Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-18
2004-02-10
Valentine, Donald R. (Department: 1742)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S230800, C204S240000, C204S241000, C204S274000, C204S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06689259
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to gas welding machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to gas welding machines using a generator to produce gas needed for welding by electrolyzation.
2. Background of the Invention
Welding equipment typically consists of a torch which is connected by hoses to two tanks containing compressed gas. When the two gases are combined at the torch they produce a combustible mixture which is ignited to produce a very hot flame. In order for the tanks to contain enough volume to sustain the flame for a significant period of time, the gases are stored in the tanks at very high pressure. To withstand the pressure the tanks are manufactured from steel and the walls of the tanks need to be very thick to prevent rupturing. These two factors result in tanks which are large, cumbersome and difficult to impossible for a person to carry. What is desired is a gas source which provides a highly combustible mixture and overcomes the size and weight problems associated with tanks.
Numerous innovations for hydrogen & oxygen generator have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,885, titled Extraction Installation for Hydrogen and Oxygen, invented by Yang C. Lin, an electrolytic apparatus for a welding machine is described which uses an electrolytic cell a mixing tank and a multi-control switch. The electrolytic cell is composed of several pieces of electrode plates, which are connected to the positive and negative poles of electrolysis power. After electrolysis, the gas proceeds in a storage tank and the liquid is guided back into the electrolytic cell for recycling use. The fuel gas then goes into the first chamber to get rid of water. In the meantime, part of the fuel gas will be combined with carbohydrate dissolvent to alter its fuel composition and then be recombined with the rest of the gas to provide a desired fuel. This way, the heat of the gas can be heightened, flame temperature can be lowered and the output ratio for the fuel gas can be controlled and adjusted to attain a welding gun's flame within a comprehensive scope of temperature and heat. Furthermore, this invention uses the pressure from a multi-control switch monitoring the process to keep it in a tolerable range to provide safety protection.
The '885 patent is an electrolytic apparatus for a welding machine which uses an electrolytic cell to generate welding gases. The gases are stored in a mixing tank before being processed through a water separator where the excess water is removed. A portion of the gas is then combined with a carbohydrate dissolvent which causes the heat of the gas to be heightened. This modified gas is recombined with the balance of the gas which results in a lower flame temperature. The output ratio for the fuel gas is controlled and adjusted so that the welding gun's flame is operable within a preselected range of temperature and pressure. The present invention is a device, which generates gas by an electrolyzing process. Electrolyte is pumped into the hydrogen-oxygen gas generator where the gas is separated from the electrolyte by applying a direct current voltage across the generator. Oxygen is formed in one part, hydrogen in the other and then combined to form the gas. As the gas is generated, pressure is built up. When the pressure reaches an operating pressure, the gas is pumped via the plumbing system into the electrolyte reservoir, through a filtering process, and stored in a gas reservoir that is connected to a supply line. In operation the supply line is attached to a torch.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,371, titled Oxygen Welding and Incorporating a Novel Gas Separation System, invented by Arnold Z. Gordon and oxygen apparatus is described which is capable of generating its oxygen needs without an external oxygen source from a self-contained solid state electrolytic cell which separates oxygen from the air. The cell employs flexible, ductile ceramic composite of solid electrolyte. The ductile ceramic composite electrolyte comprises a continuous, ordered, repeating, interconnected ductile metallic array substantially surrounded by and intimately integrated within a ceramic matrix. The cell is connected to a power supply so when current is passed through the cell, oxygen or nitrogen is separated from the air passing through the cell.
The present invention differs from the patented invention because the patented invention is an oxygen welding apparatus which is capable of generating its oxygen needs without an external oxygen source from a self-contained solid state electrolytic cell which separates oxygen from the air. The patented invention functions with a flexible, ductile ceramic composite as the solid electrolyte. The present invention functions with a liquid electrolytic, which is pumped into a hydrogen-oxygen gas generator where the hydrogen and oxygen gas is separated from the electrolyte by applying a direct current voltage across the generator. The mechanism for generating the gas is different.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,348, titled Torch with Integral Flashback Arrestors and Check Valves, invented by Carl W. Mimsa and Roger D. Zwicker, a torch which uses oxygen and fuel gas, a first flashback assembly are formed as an integral part of the torch handle. Each flashback assembly includes three primary components as follows: a porous metal flashback arrestor, a retainer and a check valve subassembly. In the preferred embodiment, the porous metal flashback arrestor is mounted on one end of the retainer and the check valve subassembly is held in the other end. In an alternative embodiment, the check valve subassembly is positioned on the interior of the porous metal flashback arrestor. Each flashback assembly can be easily removed and replaced during periodic reconditioning of the torch. The flashback assemblies utilize a parts-in-place principle which precludes operation of the torch unless both flashback assemblies are installed in the torch handle. The porous metal flashback arrestor is designed to reduce the possibility of migration of a flashback upstream from the torch. The check valve subassemblies are designed to reduce the possibility of reverse flow of gas upstream from the torch. This invention does not prevent flashback from occurring; however, it does reduce the possibility of a flashback migrating from the torch into the hose or other components in a typical oxy-fuel cutting, heating, soldering, brazing or welding system.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a torch which uses oxygen and a fuel gas. The patented invention functions to reduce the possibility of a flashback migrating from the torch into the hose or other components in a typical oxy-fuel cutting, heating, soldering, brazing or welding system. The patented invention lacks features similar to the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,656, titled Brown Mar. 28, 1978 Arc-assisted Oxy/hydrogen Welding, invented by Yull Brown, this invention relates to welding, brazing or the like utilizing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen generated in substantially stoichiometric proportions in an electrolytic cell by electrical dissociation of water, the mixture so generated being passed from the generator through a flashback arrestor and thence to a burner where the gases are ignited. The invention also relates to atomic welding in which the above mentioned mixture is passed through an arc causing dissociation of both the hydrogen and oxygen into atomic hydrogen and oxygen which on recombination generate an intensely hot flame.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a welding apparatus which generates hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolytic cell by electrical dissociation of water. The resultant gas which is in stoich
LaPointe Dennis G.
Mason Law, P.A.
Valentine Donald R.
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