Underwater welding
A process is described for arc welding in an under-water environment wherein a welding chamber is positioned adjacent a workpiece, and an arc welding torch is positioned therein. A gas under pressure is introduced into the chamber to displace the water, and a gas is supplied to the torch at a pressure greater than the pressure of the gas in the chamber. The welding torch is of the TIG or constricted-arc (plasma) type. High-amperage, low-voltage power shielding gas under high pressure is supplied through a cable from an electric generator and gas cylinder on a barge. The electric arc is used merely to melt the metal of the workpiece to form the weld puddle. In order to make a butt or other weld, it is necessary to deposit additional metal. Such metal is normally supplied by a filler wire which is fed along its length into the arc zone, where it becomes fused and falls, is sprayed or otherwise enters the weld puddle. (6 claims)
- Assignee:
- BOC International Ltd.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4039798
- OSTI ID:
- 6860692
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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