid communication block, and comprising a second main inlet port adapted to receive a second main flow of fluid and parallel to the first main inlet port, a second main outlet port for discharging the second main flow of fluid, a second main passageway within the fluid communication block providing fluid communication between the second main inlet port and the second main outlet port, and at least one second auxiliary port formed in the unitary manifold block in communication with the second main flow of fluid passing between the second main inlet and outlet ports.