Autogenous portable welding apparatus

An autogenous portable apparatus is described for welding and oxygen cutting operations which uses a combustible gas fuel and oxygen derived from the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide flowing through a catalyst of lead chips. The catalyst is positioned to allow priming by initial quantities of hydrogen peroxide to be injected into the catalyst by the action of gravity. Once oxygen is formed the pressures thereof are fed back to the container holding the hydrogen peroxide thereby pressurizing the same and cause increasing quantities of oxygen to be produced until the desired level has been reached. Condensers are provided to condense the water vapor also formed in the conversion process to purify the oxygen prior to use thereof at a welding torch. A fluid control valve regulates the flow of the hydrogen peroxide at a rate inversely to the pressure of the oxygen to thereby maintain the pressure below a maximum predetermined value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to welding equipment and, more 
specifically, to autogenous portable welding apparatus. 
While numerous gaseous fuels are used for welding and brazing, high 
temperature welding and cutting operations invariably require mixtures of 
gaseous fuels with oxygen. Since oxygen is typically supplied from high 
pressure cylinders, such welding systems are seldom portable or easily 
transportable because of the generally large sizes and heavy weights of 
the high pressure oxygen cylinders. 
Small units have been developed to accommodate the needs of artisans in the 
field and hobbyists. Some of thee units have been described as autogenous 
because, during operation, they are self-sustaining and provide both the 
gaseous fuel as well as oxygen, which is self-generated. 
Autogenous units typically use a low pressure source of combustible gas 
such as butane or propane cartridges. However, these units in addition, 
incorporate a small oxygen generating plant which typically decomposes 
hydrogen peroxide. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,235, a portable 
welding apparatus is described for welding by means of an oxygen-gas 
flame. However, since the oxygen generator yields low pressure oxygen, the 
method used for increasing the pressure of the oxygen to a level 
compatible with the fuel delivery pressure is to connect the fuel supply 
to the oxygen generator. However, such a system is not truly autogenous 
since the pressurization of the system depends on an external source such 
as from a pump, a pressure cylinder or, as noted, a gas source. Where a 
gas source is used, the use of a combustible gas to pressurize the 
hydrogen peroxide creates a potentially hazardous condition. Thus, while 
such units have been known, they have not achieved commercial success 
because of their complexity and inconvenience of use and as a result of 
their defects in both operation and in safety of use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a autogenous portable 
welding apparatus which is completely self-sustaining and does not depend 
upon external sources for pressurization. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an autogenous 
portable welding apparatus which is simple and convenient to use for 
welding and oxygen-cutting operations. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an 
autogenous portable welding apparatus which can provide very high welding 
temperatures. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an autogenous 
portable welding apparatus which includes safety features allowing the 
same to be used under varying conditions with complete safety. 
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, as well as other objects 
which will become apparent hereafter, the autogenous portable welding 
apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a container 
for receiving a readily decomposable liquid capable of yielding a 
combustible gas. Conversion means are provided having an input thereof 
connected to the container for receiving the decomposable liquid and for 
effecting conversion at a rate which is a function of the rate of flow of 
the decomposable liquid through the conversion means. Means are provided 
for selectively releasing the combustible gas to a torch. Conduit means 
are provided for transmitting the increased pressures developed at the 
output of the conversion means during the conversion process to the 
container to increase the rate of flow of the decomposable liquid through 
the conversion means. Liquid flow control means are also provided disposed 
between the container and the conversion means for regulating the flow of 
the decomposable liquid through the conversion means as a function of the 
pressure in the container to thereby maintain a desired gas generation 
rate. 
According to a presently preferred embodiment, a fuel-oxygen flame is 
achievable by use of a combustible gas fuel and oxygen derived from the 
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Initial quantities of hydrogen 
peroxide are primed from the hydrogen peroxide container to the conversion 
means. The conduit means feeds back the pressure of the oxygen and the 
output of the conversion means to the hydrogen peroxide container to 
pressurize the same and cause, once primed, increasing quantities of 
oxygen to be produced until the desired level of oxygen production has 
been reached. The liquid flow control means regulates the pressure of the 
oxygen and maintains the same below a maximum predetermined value.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning now to the drawings, in which identical or similar parts are 
designated by the same reference numerals throughout and first referring 
to FIGS. 1 and 2, an autogenous portable welding apparatus in accordance 
with the present invention is shown and designated generally by A. The 
apparatus A includes a combustible gas cartridge 1 which serves as a 
source for any combustible fuel, commercially available, such as methane, 
propane, acetylene or the like. The combustible gas or fuel circuit 
includes a single-direction valve 2 placed in line or conduit 3 which 
connects the cartridge 1 to one of the paths of a welding blow pipe or 
torch 4. The torch is provided with conventional valves 5 and 6 which make 
it possible to selectively regulate both the flow of the combustible gas 
and that of the combustion-supporting gas, namely, oxygen, coming to the 
torch from another line or conduit 7. 
An important feature of the present invention is the oxygen generating 
system, the means for pressurizing the same, and for regulating the 
pressures therein to allow reliable and safe operation. The oxygen 
generating system, in the embodiment A to be described, utilizes hydrogen 
peroxide 8 which is placed in a container 9 preferably made of a 
transparent or translucent material for reasons to be described. The 
container 9 is provided with a threaded opening closed tight by a plug 10. 
Advantageously, a calibrated valve 11 is mounted on the plug 10 for 
reasons to be discussed. A line or conduit 12 leads from the lower part of 
the container 9 for feeding the hydrogen peroxide to a unit 13 which is in 
the nature of an automatic fluid flow regulating valve which regulates the 
liquid flow rate therethrough as a function of fluid pressure. The valve 
13 forms an important feature of the present invention since it 
automatically regulates the pressures within the system and limits the 
pressures to acceptable or desirable levels to render the welding 
apparatus safe and reliable. 
Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the unit 13 has a chamber 14 with which 
line 12 is in fluid flow communication. One of the walls of the chamber 14 
is in the nature of an elastic membrane 15 to which there is attached a 
shank of a conical valve 16 which is configurated and dimensioned to be at 
least partially receivable within an opening 16a which connects the 
chamber 14 with an adjacent chamber 17 which is in fluid flow 
communication with a line or conduit 18 as shown. The conical valve 16 is 
biased axially by a cylindrical helical spring 19 which acts on the 
elastic membrane 15 and restores the same to its normal position when 
fluid pressures in the chamber 14 are reduced. There is advantageously 
provided a pre-stressing means, such as an adjusting screw 20, for 
adjustably setting the restoring forces on the elastic membrane 15. In 
this connection, there may also be provided a calibrated scale for 
providing a visual indication of the operating parameters of the valve 13 
as a function of the screw 20 position. The screw 20 is lodged in chamber 
21 which is placed in free communication with the atmosphere so that the 
elastic membrane 15 is exposed to atmospheric pressure and the biassing 
force of the helical spring 19 on one side thereof, while being exposed to 
the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 14 on the other side thereof. 
Additionally, the chamber 17 is at least partially threaded, as shown, and 
a screw 22 is threadedly meshed therein which is provided with a packing 
material 24 for sealing relationship with the smooth part of the chamber 
17 and for cooperation with the conical valve 16. A handgrip or knob 23 is 
shown supported or mounted on screw 22 for facilitating rotation thereof. 
The regulating valve 13 is mounted on a housing wall 49' to expose the 
handgrip or knob 23 exteriorly thereof. On turning the screw 22 fully 
inwardly into the chamber 17, the conical valve 16 closes the opening 16a 
between the chambers 14 and 17 by blocking the same. Conversely, turning 
the screw outwardly releases the conical valve 16 from the influence of 
the packing 24 and the conical valve is again brought under the influence 
of the spring 19. At low pressures, as suggested, the conical valve shank, 
which is connected to the elastic membrane 15, will move towards the left, 
as viewed in FIG. 3, thereby increasing the effective area of the opening 
16a. This allows a greater flow of hydrogen peroxide in the lines 12, 18. 
As pressure in the fluid and, therefore, in the chamber 14 increases the 
elastic membrane 15 and the shank of the conical valve 16 are urged 
towards the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, against the biassing action of the 
helical spring 19. This causes the conical valve 16 to be at least 
partially received within the opening 16a thereby reducing the effective 
area of the opening and the rate of permissible flow. Ultimately, of 
course, when the pressure in the fluid and in the chamber 14 reach a 
predetermined level, as preselected by the calibrating screw 20, the 
conical valve 16 totally blocks the opening 16a separating the chambers 
14, 17 and the flow of hydrogen peroxide in lines 12-18 is totally 
stopped. 
A unidirectional valve 25 is placed in line or conduit 18 for reasons to be 
discussed. To the outlet of the valve 25 there is connected a line or 
conduit 26 which is also preferably made of a plastic material which may 
include or incorporate therein conversion means or a reaction circuit for 
decomposing the decomposable liquid, in this case hydrogen peroxide. 
Alternately, the conversion device, identified by the reference number 27, 
may be a separate unit which is placed in the fluid path of the line 26. 
In the presently preferred embodiments being described, where a 
decomposable liquid is hydrogen peroxide, the conversion device is the 
nature of a catalytic material in the form of a porous mass which on 
contact with the hydrogen peroxide will cause the liquid to decompose into 
water vapor and oxygen in a well known manner. The catalytic material may, 
for example, consist of galvanically treated lead chips, although other 
catalytic materials may be used with varying degrees of advantages. Where 
the catalytic conversion takes place in a section of the line 26, plugs 28 
(FIG. 4) are advantageously used at each end of the line 26 portion which 
contains the catalytic material, with each plug provided with at least one 
hole of suitable diameter to permit flow of the peroxide through the line 
26 while minimizing the migration of the lead chips within the line 26. 
Since the system initially exhibits low pressures, as to be described, the 
apparatus is provided with a priming arrangement for initially injecting 
quantities of the hydrogen peroxide into the catalytic conversion section 
27 to initiate the conversion process and achieve levels of pressure in 
the container 9 which render the conversion process self-sustaining as to 
be described. Such priming may be by mechanical means, such as a priming 
bulb. However, in the embodiment being described, the priming is achieved 
by disposing the section of tube 26 and the catalytic material 27 at a 
level in relation to the container 9 so that the hydrogen peroxide flows 
into the catalytic section 27 by the action of gravity. As will become 
evident hereafter once the oxygen generating plant has been primed and 
conversion has proceeded to bring the system to normal operating 
conditions, the pressures developed in the system are sufficient to 
maintain the operation on a continuous basis without additional priming. 
The terminal part of the line 26 on the output side of the catalytic 
section 27 discharges into the intermediate zone of a container 30 which 
is likewise preferably of plastic material which is transparent or 
translucent for reasons to be described. The container 30 is provided at 
its undersurface with a discharge valve or cock 31 for discharge of 
condensation liquid collected in the container. The container 30 is 
advantageously provided with an internal projection or deflecting member 
32 which is provided at the point of entry of the line 26 as shown for 
diverting the water vapor and oxygen released at the output of the 
catalytic section 27. The projection or deflecting member 32 creates a 
turbulence of the water vapor and, by increasing the flow path thereof, 
assists in cooling the water vapor and results in some of the water vapor 
being condensed. The container 30, therefore, acts as a collecting tank 
for the condensed water vapor. 
A line 33 is placed in fluid flow communication with the collecting tank or 
container 30 above the projection or deflecting member 32 and is connected 
to a rigid tube 34 which empties into the top of the hydrogen peroxide 
container 9. Advantageously, the container 9 is also provided, at the 
discharge end of the tube 34 with a projection 35 which compels fluid at 
the outlet of the tube 34 to follow a winding course. 
The container 9 is preferably provided with an intermediate pipe union 
sealed by a plug 36, which sealingly receives the input and outlet ends of 
a coil 37 immersed in the hydrogen peroxide mass 8. One end of the coil 37 
is connected to line 38, which departs from the top of the collecting tank 
30, while the other end of the coil 37 is connected to line or conduit 39 
which is in fluid flow communication with a condensation unit generally 
identified by the reference 40. 
The condensation unit 40 includes a container 41 preferably made of a 
plastic material which is transparent or translucent, for reasons to be 
described, and provided with a discharge valve or cock 42 for the 
discharge of condensation liquid. The unit 40 is also provided with a 
number of horizontal division baffles 43 which bear eccentric holes 44 
suitably staggered among themselves. Diaphragms 43 are traversed axially 
with good sealing by tube 45 which is open at its lower end in the 
direction of the bottom of the container 41, and it is connected with its 
upper end to a shunt sleeve 46 to which line 39 and a unidirectional valve 
47 are connected. The unidirectional valve 47 places the oxygen circuit in 
free communication with the atmosphere as soon as a preselected pressure 
has been attained in the oxygen circuit. A unidirectional valve 48 
completes the oxygen circuit and it is preferably placed on the cover of 
the container 41 and connected to line 7 which feeds the blow pipe or 
torch 4. 
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a possible arrangement is shown of the various 
above-described elements or components within a housing 49 which renders 
the unit A easily portable. Housing 49 is provided with a handle 50 and 
equipped with vertical slits 51, 52 and 53 for visualization of the levels 
within containers 41, 30 and 9, respectively, which are arranged in the 
vicinity of these slits. Controls for activating drainage valves 42 and 31 
are provided below slits 51 and 52, respectively. Housing 49 is also 
provided with aeration slits 54 on both the side walls and the bottom wall 
of the housing 49 for enhancing ventilation through the unit and for 
removal of heat radiated therein. 
When line section 26 is used as a reaction circuit by containing, in a 
length thereof, the catalytic material 27, the line section is 
advantageously provided in spiral form as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and is 
kept in position by suitable retainers 55 proximate to the ventilating 
slits mentioned, indicated with the reference numeral 54', to allow 
efficient removal of heat from the catalytic conversion material which is 
the subject of the greatest heating and for separating such catalytic 
material 27 from other components of the system which may become damaged 
from excessive heat. 
Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the hydrogen peroxide container 9 is 
shown locked in position by its own plug 10 which rests against the wall 
of the housing 49. The collecting tank or container 30 can be locked in 
position in the same manner by providing a small threaded plug 156 which 
can be screwed onto a threaded portion 56 shown in FIG. 1. 
The condensation container 41 is attached to the front of the housing 49 by 
the unidirectional valve 48 and by the body of the bottom discharge valve 
or cock 42. The body of the fluid regulating valve 13 is attached to the 
same front panel or wall of the housing 49. Unidirectional valve 2 is also 
mounted, preferably in the vicinity of the valve 48, so that lines 3 and 
7, which feed the blow pipe or torch 4 can be collected as a bundle. 
To facilitate replacement of cartridge 1, the cartridge can, for example, 
be placed in a small compartment formed by a partition 44 located at the 
rear of the housing 49 and in which the cartridge itself may be held by 
any suitable means such as by an elastic band 45. 
The operation of the welding apparatus A will now be described. 
Before the unit is turned on, or while the unit is at rest, the gaseous 
fuel and oxygen valves 5 and 6 are closed and the screw 22 of the 
regulating valve 13 is screwed inwardly so that the conical valve 16 
closes the opening 16a between chambers 14 and 27 thereby preventing the 
flow of hydrogen peroxide from the container 9 to the catalytic conversion 
unit 27. There is no production of oxygen under these conditions. 
To commence the conversion process and, therefore, the generation of 
oxygen, it is sufficient to unscrew screw 22 sufficiently to remove the 
same from the region where it may influence the position of the conical 
valve 16. The spring 19 thereupon urges the conical valve 16 to move out 
of blocking relationship with respect to the opening 16a thereby placing 
chambers 14, 17 in communication with each other. Initially, prior to 
conversion of hydrogen peroxide, the hydrogen peroxide contained in 
container 9 begins to flow, as a result of gravitational forces, through 
line 12, the regulating valve 13, line 18, valve 25 and line 26 where it 
is ultimately brought into contact with the catalytic material 27. Such 
priming of the system by selective positioning of the container 9, the 
line 12, the regulating valve 13 and the catalytic material 27 is a 
presently preferred arrangement for priming the system. However, it should 
be evident that priming by other means, such as by mechanical means, is 
also possible. Well known priming devices, such as deformable bulbs placed 
in tandem with the line to be primed, may be used. 
Exposure of the hydrogen peroxide to the catalytic material 27 gives rise 
to an exothermal reaction which produces oxygen and water vapor. The 
temperature of the catalytic material 27 increases substantially, with 
most of the heat being radiated into the ambient atmosphere as well as 
being diverted to the mass of the housing 49 by means of heat sinks or 
conductive retainers 55. 
The water vapor resulting from the conversion reaction enters container or 
collecting tank 30, where it undergoes a first condensation which is aided 
by the diverting effect exerted by the baffle or projection 32. 
As the conversion process continues, the pressure increases in the 
collecting tank or container 30. Line 33 and tube 34 feed back the 
pressure in container 30 to the hydrogen peroxide container 9, thereby 
equilizing the pressures therebetween. The increased pressures exerted by 
the oxygen circuit within the hydrogen peroxide container 9 forces 
hydrogen peroxide to flow through line 12 at an increased rate and enter 
the reaction or conversion section 27. The pressure of the oxygen produced 
by the system thus increases rapidly to reach a predetermined operating 
value. 
The hot and still moist oxygen accumulating in container 30 discharges from 
the latter through line 38 through coil 37, wherein it exchanges a 
substantial part of its own heat with mass 8 of the hydrogen peroxide, 
which disperses it through the container 9. The oxygen and the remaining 
water vapors are then forced through line 39 and tube 45 into the lower 
part of the condensation unit 40. Here, the gases emerge following a 
winding course through the holes 44 of diaphragm 43, undergoing a further 
effective cooling step. At this stage, most of the water vapor has been 
sufficiently cooled to condense, the mostly pure oxygen passing from the 
condensation unit 40 through unidirectional valve 48 in line 7 to blow 
pipe or torch 4 where Flame F has been shown to be ignited as a result of 
the opening of the valve 5 which controls the flow of combustion gas 
coming from the source or gas cartridge 1. By suitably adjusting the valve 
6, it is possible to regulate the rate of oxygen that flows to the flame 
and, therefore, to adapt the latter to the requirements of a particular 
application. 
An important feature of the present invention is that if the pressure in 
the oxygen production circuit exceeds the predetermined operating value, 
such as when the valve 6 is closed, the hydrogen peroxide regulating valve 
13 automatically intervenes, and adversely proportionally reduces the 
quantity of hydrogen peroxide allowed to flow into the reaction circuit or 
catalytic conversion unit 27. In this manner, the pressure of the oxygen 
produced never exceeds a maximum safety value. As noted previously, it 
becomes clear that if a pressure is produced in chamber 14 which exceeds 
the back pressure exerted by spring 19, the flexible member 15 is deformed 
and is displaced to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, compressing spring 19 
and valve 16 limits the flow of hydrogen peroxide between lines 12 and 18. 
It is possible to provide an instrument in association with the 
registration screw 20 for direct visualization of the pressure existing in 
the oxygen production circuit, such calibrated instrument or scale making 
it possible to vary the pressure in the oxygen circuit as desired by 
acting on the screw. 
In any case, if an abrupt and abnormal increase in pressure takes place, 
valve 11 intervenes, discharging the excess pressure itself into the 
atmosphere. 
Unidirectional valve 25 performs a number of functions. Firstly, it 
prevents a feed-back of pressure towards the fluid regulating unit 13, 
thereby protecting the latter from contact with solid material particles 
which may be released by the catalytic converter unit 27. This would 
possibly damage the generally delicate unit 13. Additionally, the valve 25 
exerts a continuous dosing on the hydrogen peroxide flowing towards the 
reaction circuit 27. 
The simplicity and safety of use of the equipment according to the present 
invention become evident. No regulating operations are required of the 
operator. The user need only periodically monitor the levels of the 
liquids in containers 9, 30 and 41, discharge the condensates from 
containers 30 and 41 periodically, and restore the level of hydrogen 
peroxide in container 9 when the level falls below a predetermined level. 
To deactivate the equipment, it is sufficient to turn the screw 22 fully 
inwardly and/or close oxygen valve 6. As suggested above, turning in of 
the screw 22 directly terminates the flow of hydrogen peroxide through 
lines 12, 18 by moving the conical valve 16 into a position to block the 
opening 16a between chambers 14, 17. Closing of the oxygen valve 6, on the 
other hand, has the same ultimate effect. Once oxygen is no longer allowed 
to escape through the torch 4, the pressure within the oxygen system 
continues to increase, this increasing the pressures throughout the system 
including the pressures exhibited by the hydrogen peroxide in the chamber 
14 of the regulating valve 13. As described above, such increased 
pressures in the chamber 14 will also cause the conical valve 16 to block 
fluid flow between chambers 14 and 17. 
During the cooling phase of the oxygen-producing plant, a depression will 
gradually tend to be established within the same which could cause a 
dangerous deformation of various components of the circuit itself. 
Unidirectional valve 47 avoids this difficulty, since as soon as the 
pressure within the circuit rises above atmospheric pressure this places 
the circuit itself in free communication with the atmosphere. 
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, another embodiment B of the invention is shown 
which has the capacity of producing greater amounts of oxygen. The 
principle of operation is, however, the same as described for the first 
embodiment A. The second embodiment B includes a catalytic conversion 
member 60 which is generally L-shaped as shown and includes, in addition 
to the previously described catalytic section 21, a portion 64 which may 
include catalytic particles and/or condensation/filtration elements 65. 
The main body portion 27 of the catalytic conversion member advantageously 
includes a metallic heat conductive wall or base 62 which forms flanges 
secured to the housing 49 so as to provide a heat sink for the heat 
generated in the catalytic converter. The line 18 feeds into a line or 
conduit 61 through which the hydrogen peroxide flows into the L-shaped 
catalytic converter 60. The oxygen and water vapor, as before, are 
released at 66 where there is provided a heat exchanger in the nature of 
coil 37a exposed to the ambient air. The coil 37a feeds into the 
collecting tank or container 30' at 68. The water which condenses within 
the tank 30' is collected at the bottom of the tank as before. However, 
there is now also provided a conduit 69 which opens within the container 
30' and feeds a second heat exchanger in the nature of a coil 37a' which 
is also exposed to the ambient air. The coil 37a' is connected in tandem 
with the coil 37a as well as with coils 37 and 37' which are supported 
within plugs 36 and 36' and immersed in the hydrogen peroxide mass 8 as 
shown. 
The output of the coil 37' feeds, by means of line 39, condensation units 
40 and 40' which are also connected in tandem. The provision of the 
additional cooling coils 37a, 37a', 37 and 37', as well as the increased 
numbers of condensation units provides additional cooling and condensation 
for the increased amount of water vapor generated in the larger L-shaped 
catalyst 60. Proportionally larger quantities of oxygen, of course, are 
also released during the conversion process. 
The volumetric decrease in conversion from hydrogen peroxide to water is 
approximately 80%. The collecting tanks or containers 30' must, therefore, 
be dimensioned to accommodate the anticipated quantity of water 
condensate. Since the quantity of hydrogen peroxide should not drop below 
the levels of the cooling coils which are immersed therein, for safety 
reasons, the collecting tanks or containers 30' should be sufficently 
large to receive a volume of water equal to approximately 80% of the 
volume of hydrogen peroxide situated above the highest cooling coil, such 
as coil 37 in FIG. 6. In FIGS. 6 and 7, means are provided for 
pressurizing the oxygen circuit at the output of the catalyst 27 to 
thereby terminate the conversion process, as described above, whenever the 
level of condensate collected in the tanks or containers 30' rises above a 
selected level. The level selected must be such that condensate is 
prevented from flowing into the cooling circuits, including the output 68 
of the cooling coil 37a or the input 69 of the cooling coil 37a'. In FIG. 
6, the method used for this purpose is a plug 70 moveable with respect to 
the conduit 71 by means of a guide element 72 which guides the same in the 
upward and downward directions. The plug or stopper 70 is made of such a 
material so that buoyant forces raise the stopper upwardly by a rising 
level of condensation and, when the critical level is reached, the stopper 
plugs up the opening of the conduit 71 thereby preventing further escape 
of oxygen and water vapor out of the tank or container 30'. This causes 
increased pressures within the oxygen generating circuit to ultimately 
cause a closure in the hydrogen peroxide path in the fluid regulating 
valve 13 as described above. 
In FIG. 7 an alternate means is shown for terminating operation of the 
apparatus when the condensate level in the container 30' rises above a 
predetermined value. Here, a float 100 is shown which is connected to the 
container 30' for pivoting movements in upward and downward directions. 
When the condensate level rises to the critical point, the pivoting arm of 
the float 100 actuates a fluid switch or valve 46 which closes the fluid 
path to the cooling coil 37a'. 
The section 64 of the catalytic conversion member 60 is also shown in FIG. 
6 to be provided with a T-shaped connector 76 which, on the one hand, 
applies the oxygen and water vapor pressure within the catalytic element 
60 to the container 9 by means of line or conduit 33 and rigid tube 34. 
The oxygen and water vapor pressure within the catalytic converter member 
60 is also communicated to a blow-off valve 11 and to a pressure gauge G 
by means of T-shaped connector 79 and conduit 80. 
It will be clear that any hydrogen peroxide anywhere within the L-shaped 
catalytic converter will be converted into water vapor and oxygen. 
Additionally, any water within the catalytic converter will, because of 
the high temperatures reached in the converter, be converted into steam 
and expelled either through the line 33 or at 66 into the tandem cooling 
coils as described. 
Referring to FIGS. 8-11, there is shown a possible arrangement of the 
elements which have been described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. 
Because the embodiment B is a higher capacity unit, utilizing greater 
quantities of oxygen and fuel gas, the gas tank 1 is preferably mounted 
exteriorly of the housing 49' as shown. Otherwise, the exterior controls 
and visual indicating features are the same as with the previously 
described embodiment A. 
Generally, the smaller units A have a maximum capacity of approximately 250 
liters of oxygen per hour while the maximum capacity of the larger units B 
is approximately 1000 liters of oxygen per hour. With both units A and B 
flame temperatures as high as 3100.degree. C. can be obtained when using 
acetylene and therefore it is possible to weld iron to iron. Using propane 
and other LPG fuels average flame temperatures of 2700.degree. 
C.-2850.degree. C., suitable for cutting, brazing and heating, can be 
achieved. Typically 1 kg. of hydrogen peroxide can yield 300 IT calories 
continuously for approximately 45 minutes. With 8 kg. hydrogen peroxide 
tanks, for example, with 5.5 kg. used for cooling (level up to highest 
cooling coil 37) and 2.5 kg. used for consumption, the welding process can 
proceed continuously for almost two hours. The cutting capacity of the 
larger units is approximately 20 mm. max. while with the smaller units the 
cutting capcity is up to 10 mm. max. 
Suitable pressure reducers (not shown) may be used for various types of gas 
cartridges or cylinders and should be adjusted from a minimum of 0.5 to 
0.6 Atm. (BAR) max. The equal pressure design virtually eliminates the 
possibility of back-fire. 
The maximum oxygen pressure achievable is a function of the size of the 
catalytic section 27 as well as the settings of the screw 20. On the 
larger units oxygen pressures of 2.5 Atm. (BAR) max. are possible. 
It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying 
drawings have been given only by way of illustration and example, and that 
alterations and changes in the present disclosure, which will be readily 
apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope 
of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which 
follow. 
Thus, while the embodiments described include a supply of fuel which is 
mixed with the generated oxygen to provide an oxygen-gas flame, the 
invention also contemplates the use of a decomposable liquid which is 
capable of yielding any combustible gas which may or may not be combined 
with an additional gaseous product emmanating from a source integrated 
within the system. The generation of oxygen and the mixing of the oxygen 
with fuel from a supply forming part of the system is a special case and 
an example of the broader applicability of the present invention which is 
defined in the claims that follow.