Erico International Corporation

Robert McPherson, Jr

Curtis R Stidham

Richard E Singer

Thomas M Dedo

Michael A Spychola

An exothermic welding jig, molds for the jig, and a method of forming and manipulating the mold parts is disclosed. Upper and lower mold parts are included with a crucible fitted on and clamped to the upper mold part. The upper mold part and crucible may be moved as a unit to open and close the mold and also inverted when open for cleaning and inspection. The crucible can quickly be removed or snapped in place for mold or crucible change out. The jig will fit in cramped quarters and has a handle which may be used as a cane or supporting device. A toggle opens and closes the mold set and will hold the molds at any position where released. A mold system with diagonal sleeving makes it easier to form X-connections and other connections in tight or restrictive locations. The method includes the attachment and manipulative steps.

Exothermic welding jig, molds therefor and method

An exothermic welding apparatus and method uses a crucible which can be used with a variety of exothermic weld metal material volumes to produce welds of different sizes while maintaining the desired diameter to height ratio for each volume of exothermic material. In one embodiment, the crucible includes a double or two stage cavity. The crucible includes a somewhat smaller lower stage which reduces the diameter for smaller volumes. This lower stage may have two disk seats to isolate the two stages from the tap hole. A disk seat is provided for a larger disk between the two stages. The crucible may include a volume of exothermic material in the smaller lower chamber, the larger upper chamber, or a combination of both. In a triple stage embodiment, a wider variety of exothermic material volumes or masses may be accommodated, all while maintaining the desired diameter to height ratio for each charge. Although the desired ratio is approximately one, the ratio range should be maintained from about 0.5 to about 1.4, and no more than 2. The invention enables crucibles and molds to be used more economically and efficiently with the same crucible being useful in a wide variety and sizes of connections, all with a quality low impedance weld.

Exothermic welding crucible and method

Exothermic welding apparatus includes a toggle frame jig for supporting vertically split molds. The toggle includes a post projecting parallel to the main pivot of the jig on which telescopes a crucible support. The crucible support includes a handle extending above the crucible when secured to the support. A quick acting toggle connects the support and post enabling the crucible to be assembled, cleaned, or prepared remote from the molds and then quickly installed and locked in position.

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Aurora, OH, United States of America

Robert McPherson, Jr