Patent ID: 6998575
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A welding gun comprising: a substantially rigid shell comprising a tubular portion and a torch portion, the tubular portion extending generally about a first longitudinal axis and the torch portion extending generally about a curved line that curves away from the longitudinal axis, a motor having an axis generally aligned with said first axis of said tubular portion and positioned within said tubular portion, a wire feed mechanism within said generally tubular portion that comprises an idler roller and a feeder roller, said feeder roller being coupled to and driven by the motor, a block within said generally tubular portion that is configured to support the idler and feeder rollers such that they rotate about axes that extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, the block defining a coolant path and an inert gas path, the coolant and inert gas paths extending from a proximal end of the block to a front face of the block and extending generally beneath the wire feed mechanism; a torch barrel, at least the majority of which is positioned within said torch portion of said shell, removably fixed to a mounting plate that is fixed to a front face of the block; the torch barrel curving away from the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, the mounting plate including an inert gas connection portion for connecting the inert gas path with an inert gas conduit that extends through the torch barrel, and a coolant connection portion for connecting to the coolant path; a welding tip that is coupled to the torch barrel, the torch barrel being substantially centered within the torch portion of the rigid shell; a wire path having an inlet portion and extending through the mounting plate and the torch barrel so as to direct wire from the wire feed mechanism to the welding tip.