US4342897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery type flux feeding assembly
Assignee: Kobe Steel Ltd
•
Filing: 1980-01-28
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Granted: 1982-08-03
•
Expires: 2000-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A recovery type flux feeding assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a virgin flux hopper and a waste flux hopper with a flux feed conduit connected to the bottom of the waste flux hopper. The hoppers are separated by a drop stop which selectively permits flux from the virgin flux hopper to enter the waste flux hopper so that the flux exiting through the flux feed is a mixture of the two. A flux return assembly consists of a flux recovery port positioned adjacent the waste flux from the weld, a cyclone attached to the top of the waste flux hopper and a conduit connecting the two. An air injector injects air into a midpoint of the conduit between the flux recovery port and the cyclone so that the cyclone is kept at a positive pressure and the waste flux therein is not sucked out. Conduits are included between the tops of the hoppers for equalizing the pressures therebetween. In one embodiment, the virgin flux hopper surrounds and is entirely above the waste flux hopper while in another embodiment the two are adjacent and on substantially the same level.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryuji Murai
- 👤 Toshihiko Watanabe
- 👤 Yoji Ogata
- 👤 Masashi Nagashima
- 👤 Mitsurou Soga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:28
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/32; B23K9/324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A recovery type flux feeding assembly comprising: a virgin flux hopper; a waste flux hopper operatively associated with said virgin flux hopper; flux feed means connected to said waste flux hopper for feeding flux to a weld area and positioned above said weld area; flux return means connected to said waste flux hopper for returning excess flux from said weld area to said waste flux hopper; means for selectively permitting flux from said virgin flux hopper to enter said waste flux hopper, said means comprising a virgin flux drop stop positioned between said hoppers and adjacent said flux feed means; and pressure equalization means interconnecting said virgin flux hopper and said waste flux hopper for equalizing pressure therebetween, whereby a mixture of said virgin flux and said waste flux enters said flux feed means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A recovery type flux feeding assembly comprising: a virgin flux hopper; a waste flux hopper operatively associated with said virgin flux hopper; flux feed means connected to said waste flux hopper for feeding flux to a weld area and positioned above said weld area; flux return means connected to said waste flux hopper for returning excess flux from said weld area to said waste flux hopper; means for selectively permitting flux from said virgin flux hopper to enter said waste flux hopper, said means comprising a virgin flux drop stop positioned between said hoppers and adjacent said flux feed means; and pressure equalization means interconnecting said virgin flux hopper and said waste flux hopper for equalizing pressure therebetween, whereby a mixture of said virgin flux and said waste flux enters said flux feed means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The assembly of claim 1, said flux return means further comprising a cyclone wherein said virgin flux hopper surrounds and is located above said waste flux hopper and wherein said drop stop comprises a partition between the bottom of said virgin flux hopper and said waste flux hopper, said partition including apertures formed therein whereby the virgin flux can flow into said waste flux hopper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said pressure equalization means is a conduit extending from said drop stop to the top of said virgin flux hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said hoppers are adjacent one another and said drop stop comprises a partial partition between said hoppers and extending from the point of intersection of said hoppers downwards to a point adjacent said flux feed means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said pressure equalization means comprises a conduit from the top of said waste flux hopper to a point adjacent the top of said virgin flux hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A recovery type flux feeding assembly comprising: a virgin flux hopper; a waste flux hopper operatively associated with said virgin flux hopper; flux feed means connected to said waste flux hopper for feeding flux to a weld area from said waste flux hopper and said virgin flux hopper; a flux recovery port positioned adjacent said weld area; a cyclone communicating with the top of said waste flux hopper; pressure equalization means interconnecting said virgin flux hopper and said waste flux hopper for equalizing pressure therebetween; a conduit connecting said flux recovery port and said cyclone; and air ejector connected to a midpoint of said conduit for supplying air to said cyclone and creating a vacuum between said midpoint and said flux recovery port, whereby said cyclone is maintained at positive pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A recovery type flux feeding assembly comprising: a virgin flux hopper; a waste flux hopper operatively associated with said virgin flux hopper; flux feed means connected to said waste flux hopper for feeding flux to a weld area from said waste flux hopper and said virgin flux hopper; a flux recovery port positioned adjacent said weld area; a cyclone communicating with the top of said waste flux hopper; pressure equalization means interconnecting said virgin flux hopper and said waste flux hopper for equalizing pressure therebetween; a conduit connecting said flux recovery port and said cyclone; and air ejector connected to a midpoint of said conduit for supplying air to said cyclone and creating a vacuum between said midpoint and said flux recovery port, whereby said cyclone is maintained at positive pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 6 including a valve located between said waste flux hopper and said cyclone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 6 including means for selectively permitting flux from said virgin flux hopper to enter said waste flux hopper.
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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) | 1985-08-02 | 1986-02-01 | 1986-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-02 | 1990-02-01 | 1990-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-02 | 1994-02-01 | 1994-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |