Patent ID: 8723071
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: B23K,F16J

Abstract:
1. An atmospheric shield for isolating a component from an external atmosphere, the atmospheric shield comprising: an envelope; and a continuous channel fixed to a base, the base and the envelope being arranged to define an enclosure, the enclosure including a primary enclosure and a sub-enclosure, within which the component to be isolated in use is located and such that a portion of the envelope extends within the continuous channel, a controlled leakage seal being provided within the continuous channel to seal between the portion of the envelope extending within the continuous channel and the base, such that the controlled leakage seal surrounds a portion of the envelope located nearest to the base, the envelope containing an integral housing within the envelope which defines the sub-enclosure and isolates the sub-enclosure from the primary enclosure within the envelope, the integral housing is fixed to a portion of the base located within the primary enclosure, and surrounds a portion of the controlled leakage seal provided between the envelope and a portion of the continuous channel located within the enclosure, wherein the integral housing provides support to the envelope and further isolates the primary enclosure from the atmosphere external of the envelope; a first gas pathway being provided in the controlled leakage seal to communicate the sub-enclosure with the atmosphere external of the envelope and a second gas pathway being provided to communicate the sub-enclosure with the primary enclosure, and a further conduit being provided to supply a gas to the sub-enclosure.