Welding arc initiator

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866957

Correy, Thomas B ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

An improved inert gas shielded tungsten arc welder is disclosed of the type wherein a tungsten electrode is shielded within a flowing inert gas, and, an arc, following ignition, burns between the energized tungsten electrode and a workpiece. The improvement comprises in combination with the tungsten electrode, a starting laser focused upon the tungsten electrode which to ignite the electrode heats a spot on the energized electrode sufficient for formation of a thermionic arc. Interference problems associated with high frequency starters are thus overcome.

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Columbus, OH)
• Patent Number(s): US 4829153
• OSTI ID: 866957
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

welding
initiator
improved
inert
gas
shielded
tungsten
welder
disclosed
type
electrode
flowing
following
ignition
burns
energized
workpiece
improvement
comprises
combination
starting
laser
focused
ignite
heats
spot
sufficient
formation
thermionic
interference
associated
frequency
starters
overcome
laser focus
tungsten electrode
inert gas
improvement comprises
improved inert
flowing inert
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