General Electric Company

Paul S Mahoney

Henry Peter Offer

Benedict Kazirskis

An apparatus for emitting a laminar flow of inert gas at a location inside a reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) weld groove. The portion of the gas distribution apparatus extending into the groove has a thickness less than the width of the weld groove and distributes inert gas which displaces the ambient atmosphere overlying the molten pool area at the bottom of the weld groove. The gas distribution apparatus may take the form of a tube, a planar array of mutually parallel tubes joined at the sides, a monolithic block having an elongated cross section with a parallel array of channels drilled or machined therein, or a support frame covered by a gas-permeable skin. To achieve a laminar flow, a gas diffusing structure is incorporated in each gas distribution tube. The gas diffusing structures include the following: a compression spring attached to the end of the gas distribution tube and having an opening which is covered by a porous or non-porous cover; a fine-mesh screen which is wrapped around the distal end of the gas distribution tube and having an opening which is closed by a porous closure; a metal wire wool or braided rope which is stuffed inside the tube; or a distal section of the tube is made from porous material and has an opening covered by a porous end cover.

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Largo, FL, United States of America

Paul S Mahoney