Claims:We claim:
1. An apparatus (200) for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single inert gas source (204), comprising:
one inlet portion (204), wherein one end of the inlet portion (204) comprises external threads (210) and a connector (212) for establishing a connection with the single inert gas source (204); and
a sleeve (214) connected to another end of the inlet portion (204) in such a manner that a T-shaped connection is formed between the inlet portion (204) and the sleeve (214), wherein the inlet portion (204) is arranged as a leg of the T-shaped connection, and wherein at both ends of the sleeve (214), the two outlet portions (206, 208) are formed with threads for establishing connections for purging and shield welding, respectively.
2. The apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed from brass.
3. The apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single inert gas source is a cylinder containing an inert gas.
4. The apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inert gas is argon.
5. The apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at each of the two outlet portions (206, 208), a gas regulator (214, 216) along with a rubber hose of each respective purging and shield welding connection is attached.
, Description:APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS DISTRIBUTION OF INERT GAS FROM SINGLE SOURCE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to an apparatus for supplying inert gas to a welding location and, in particular, relates to apparatus for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single source for purging and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding from a single source.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding and some other welding methods, it is desirable to establish an inert atmosphere in the region of the desired weld joint, such as a region between two pipe butt ends. To weld a joint at such region, the pipe ends are typically beveled to a welded angle of about 35° and cleaned. Thereafter, a purge dam apparatus can be installed.
[0004] Next, the pipe inner diameters adjacent the pipe ends are purged. Conventionally, such purging is done in a two-stage operation. During the first stage, prior to welding, an inert purge gas is used to displace the air in the pipe until the gas inside the pipe reaches an acceptably low oxygen level. Without an inert atmosphere in the pipes, the interior surface of the welded joint is subject to oxidation, the inclusion of impurities and incomplete fusion of the pipe edges, particularly with stainless steel pipes. Once the required oxygen level inside the pipe has been achieved, normally 1% or less, a welding operation can be initiated. During the second stage, the purge gas flow rate is reduced for welding to prevent excessive root concavity and to keep the root weld puddle from “blowing out” from too great a back pressure. However, a purge gas flow rate is maintained sufficiently so that the purge maintains a slight positive pressure on the inside of the pipe while the root pass is welded to eliminate air re-entry into the pipe, minimize oxidation of the root surface and produce a smooth bead profile. In addition, during welding, the arc zone is filled with a shielding inert gas to surround the arc and thereby protect the electrode and molten metal from oxidation.
[0005] However, in general, for purging and shielding, separate inert gas cylinders are used during a welding operation. Both cylinders require manual administration during the welding operation, which is very inconvenient and cumbersome process to perform during welding or fabrication of boiler components or materials, such as T91, T23 Super, 304H, T92, P91/92, Stainless steel tubes, and the like.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system or an apparatus that ensures manageable operations of purging and TIG welding.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to ensure the productivity and quality of a welded joint while shielding and inner diameter purging for root welding of boiler components butt weld joint.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for introduction of shielding and inner diameter purging gas from a single cylinder with multiple gas regulators with varying gas pressure and flow rate.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a new arrangement that is easy to set setup and ensure good gas shielding and inner diameter purging in a weld region.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to facilitate the formation of a variety of joints by varying gas outlet pressure and flow rate from a single inert gas cylinder.
[0012] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an improved weld shielding apparatus wherein only a limited amount of inert gas is required.
[0013] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved weld shield apparatus wherein a significant reduction in purge time is achieved.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to the architecture of apparatus for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from the single source. The described concepts are further below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0015] In an embodiment, an apparatus is described for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from the single inert gas source. The apparatus includes one inlet portion. One end of the inlet portion includes external threads and a connector for establishing a connection with the single inert gas source. Another end of the inlet portion is connected to a sleeve in such a manner that a T-shaped connection is formed between the inlet portion and the sleeve. The inlet portion is arranged as a leg of the T-shaped connection. At both ends of the sleeve, the two outlet portions are formed with threads for establishing connections for purging and shield welding, respectively.
[0016] This new design of apparatus for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single inert gas source for purging and shield welding removes the requirement of usage of multiple inert gas sources or cylinders for purging and shield welding.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary conventional arrangement of separate inert gas cylinders for shielding and purging during a welding process;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary architecture of an apparatus for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single source for purging and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary architecture of the apparatus for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single source for purging and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0023] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0024] Conventionally, for purging and shielding, separate inert gas cylinders are used during a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding operation. As shown in FIG. 1, a first cylinder 102 is used for providing inert gas for purging, while a second cylinder 104 is used for providing inert gas for shield welding. Both these cylinders 102 and 104 require manual administration from a welder during the TIG welding operation, which is very inconvenient and cumbersome process to perform during welding or fabrication of boiler components or materials, such as T91, T23 Super, 304H, T92, P91/92, Stainless steel tubes, and the like.
[0025] To this, an apparatus 200 or system for simultaneous distribution of inert gas from a single inert gas source 202 for purging and shield welding is described herein is shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, the inert gas source 202 can be a cylinder containing an inert gas. The inert gas can be, but not limited to, argon.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 200 is designed as an adapter. Such adapted can be easily retrofitted in place of the existing adapters of the cylinders. The apparatus 200 includes one inlet portion 204 and two outlet portions 206, 208. One end of the inlet portion 204 includes external threads 210 and a connector 212 for establishing a connection with the single inert gas source 204.
[0027] Another end of the inlet portion 204 is connected to a sleeve 214 in such a manner that a T-shaped connection is formed between the inlet portion 204 and the sleeve 214, wherein inlet portion 204 is arranged as a leg of the T-shaped connection. In an example, the sleeve can be formed from, but not limited to, brass.
[0028] At both ends of the sleeve 214, the two outlet portions 206, 208 are formed with threads for establishing connections for purging and shield welding, respectively. For establishing connections, at each outlet portions 206, 208, gas regulator 214, 216 along with a rubber hose (not shown in figures) of each respective connection is attached.
[0029] The apparatus 200, described in the present disclosure, is easily attachable and detachable within 30 seconds. Also, with the implementation of the apparatus 200, the inert gas input changing for different operations (purging and shield welding) can be performed in less than a minute time. This saves the inert gas consumption by one fifth compared to the conventional arrangements which are available for shield welding.
[0030] Thus, the apparatus 200 is simple to use for production of butt joints of Gr.91/92 tubes/pipes, T23, super 304H, stainless steel tubes pipes as the apparatus 200 takes less than 30 seconds for setting up entire system for each joint and inert diameter filling up time less than 5 seconds and no welding and root oxidation defects boiler materials.
[0031] In operation, a welder can establish the connection of the apparatus 200 with the single inert gas source 204 and the respective gas regulator 214, 216 for purging and shield welding within 30 minutes. Thereafter, the welder operates the gas regulator 214 for purging operation, followed by operating the gas regular 216 for shield welding operation.
[0032] Accordingly, with the apparatus 200, the single inert gas source 204 can be used for both the purging as well as shield welding operations and eliminating the need of usage of multiple inert gas sources or cylinders and cumbersome manual intervention during the welding operation.
[0033] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0035] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0036] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.