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US 9,789,560 B2Granted
Arc welding torch having a variable electrode receiver
OwnerJesse Rogersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An arc welding torch having a variable electrode receiving aperture including a number of discrete wedges guided within a conical interior surface of a housing to enable the use of electrodes of various diameters without changing components of the torch. An adjusting collar engages the wedges and forms an adjustable opening for an electrode to be inserted therein. Rotation of a tailpiece of the torch handle adjusts the position of the wedges and secures the electrode in position.
Claims19
An electric arc welding torch having an adjustable electrode receiver, comprising:
- a plurality of radially positioned electrode securing wedges forming an aperture therebetween on a first end of the torch;
- an internal conical surface in contact with each securing wedge such that each securing wedge traverses, in unison, the conical surface in a longitudinal direction to form a variable aperture therebetween;
- an electrode passing completely through said variable aperture in contact with each securing wedge, said securing wedges further providing electrical contact between the electrode and the conical surface, wherein a longitudinal position of the electrode is adjustable to permit electrodes of varying lengths to be secured by the variable aperture;
- and
- an adjusting collar positioning the securing wedges longitudinally along the internal conical surface;
- said adjusting collar forcing said wedges into secure contact with the electrode, wherein the aperture is adjustable over a range of diameters that is greater than the range of electrode diameters usable with said torch.
3 more elements
A method for using a welding torch in combination with an arc welder, comprising:
- providing an adjustable electrode receiver having a plurality of electrically conductive wedges defining an aperture therein, said aperture being suitable for receiving a plurality of electrodes of different diameters;
- inserting a first electrode into and through the aperture in the electrode receiver;
- adjusting the wedges to be in electrical contact with an outer surface of the first electrode, wherein a longitudinal position of the electrode is adjustable to permit electrodes of varying lengths to be secured by the variable aperture;
- and
- securing the first electrode in a fixed position using the wedges by applying a force to said wedges via a threaded collar in contact with the wedges, wherein said collar is operatively associated with a tailpiece of the torch, said collar positioning the securing wedges longitudinally along an internal conical surface, and where the aperture is adjustable over a range of diameters that is greater than the range of electrode diameters usable with said torch.
2 more elements
A welding system, comprising:
- a power supply;
- an inert gas supply;
- a welding torch electrically connected to the power supply and coupled to the inert gas supply, said torch including an adjustable electrode receiver suitable for receiving a plurality of electrodes of different diameters;
- and
- a housing including:
- a plurality of radially positioned electrode securing wedges defining an electrode aperture therebetween;
- an internal conical surface in contact with each securing wedge such that each securing wedge traverses, in unison, the conical surface along a longitudinal direction to form a variable aperture therebetween;
- an electrode passing completely through said variable aperture in contact with each securing wedge, said securing wedges further providing electrical contact between the electrode and the conical surface;
- and
- an adjusting collar positioning the securing wedges longitudinally along the internal conical surface;
- said adjusting collar forcing said wedges into secure contact with the electrode, wherein the aperture is adjustable over a range of diameters that is greater than the range of electrode diameters usable with said torch;
- and
- a tailpiece, operatively attached to said housing, said tailpiece contacting the adjusting collar such that movement of the tailpiece relative to the housing results in adjustment of the aperture size.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.