Abstract Flux-coated electrodes pressure equalized to an underwater welding depth in contact with a fluid other than water before the electrodes are contacted with water at the welding site are used in wet welding. Flux-coated electrodes are preconditioned by pressurizing them in a fluid other than water to a pressure substantially equal to an underwater pressure where the electrodes are to be used in wet welding. At a location above sea level, placing a plurality of fluxcoated welding electrodes in a water proof container containing a fluid other than water, delivering the container to an underwater welding site with the electrodes in the container substantially pressurized to the pressure at the welding site, and removing the electrodes from the container at the welding site and placing the electrodes in a storage chamber adjacent the welding site, said storage chamber containing a fluid, other than water, at a pressure substantially equal to the underwater pressure at the welding site. An electrode pressure preconditioning container having walls capable of withstanding pressure equal to the pressure at an underwater welding site, a removable closure for closing an opening in the container, a conduit outside the container communicating with the container interior space, and a valve in the conduit.
Inventors
👤 D Anderson
👤 C Grubbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-23 22:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
The method of welding underwater which comprises: placing a flux-coated electrode in a fluid other than water, subjecting the fluid to a pressure substantially equal to the water pressure at a depth where welding is to take place to thereby fill the voids in the flux with the fluid, removing the electrode from the pressurized fluid while the fluid is pressurized to the water pressure at the welding site and placing the electrode, while so pressurized, in contact with the water at the welding site, and making a weld with the electrode in contact with the water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
The method of welding underwater which comprises: placing a flux-coated electrode in a fluid other than water, subjecting the fluid to a pressure substantially equal to the water pressure at a depth where welding is to take place to thereby fill the voids in the flux with the fluid, removing the electrode from the pressurized fluid while the fluid is pressurized to the water pressure at the welding site and placing the electrode, while so pressurized, in contact with the water at the welding site, and making a weld with the electrode in contact with the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fluid is a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 in which the flux has a waterproof covering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 in which the gas is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 in which the electrode is held at the welding site in a storage chamber containing a fluid other than water before being used for welding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 in which the fluid is a gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 in which the gas is air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fluid is a liquid substantially immiscible with water.