Patent ID: 7673786

Claim:
A system for coupling end portions of two elongated heater portions, comprising: a shield for enclosing the end portions, the shield configured to inhibit oxidation during welding that joins the end portions together, the shield comprising: an elongated tubular body configured to circumferentially surround at least the end portions of the two elongated heater portions, wherein at least a portion of the elongated tubular body comprises a hinged door that, when closed, is configured to form a substantially airtight seal to substantially seal the interior of the shield from the atmosphere, and the hinged door, when open, is configured to allow access to the interior of the shield; an end plate configured to at least partially enclose an end of the tubular body during use, wherein the end plate comprises a hole configured to accept at least one of the two elongated heater portions, and a slot extending between the hole and an edge of the end plate, wherein the slot is configured such that at least one of the two elongated heater portions can be slid laterally through the slot into the hole; and one or more inert gas inlets configured to provide at least one inert gas to flush the interior of the shield with inert gas during welding of the end portions.