Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Patent
1995-07-13
1997-02-18
Shaw, Clifford C.
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
219 74, 219136, 21913743, B23K 900
Patent
active
056038542
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to me metal-inert gas (MIG) am welding process in which an inert gas is directed around an electrode while effecting arc welding.
BACKGROUND ART
The problem to which this invention is directed relates to build up of spatter during the welding process.
Conventionally, spatter will collect and adhere on all of parts adjacent a welding arc apparatus including a gas cowl and the nozzle through which the continuously feeding metal rod is being directed. Such spatter will build up to interfere with both the welding process and the free exiting of either the consumable metal rod or the free flow of the inert gas.
Many attempts have been made to overcome this problem. The problem is especially serious where this type of welding is used as a part of a robotic welding process so that it becomes very difficult to know when spatter has reduced the welding efficiency and the component parts have to be removed for cleaning.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
I have found a technique which reduces these difficulties with spatter which will be useful for all welding applications where an inert gas is used to blanket an electric arc.
In one form this invention can be said to reside in the method of injecting into an inert gas as it is being supplied to the welding head during the welding process, a liquid selected so that when this substance reaches the weld site it will have the capability to reduce the capacity for any spatter being formed to adhere to adjacent materials.
In preference, the spatter retardant liquid material is injected so that it is substantially dispersed within the inert gas such that it will exit with the inert gas during the welding process.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, inert gas is introduced into a reservoir of the spatter retardant liquid and bubbled through the liquid thereby forming a dispersion or fine mist of the spatter retardant liquid in the inert gas. This method of injecting the spatter retardant liquid into the inert gas is particularly preferred because it appears that only a sufficient quantity of spatter retardant liquid is introduced into the inert gas, thereby avoiding any problems which can occur when an excessive quantity of the liquid is introduced into the inert gas.
The spatter retardant liquid that has been found to be particularly advantageous in this application comprises a mixture of one or more hydrocarbon liquids, preferably a petroleum distillate. In trials material produced by distillation within the range of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. has been found to be suitable. The material commonly available under the name "diesel fuel" is an example of a material suitable for use in the spatter reduction technique of the present invention.
The injection of the spatter retardant liquid into the gas can be achieved by other means, for example, in several trials, I injected a very small quantity of diesel fuel in distributed manner into the gas supply of a MIG welder using a conventionally available device known as a lubricator. This was a prep-air airline lubricator of a type that is conventionally available in engineering and which allows a diesel fuel drip to be injected into the gas line at a rate proportional to the volume of inert gas passing through it, giving a smooth flow of diesel via a combination ball check and metering of valve which automatically adjusts diesel feed according to gas demands from downstream.
A supply of diesel fuel can be kept in a filled bowl with an adjustment allowing for change of the feed rate which is adjusted for each application but once set is constant through the period of an application.
My trials so far have indicated that by the introduction of small quantities of diesel fuel into the gas line in the manner described there results an welding in which spatter simply does not appear to build up at all on the adjacent metal parts of the welding torch.
The gas that I have used this with in the example is argon.
The invention can also reside in the method of welding which compris
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patent: 4609804 (1986-09-01), Kishi et al.
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Derwent Abstract Accession No. 91-279041/38, SU, A, 1600939 Troepolskii V N) 23 Oct. 1990 (23. 10. 90).
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Derwent Soviet Inventions Illustrated, Section 1, Chemical, Issued Dec. 1967, Metallurgy, p. 2, SU 192316 (Troepolskii et al.) 12 Apr. 1967 (12. 04. 67) abstract.
Otavius Pty Ltd.
Shaw Clifford C.
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