Patent ID: 6576060
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A protective gas shield apparatus comprisinga shield body having a back wall; a plurality of flanges positioned on said back wall proximate the side and end edges of said back wall, said flanges extending outwardly away from one side of said back wall; at least one support member affixed to said back wall, said at least one support member having a plurality of holes; a perforated sheet means supported spaced from said back wall by said flanges and said at least one support member, said back wall and perforated sheet forming a plenum, said perforated sheet means including two perforated sheets which mate to form said perforated sheet means; at least two conduits extending into said plenum and each spaced inwardly from one side of said shield body for supplying an inert gas to said plenum whereby the gas flows outwardly from said perforated sheet; and an endcap engaging each end of said body and the edge of said perforated sheet to hold the perforated sheet on the shield body, while permitting expansion and contraction of the perforated sheet.