US3994429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Purge unit for welding apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-07-21
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1995-07-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a purge unit for establishing a closed zone for an inert gas around a weld area. The purge unit is particularly adapted for use where a branch pipe is welded to a main pipe or header. The purge unit is inserted into an opening in the header and is then expanded to establish the closed zone around the inside of the weld area. An inert gas, in a volume much less than otherwise required, is then supplied through the unit into the zone to cover or blanket the inside of the weld area. After the weld is complete, the purge unit can be collapsed and withdrawn through the opening so as not to leave any material within the header which might cause contamination.
Inventors
- 👤 Emerson J. Hallenbeck
- 👤 Donald C. Boucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:30
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/32; B23K9/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone around a weld area, said unit comprising an elongate member having passage means to supply purge gas to the enclosed zone, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage a surface of a workpiece around the weld area to establish the enclosed zone, said expandable member having an inner wall and an outer wall with the space between said inner and outer walls communicating with said passage means in said elongate member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone around a weld area, said unit comprising an elongate member having passage means to supply purge gas to the enclosed zone, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage a surface of a workpiece around the weld area to establish the enclosed zone, said expandable member having an inner wall and an outer wall with the space between said inner and outer walls communicating with said passage means in said elongate member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone around a weld area, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage a surface of a workpiece around a weld area to establish the enclosed zone, and resilient means mounted on said elongate member and having unstressed positions along said elongate member, said resilient means being connected to said expandable member to urge said expandable member toward said elongate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone around a weld area, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage a surface of a workpiece around a weld area to establish the enclosed zone, and resilient means mounted on said elongate member and having unstressed positions along said elongate member, said resilient means being connected to said expandable member to urge said expandable member toward said elongate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, flexible, expandable means connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member having passage means to supply purge gas to the enclosed zone, and said elongate member and said flexible, expandable means having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, flexible, expandable means connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member having passage means to supply purge gas to the enclosed zone, and said elongate member and said flexible, expandable means having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member and said expandable member having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening, and resilient means mounted on said elongate member and having unstressed positions along said elongate member, said resilient means being connected to said expandable member to urge said expandable member toward said elongate member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member and said expandable member having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening, and resilient means mounted on said elongate member and having unstressed positions along said elongate member, said resilient means being connected to said expandable member to urge said expandable member toward said elongate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member and said expandable member having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening, and means associated with a portion of said elongate member adjacent the branch connection for forming a seal between said elongate member and the branch connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
An inert gas purge unit for establishing an enclosed zone within a header or the like having an opening to which a branch connection or the like is to be welded, said unit comprising an elongate member, a flexible, expandable member connected to said elongate member and having an edge portion adapted to engage the inner surface of the header around the opening to establish an inner enclosed zone around the weld area around the opening, said elongate member and said expandable member having a transverse dimension, when collapsed, which is smaller than a passage in said connection and said opening, and means associated with a portion of said elongate member adjacent the branch connection for forming a seal between said elongate member and the branch connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A purge unit according to claim 1 characterized by said inner wall having openings positioned to communicate with the enclosed zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A purge unit according to claim 1 characterized by said expandable member being of generally cone-shaped configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A purge unit according to claim 7 characterized by said edge portion of said cone-shaped member having a heat-resistant, flexible flange thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A purge unit according to claim 2 characterized by said resilient means comprising a plurality of resilient members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A purge unit according to claim 9 characterized by a sleeve mounted on said elongate member and being effective to urge said resilient members outwardly away from said elongate member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A purge unit according to claim 3 characterized by said expandable means having an inner wall and an outer wall with the space between said inner and outer walls communicating with said passage means in said elongate member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A purge unit according to claim 11 characterized by said inner wall having openings communicating with the enclosed zone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A purge unit according to claim 3 characterized by said expandable means being of generally cone-shaped configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A purge unit according to claim 13 characterized by said edge portion of said cone-shaped means having a heat-resistant, flexible flange thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A purge unit according to claim 4 characterized by said resilient means comprising a plurality of resilient members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A purge unit according to claim 15 characterized by a sleeve mounted on said elongate member and being effective to urge said resilient members outwardly away from said elongate member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A purge unit according to claim 16 characterized by means associated with said sleeve for forming a seal between said sleeve and the branch connection.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A purge unit according to claim 5 characterized by said seal-forming means comprises a collar nut engageable with said elongate member adjacent the branch connection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |