US3671707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater welding device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-16
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1991-03-16
Abstract
Abstract An elongated viewing tube tapering from an enlarged viewing window mounting end to a narrower nozzle connected end. The nozzle includes a straight passage therethrough which defines a continuation of the viewing tube, and a branch passage which receives the electrode. Inert gas is introduced into the viewing tube adjacent the viewing window and moves through the viewing tube so as to meet with the gas from the torch tip at the weld puddle at which point the water is blown out of the end of the device so as to provide a clear view of the welding operation. An internal light is provided within the viewing tube and the outer end of the nozzle includes a flexible skirt which assists in excluding water.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Cunningham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:29
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In an underwater welding device, an elongated viewing tube, a nozzle at one end of said viewing tube, said nozzle having an open base end, a viewing window at the second end of said viewing tube, means for positioning welding equipment within said nozzle with an electrode exposed through the open base end, and means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water, said viewing tube and nozzle defining a straight viewing passage from the viewing window to the electrode accommodating base end, an angularly directed branch passage forming portion on said nozzle, said branch passage forming portion accommodating and enabling a mounting of welding equipment laterally of the defined straight view passage, the means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water comprising a gas tube communicated with the viewing tube adjacent the second end thereof, said gas tube extending therefrom to a gas supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In an underwater welding device, an elongated viewing tube, a nozzle at one end of said viewing tube, said nozzle having an open base end, a viewing window at the second end of said viewing tube, means for positioning welding equipment within said nozzle with an electrode exposed through the open base end, and means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water, said viewing tube and nozzle defining a straight viewing passage from the viewing window to the electrode accommodating base end, an angularly directed branch passage forming portion on said nozzle, said branch passage forming portion accommodating and enabling a mounting of welding equipment laterally of the defined straight view passage, the means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water comprising a gas tube communicated with the viewing tube adjacent the second end thereof, said gas tube extending therefrom to a gas supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the water is purged utilizing an inert gas introduced both through the gas tube and the equipment accommodating branch passage forming portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 including a light mounted within said viewing tube for illuminating the weld site at the base end of the nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said viewing tube is longitudinally tapered from a greater cross-sectional area at the second end thereof to a lesser cross-sectional area at the first end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 including a flexible water excluding skirt surrounding the base end of the nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 3 including conductor wires for said light, said conductor wires extending through said gas tube for a communication with the light interiorly within said viewing tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1 including a light mounted within said viewing tube for illuminating the weld site at the base end oF the nozzle, and conductor wires connected to said light for the supplying of power thereto, said conductor wires extending through said gas tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an underwater welding device, an elongated viewing tube, a nozzle at one end of said viewing tube, said nozzle having an open base end, a viewing window at the second end of said viewing tube, means for positioning welding equipment within said nozzle with an electrode exposed through the open base end, and means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water, said viewing tube and nozzle defining a straight viewing passage from the viewing window to the electrode accommodating base end, the means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water comprising a gas tube communicated with the viewing tube adjacent the second end thereof, said gas tube extending therefrom to a gas supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an underwater welding device, an elongated viewing tube, a nozzle at one end of said viewing tube, said nozzle having an open base end, a viewing window at the second end of said viewing tube, means for positioning welding equipment within said nozzle with an electrode exposed through the open base end, and means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water, said viewing tube and nozzle defining a straight viewing passage from the viewing window to the electrode accommodating base end, the means for purging the interior of the viewing tube and nozzle of water comprising a gas tube communicated with the viewing tube adjacent the second end thereof, said gas tube extending therefrom to a gas supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 8 including a light mounted within said viewing tube for illuminating the weld site at the base end of the nozzle, and conductor wires connected to said light for the supplying of power thereto, said conductor wires extending through said gas tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |