US4574172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brazing wand with fiber optic temperature sensor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1984-04-19
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2004-04-19
Abstract
Abstract The brazing wand comprises a hollow helically wound electrically conductive tubular member for conducting an electrical current and for conducting a coolant therethrough. The electrical current is used to heat a member to be brazed while the coolant is used to control the temperature of the brazing wand. The brazing wand also comprises an optical sensing device for determining and controlling the brazing temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Burack
- 👤 Rudolph W. Brachold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:20
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/04; B23K3/047; B23K3/053; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/02; H05B6/36; H05B6/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Internal heating apparatus for use in steam generator heat exchange tubes, comprising: an electrically insulating protective member capable of being disposed in a steam generator heat exchange tube; a hollow electrically conductive tubular member capable of conducting a fluid therethrough and disposed in said protective member, said tubular member having a substantially straight leg and having a portion thereof helically wound around a portion of said straight leg forming an induction coil for heating said tube; a single strand quartz fiber optic cable disposed within said coil for detecting the temperature of said tube a two color pyrometer connected to said fiber optic cable for determining the temperature of said tube; and a power supply electrically connected to said tubular member for supplying an electrical current to said tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Internal heating apparatus for use in steam generator heat exchange tubes, comprising: an electrically insulating protective member capable of being disposed in a steam generator heat exchange tube; a hollow electrically conductive tubular member capable of conducting a fluid therethrough and disposed in said protective member, said tubular member having a substantially straight leg and having a portion thereof helically wound around a portion of said straight leg forming an induction coil for heating said tube; a single strand quartz fiber optic cable disposed within said coil for detecting the temperature of said tube a two color pyrometer connected to said fiber optic cable for determining the temperature of said tube; and a power supply electrically connected to said tubular member for supplying an electrical current to said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises: a tubular electrically insulating material disposed around said straight leg for electrically insulating said straight leg; and a conductive outer tube disposed around a portion of said insulating material and a portion of said straight leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the end of said tubular member opposite said straight leg is formed into a substantially straight portion and attached to the outside of said outer tube forming a coaxial electrical conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the end of said fiber optic cable disposed within said coil is formed into a 45° angle tip for reflecting light along said fiber optic cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said protective member has a bore therein for allowing light to enter and impinge on said fiber optic cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said coil has between approximately 5-25 turns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said coil has between approximately 10-12 turns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said power supply comprises a 20 KW RF induction heating power supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said power supply further comprises a 200-400 KHz power supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said apparatus further comprises a cooling mechanism connected to said tubular member for cooling the fluid conducted therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The internal heating apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said apparatus further comprises a pumping mechanism connected to said tubular member for pumping said fluid through said tubular member.
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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) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |