US3767890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for fabricating gas pressurized hollow spheres
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for joining two identical flanged hollow hemispheres while exposed to an inert gas under pressure to produce a hollow sphere containing pressurized gas. The hemispheres are supported within a pressurized chamber with flanges butting, and rotated so that the flanged portion passes adjacent a welding electrode which effects a welded seam and produces a hermetically sealed sphere containing a gas under pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr B Madden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/02; B23K9/028; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49893
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for joining two identical flanged hollow hemispheres while exposed to an gas thus forming a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized gas comprising: a chambered vessel being open at one end; meanS to close and seal said open end of the vessel; an electrode mounted in the wall of said vessel with the operative tip positioned in the vessel chamber, said electrode being electrically insulated from the vessel; means positioned in said vessel chamber for supporting said hemispheres with the flanges in an abutting relationship and properly spaced from the electrode, said means adapted to rotate the hemispheres past the electrode; means to evacuate air from within said sealed vessel; means to pressurize the chamber within said sealed vessel, and; means to activate said electrode; wherein the flanges are welded to effect a continuous gas tight joint.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for joining two identical flanged hollow hemispheres while exposed to an gas thus forming a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized gas comprising: a chambered vessel being open at one end; meanS to close and seal said open end of the vessel; an electrode mounted in the wall of said vessel with the operative tip positioned in the vessel chamber, said electrode being electrically insulated from the vessel; means positioned in said vessel chamber for supporting said hemispheres with the flanges in an abutting relationship and properly spaced from the electrode, said means adapted to rotate the hemispheres past the electrode; means to evacuate air from within said sealed vessel; means to pressurize the chamber within said sealed vessel, and; means to activate said electrode; wherein the flanges are welded to effect a continuous gas tight joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means to close and seal the open end of the vessel is a cap with a lock screw adapted to screw against the exterior surface of said cap securing the same in an hermetical sealing relationship with the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for supporting said hemispheres comprises a support frame mounted in the chamber of said vessel; a first shaft rotatably positioned in the wall of said vessel and supported in said support frame; means attached to said first shaft and adapted to rotate the same at a suitable rotational velocity; a second shaft rotatably mounted in said support frame in axial and spaced relationship to said first shaft, said second shaft being slidably mounted in said support frame; a spring positioned about said second shaft and adapted to bias the same axially toward the first shaft; and cups attached to the inner adjacent ends of each of the first and second shafts, said cups adapted to hold the flanges of the hemispheres in contiguous abutting relationship operatively adjacent the welding electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 3 wherein: a flange alignment member is positioned about said first shaft and is adapted to align the hemisphere flanges so that they are in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said first shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein: a shroud of adjustable length surrounds the electrode and is attached to tubing through which an inert gas is directed into said shroud and against the hemisphere flanges thus pressurizing said vessel chamber and providing adjustable temperature control of the molten material, said shroud being fabricated of a high temperature resistant material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device as defined in claim 5 wherein a pair of electrodes are angularly positioned in the wall of said vessel with the tips thereof adjacent the lower end of said shroud to provide a source of heat for welding the abutting flanges of hemispheres fabricated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of joining two identical thin walled flanged hollow hemispheres while exposed to an inert fluid under pressure thus forming a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized fluid comprising: supporting a pair of said hemispheres in the sealed chamber of a hollow vessel with the hemisphere flanges in abutting relationship; postioning a welding electrode adjacent said hemispheres; hermetically sealing said vessel with a cap over one end thereof; subjecting the chamber interior and abutting hemispheres therein to pressure reduction so as to extract all possible air from both the hemispheres and chambers; pressurizing said chamber with an inert fluid; and energizing said electrode to weld said hemispheres thus producing a hollow sphere containing pressurized fluid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of joining two identical thin walled flanged hollow hemispheres while exposed to an inert fluid under pressure thus forming a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized fluid comprising: supporting a pair of said hemispheres in the sealed chamber of a hollow vessel with the hemisphere flanges in abutting relationship; postioning a welding electrode adjacent said hemispheres; hermetically sealing said vessel with a cap over one end thereof; subjecting the chamber interior and abutting hemispheres therein to pressure reduction so as to extract all possible air from both the hemispheres and chambers; pressurizing said chamber with an inert fluid; and energizing said electrode to weld said hemispheres thus producing a hollow sphere containing pressurized fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 7 wherein: said hemispheres are aligned with the flanges positioned adjacent the welding electrode prior to energizing said electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein: said abutting hemisphere flanges are rotated past the welding electrode while said electrode is being energized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said inert fluid is a gas.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of joining two identical thin walled flanged hollow hemiSpheres to form a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized fluid comprising: inserting a solid pellet in the interior of said abutting hemispheres, said pellet to become a gas at the gasification temperature of the pellet employed; supporting said hemispheres in the sealed chamber of a hollow vessel with the hemisphere flanges in abutting relationship; positioning a welding electrode adjacent said hemispheres; and energizing said electrode to weld said hemispheres thus producing a hollow sphere containing pressurized fluid.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of joining two identical thin walled flanged hollow hemiSpheres to form a thin wall hollow sphere containing a pressurized fluid comprising: inserting a solid pellet in the interior of said abutting hemispheres, said pellet to become a gas at the gasification temperature of the pellet employed; supporting said hemispheres in the sealed chamber of a hollow vessel with the hemisphere flanges in abutting relationship; positioning a welding electrode adjacent said hemispheres; and energizing said electrode to weld said hemispheres thus producing a hollow sphere containing pressurized fluid.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |