Patent ID: 9180546
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A welding torch for gas tungsten arc welding, the welding torch including a torch head and a torch handle, the torch head including: a collet having a first end and an opposite second end and an internal diameter that is the same as or slightly less than an external diameter of an electrode, the internal diameter defining an electrical contact region of the electrode; a hollow inner body in electrical contact with one terminal of an electric power source, the inner body having an interior through which the electrode axially extends, a lower portion of the inner body having an internal diameter that receives the first end of the collet, a lower portion of the inner body having a threaded external portion; an inner gas chamber defined within the interior of the inner body about a portion of the electrode; a collet clamping member having an internal diameter that receives the second end of the collet and a threaded internal portion engaged with the threaded external portion of the lower inner body, a tightening of the collet clamping member over the threaded external portion of the lower inner body compressing the first end and the second end of the collet against the electrode; a gas shroud extending around the electrode free end to define an outer gas chamber that allows, in use, a shielding gas to shield a free end of the electrode; a passageway for circulating coolant about or above the electrical contact region to extract heat from the electrical contact region; and at least one gas port allowing the shielding gas to pass from the inner gas chamber to the outer gas chamber.