Patent ID: 6899261

Claim:
Apparatus for brazing a first workpiece of an electrically conducting material to a second workpiece of electrically conducting material by means of a temperature-controlled brazing process in which the heat necessary for brazing is generated by striking an electric arc, the apparatus including: (a) means for engaging a workpiece; (b) a carbon electrode; (c) means for supporting the carbon electrode including means for moving the carbon electrode between a position in which it engages a workpiece in turn engaged by said means for engaging, and a retracted position in which it is lifted therefrom; (d) means for applying a voltage between said workpiece and said carbon electrode, said means for applying a voltage including a voltage-regulating unit; (e) a voltage sensor for measuring said voltage; (f) a current sensor for measuring the electrical current passing through said carbon electrode; (g) processing means including means for generating an output signal controlling said voltage-regulating unit and further including means for calculating, in real time, continuously or continually, the electrical power developed in said arc; (h) switching means operable to connect said means for applying a voltage in electrical circuit with said electrode and with such workpiece whereby, when said means for engaging is applied to a workpiece and the switching means is operated to close said electrical circuit, said means for supporting and moving raises the carbon electrode from the workpiece and an electric arc is struck between the electrode and the workpiece, carbon powder released from the carbon electrode during the brazing process accumulates on the underlying workpiece to form a thin layer on the surface of the workpiece, whereby the electric arc is maintained between two carbon poles, which stabilises said arc and distributes the temperature.