US4101067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat sink welding and purging apparatus
Assignee: Sloan Purge Products Co Inc
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Filing: 1976-07-23
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1996-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A heat sink welding and purging apparatus for use in the welding of pipe joints for piping to be used with nuclear power systems and the like wherein the weld area must be kept below a temperature at which the dangers of carbide precipitation occur. The various embodiments include expandable heat sink and sealing bladders which are expanded in use to respectively seal the adjacent interiors of the ends of the two pipes to be welded at the adjacent joints. After expanding and sealing the pipe openings, coolant is fed into the interior of the apparatus to cool the joint being welded. Also purging gases may be used to eliminate undesirable atmospheric gases adjacent the weld joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Marlo S. Sloan
- 👤 Arthur B. Renfro, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:15
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K37/00; B23K37/003; B23K31/00; B23K31/02; B23K31/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for heat sinking and purging pipes to be welded for use in nuclear systems and the like, comprising: first means for sealing internally the adjacent ends of two abutting pipes to be welded; and, second means for directing a coolant into the first means for cooling said sealed abutting pipe ends in order to effect a heat sink function in order to keep the temperature of the weld area below that where the dangers of carbide precipitation occur.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for heat sinking and purging pipes to be welded for use in nuclear systems and the like, comprising: first means for sealing internally the adjacent ends of two abutting pipes to be welded; and, second means for directing a coolant into the first means for cooling said sealed abutting pipe ends in order to effect a heat sink function in order to keep the temperature of the weld area below that where the dangers of carbide precipitation occur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means includes inflatable members mountable internally of each of said pipes and expandable by the coolant in order to form a tight seal internally therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second means includes coolant feed lines and coolant return lines associated with the inflatable members in order to cool the pipes adjacent the joint to be welded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure as set forth in claim 3, together with third means for purging the atmosphere in the sealed portion between the inflatable members which is internally of the joint being welded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as set forth in claim 3, together with a coolant compressor connected to the coolant feed lines by quick connect/disconnect couplings, and purge gas source means connected to the space between the inflatable members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first means also includes central support structure for supporting the inflatable members thereon and the associated lines therefor, and also the input for the purging means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A purging and cooling apparatus for use with the welding of cylindrical members, comprising: inflatable means for expandable engagement with the cylindrical members to be welded adjacent the weld joint, and means for adding inflation and coolant medium to the inflatable means for inflating the inflatable means and cooling the area near the weld joint, the inflation and coolant medium being the same fluid material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A purging and cooling apparatus for use with the welding of cylindrical members, comprising: inflatable means for expandable engagement with the cylindrical members to be welded adjacent the weld joint, and means for adding inflation and coolant medium to the inflatable means for inflating the inflatable means and cooling the area near the weld joint, the inflation and coolant medium being the same fluid material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein the inflatable means includes at least two expandable bladder members which when inflated securely engage with the metal surface of the cylindrical members, and at least one inflation-coolant line is provided to each of the bladder members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least one exhaust-coolant line is provided to each of the bladder members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8, together with separate cryogenic coils provided on the bladder members for contact with the metal surface of the cylindrical members, and appropriate input and output lines connected to said coils for feeding a cryogenic medium through the coils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9, together with a purging fluid input means for the space between the two inflatable bladder members in order to purge the atmosphere contained between same and adjacent the weld joint.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the expandable bladder members are each mounted on a central tubular support member and the inflation/coolant lines run inside the central tubular member for ease of installation and operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure as set forth in claim 12, wherein the exhaust/coolant lines also run inside the central tubular member for protection and ease of installation in operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means connected to the inflatable means in order to provide the inflation and coolant medium consists of quick change connect and disconnect couplings between the inflation/coolant lines and the exhaust/coolant lines in order to allow a number of multiple apparatus to be operated from the same coolant compressor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as set forth in claim 12, together with separate purge gas means for applying an inert gas to the area between the two inflated bladder members and the weld joint for the purpose of displacing any combustible and contaminated air contained therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run inside of the central tubular member and supported thereby, and purge gas supply means connected to the external portion of said purge line by quick connect/disconnect coupling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run through one of the bladder members and opening into the weld area, and connected to a source of purge gas by quick connect/disconnect coupling members externally of the pipe end bladder member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the expandable bladder members each have a central tubular support member, and the inflation/coolant lines run inside the central tubular support members for ease of installation and operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure as set forth in claim 18, wherein the exhaust/coolant lines also run inside the tubular support members for protection and ease of installation and operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure as set forth in claim 19, wherein the means connected to the inflatable means in order to provide the inflation and coolant medium consist of quick change connect and disconnect couplings between the inflation/coolant lines and the exhaust/coolant lines in order to allow a multiple number of apparatus to be operated from the same coolant compressor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as set forth in claim 18, together with separate purge gas means for applying an inert gas to the area between the two inflated bladder members and the well joint for the purpose of displacing any combustible and contaminated air contained therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure as set forth in claim 21, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run inside at least one of the tubular support members and supported by same, and purge gas supply means connected to the external portion of said purge line by a quick connect/disconnect coupling.
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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |