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US 7,253,373 B2Granted
Air-cooled arc welding implement
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorDavid Delgado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A welding implement, such as a TIG welding torch. The welding implement comprises a torch head and a thermal storage member. The torch head is operable to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed therein. The thermal storage member is adapted to store heat from the torch head during operation of the torch and to release the heat when the torch is not operated. The thermal storage member is electrically isolated from the torch head by an electrical insulator. The welding implement may comprise a tube coupled to the torch head to conduct gas and electricity to the torch head. The welding implement may also comprise a second tube disposed around the tube proximate to the torch head to increase heat transfer from the torch head to the tube.
Claims38
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head configured to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed therein;
- and
- a thermal storage member adapted to absorb heat from the torch head;
- a first electrical insulator disposed along an interior of the thermal storage member;
- and
- a second electrical insulator disposed completely around an exterior of the thermal storage member.
3 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a tube operable to conduct electricity to a torch head and to conduct heat from the torch head;
- a metal member disposed in a thermally conductive relationship with the tube, wherein the metal member is configured to absorb heat from the torch head;
- an electrical insulator disposed between the tube and the metal member;
- and
- an insulating material disposed entirely over the tube and metal member.
2 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head;
- a first tubular member having a passage therethrough to couple gas to the torch head;
- a second tubular member disposed over the first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member is configured to absorb heat from the first tubular member;
- a third tubular member disposed between the first and second tubular members, wherein the third tubular member comprises an electrical insulator;
- and
- an insulating material disposed about an exterior of the third tubular member.
3 more elements
A TIG welding system, comprising:
- a power source;
- and
- an air-cooled TIG welding torch electrically coupleable to the power source, comprising:
- a torch head adapted to conduct electricity to an electrode disposed therein;
- a thermal storage member electrically isolated from the torch head;
- a first electrical insulator disposed over the torch head and concentrically about the thermal storage member;
- and
- a second electrical insulator disposed concentrically inside the thermal storage member.
5 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head including a collet assembly configured to support an electrode;
- a conductor extending from the torch head and operable to electrically couple the torch head to a power source to route electrical current to the electrode;
- a metallic member disposed about the conductor and electrically isolated from the conductor and the torch head, wherein the metallic member is configured to absorb heat from the conductor;
- a first dielectric material disposed between the metallic member and conductor;
- and
- a second dielectric material disposed about the torch head, the metallic member, and the conductor, wherein the second dielectric material extends along the entire length of the metallic member.
3 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head;
- a conductor extending from the torch head, wherein the conductor is configured to enable passage of a gas;
- a thermal storage member disposed proximate the conductor and configured to absorb heat from the conductor;
- and
- a protective cover substantially enveloping the thermal storage member, wherein the protective cover comprises a first electrical insulator;
- and
- a second electrical insulator disposed between the thermal storage member and the conductor.
4 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head configured to conduct electricity according to a duty cycle;
- and
- a thermal storage member configured to take advantage of the duty cycle to cool the torch head during operation of the welding implement, wherein the thermal storage member is configured to store heat transferred from the torch head to the thermal storage member during an on state of the duty cycle, and the thermal storage member is configured to release heat stored during the on state back to the welding implement for heat dissipation during an off state of the duty cycle;
- and
- an electrical insulator that electrically isolates the thermal storage member from the torch head.
2 more elements
A welding implement, comprising:
- a torch head configured to conduct electricity to a welding electrode according to a duty cycle;
- a conductor leading to the torch head, wherein the conductor is configured to conduct electricity to the torch head according to the duty cycle;
- a heat dam disposed adjacent the torch head, wherein the heat dam is configured to absorb heat from the torch head and to transfer the heat to the conductor;
- and
- a thermal storage member disposed adjacent the conductor, wherein the thermal storage member is configured to take advantage of the duty cycle to cool the torch head during operation of the welding implement, the thermal storage member is configured to store heat transferred from the torch head to the thermal storage member via the conductor during an on state of the duty cycle, and the thermal storage member is configured to release heat stored during the on state back to the conductor for heat dissipation during an off state of the duty cycle;
- and
- an insulating material disposed completely about an outer perimeter of the heat dam and the thermal storage member.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.