Patent ID: 7992760
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A device for purging gas, comprising: a conduit assembly defining an interior volume, the conduit assembly comprising: wherein the open second end of the first conduit portion is disposed proximate to the open first end of the second conduit portion to define a weld region; a supply element supplying a gas to the interior volume at a substantially constant rate; and a vent element venting the gas from the interior volume at a rate that maintains the gas in the interior volume within a pressure range suitable to hold a weld bead in the weld region in equilibrium during formation of a weld to join the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; wherein said vent element is configured such that an interior volume of said first and second conduit portions are substantially free of obstructions to thereby maintain fluid flow of said gas within said interior volume of said second conduit portion through to said open first end of said first conduit portion and wherein said vent element does not contact said first and second conduit portions such that an interior surface of said first and second conduit portions remains free of obstruction to substantially permit free gas flow between said closed end of said second conduit portion and said open end of said first conduit portion.