Patent GB-1354395-A (GB)
Title: Semi-atuomatic welding apparatus
IPC: B23K9/32
Filed: 1971-10-20
Abstract: 1354395 Welding by fusion TWECO PRODUCTS Inc 20 Oct 1971 48813/71 Heading B3R [Also in Division H1] In a gas shielded, consumable wire electrode, arc welding apparatus, a single cable 18 connects shielding gas (such as argon or helium), electrode wire, welding current and control current therefor between a current, gas and wire feed means 250, together with control means, not shown, and a welding gun 20, the cable assembly being connected to the means 250 by way of a quick-release plug and socket connection 16, 14. The cable 18 comprises a heavy insulative cover 117 surrounding a welding current conductor 115, together with two insulated, preferably helically wound, control wires 98, in turn surrounding a cable insulator and gas hose 112, in turn surrounding, so as to leave a gas channel, a removable and replaceable gas seal covered flexible electrode wire conduit 44, e.g. of helical wire. The plug 16 comprises a two-part casing 53 receiving a plug pin 56, a control wire connector 58, and, via a heavy sleeve 110 and a retaining hose clamp (108), one end of the cable 18. A connector block 55 comprises set screws (73) which clamp the welding current conductor 115 and plug pin 56 together via a separator (72). The plug pin 56 comprises a gas hose adaptor (79), gas sealed transverse gas admission openings (85) and a gas sealed wire conduit connector 77. The connector 58 comprises a terminal block screw-connected to the control wires 98 and having pins receiving a socket 103 connected to a control means connectible plug 105. The plug pin 56 is received, and retained by a lock pin 51, within a housing 22 of the socket 14. Said housing receives shielding gas, electrode wire and welding current respectively via a hose 38, an adaptor plug 26 and a cable clamp 28. The gun comprises a handle 121 and a barrel 122. The handle comprises a two-part casing 124 housing a switch 127 and receiving one end of the barrel 122 and, via a grommet 119, the other end of the cable 18. The barrel comprises a curved, electrically conductive, tube 171 having an insulating cover 178. At its rear end, the tube 171 is provided with a hose adaptor 173 and is clamped to the welding current conductor 115 via a connector block 126 substantially identical to that 55. The switch 127 comprises a pivoted trigger 143 serving, when upwardly pulled into its " ON " position to press together, against a casing projection 115, contact members 146, 148 connected to the control wires 98. A spring-returned sliding latch 156 may be actuated to retain the trigger in its " ON " position. The forward end of the barrel tube 171 is internally and externally threaded respectively to receive a gas diffuser 181 and a gas nozzle insulating and retaining sleeve 185. The latter has friction rings 207 for adjustable retention thereon of a gas nozzle 186. Internal slots and radial holes in the diffuser 181 and a space between the diffuser and the sleeve 185 are provided for gas flow from the cable into the nozzle. A contact tube 183 is screwed into the forward end of the diffuser 181. The shielding gas serves also as a gun coolant. In the " ON " position of the trigger, the electrode wire, welding current and gas are concurrently fed to the gun.