초록 ▼

The invention provides a generic shield that can be used in welding, surfacing and cladding operations. These operations can be performed with either high power density processes such as lasers and out of vacuum electron means or arc assisted processes and plasma welding and/or cladding systems. The

The invention provides a generic shield that can be used in welding, surfacing and cladding operations. These operations can be performed with either high power density processes such as lasers and out of vacuum electron means or arc assisted processes and plasma welding and/or cladding systems. The shield physically isolates the shielded region from the surrounding area by providing a zone of inert gas over the work area. As a result, the shield is functionally made to resemble a chamber which moves over the substrate.

대표청구항 ▼

A shielding apparatus for metal processing operations comprising: a housing having an enclosed upper region with a central bore therethrough which bore defines a conduct for the application of metal processing thermal excitation onto a selected location of a workpiece; said housing defining at least

A shielding apparatus for metal processing operations comprising: a housing having an enclosed upper region with a central bore therethrough which bore defines a conduct for the application of metal processing thermal excitation onto a selected location of a workpiece; said housing defining at least a first chamber about said central bore, through which inert gas is introduced to flood an area defined by said first chamber surrounding the selected location of the workpiece for metal processing; a second exhaust chamber diposed about a perimeter defined by said first chamber and defining a negative pressure region for the removal of smoke or the like resulting from the metal processing operation; a skirt comprising a flexible material disposed about the perimeter defined by said first chamber, said skirt physically isolating said first chamber in which inert gas is introduced from the second exhaust chamber and depending from the perimeter defined by said first chamber so as to cooperate with the workpiece directly below said housing first chamber to substantially enclose the selected location for metal processing; a cooling means disposed in said first chamber about said central bore; and a plasma suppression nozzle disposed proximate said central bore to provide a high velocity off-axis jet of inert gas to forcibly blow away superheated vapors and gas from the selected location.