Nozzle assemblies having multiple attachment methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019242573-A1
Application number	US-201916262581-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 30, 2019
Priority date	Feb 6, 2018
Publication date	Aug 8, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A nozzle assembly, comprising:
a nozzle shell; an insulator positioned within the shell; and a nozzle insert positioned within the insulator, wherein the nozzle insert comprises:
a first surface configured to frictionally engage a first type of gas diffuser assembly; and
threads to engage a second type of gas diffuser assembly.

2 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the threads are formed in a wall of the nozzle insert and are configured to mate with and engage complementary screw threads of the second type of gas diffuser assembly.

3 . The nozzle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the nozzle insert comprises a shoulder formed in the wall between the threads and the first surface, wherein the shoulder is configured to abut a complementary front shoulder of the first type of gas diffuser assembly or the second type of gas diffuser assembly, and wherein the nozzle insert further includes a rear end configured to abut a rear shoulder of the first type of gas diffuser assembly or the second type of gas diffuser assembly.

4 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle insert comprises a bore extending from a front end of the nozzle insert to a rear end of the nozzle insert, wherein the threads comprise a major diameter and a minor diameter, and wherein the first surface has a first diameter.

5 . The nozzle assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first surface is toward the rear end of the nozzle assembly relative to the threads, and the first diameter is larger than the major diameter and the minor diameter of the threads.

6 . The nozzle assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first surface is toward the front end of the nozzle assembly relative to the threads, and the first diameter is smaller than the major diameter and the minor diameter of the threads.

7 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle insert comprises a shoulder formed in the wall between the threads and the first surface, wherein the shoulder is configured to abut a complementary front shoulder of the first type of gas diffuser assembly or the second type of gas diffuser assembly, and wherein the nozzle insert further comprises a rear end configured to abut a rear shoulder of the first type of gas diffuser assembly or the second type of gas diffuser assembly.

8 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is further configured to frictionally engage the second type of gas diffuser assembly when the threads are engaged to the second type of gas diffuser assembly, such that both the threads and the first surface resist disengagement of the gas diffuser assembly from the nozzle assembly.

9 . A method of coupling a nozzle assembly to a gas diffuser assembly, the method comprising:
providing a nozzle assembly having a nozzle insert configured to engage each of a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism; and coupling a gas diffuser assembly having at least one of the first coupling mechanism or the second coupling mechanism, such that the nozzle insert engages the first coupling mechanism or the second coupling mechanism to couple the gas diffuser assembly to the nozzle assembly.

10 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first coupling mechanism is a screw thread.

11 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the second coupling mechanism is a compressible retaining ring, wherein the compressible retaining ring is constructed of a spring type material such that it generates a radially outward force upon being compressed.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the gas diffuser assembly comprises a first gas diffuser assembly having the first coupling mechanism, and wherein the method further comprises:
uncoupling the first gas diffuser assembly from the nozzle assembly; and coupling the nozzle assembly to a second gas diffuser assembly having the second coupling mechanism.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first coupling mechanism is a screw thread and the second coupling mechanism is a compressible retaining ring, wherein the compressible retaining ring is constructed of a spring type material such that it generates a radially outward force upon being compressed.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first gas diffuser assembly also has the second coupling mechanism, such that the nozzle insert engages both the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism of the first gas diffuser assembly when the first gas diffuser assembly is coupled to the nozzle assembly.

15 . A welding torch, comprising:
a nozzle shell; a nozzle insert positioned within the nozzle shell, wherein the nozzle insert comprises an engaging surface configured to frictionally engage a compressible member of a gas diffuser assembly and screw threads to engage complementary screw threads of the gas diffuser assembly; and a gas diffuser assembly engaged with the nozzle insert, wherein the gas diffuser assembly comprises at least one of the compressible member and the complementary screw threads for engaging the nozzle insert.

16 . The welding torch of claim 15 , further comprising an insulator positioned between the nozzle shell and the nozzle insert.

17 . The welding torch of claim 15 , wherein the nozzle insert comprises a shoulder between the screw threads and the engaging surface, wherein the shoulder abuts a complementary front shoulder of the gas diffuser assembly, and wherein the nozzle insert further comprises a rear end configured to abut a rear shoulder of the gas diffuser assembly.

18 . The welding torch of claim 17 , wherein the nozzle insert includes a rear end and a front end, wherein the engaging surface is toward the rear end of the nozzle insert relative to the threads, and wherein the compressible member engages the engaging surface toward the shoulder of the nozzle insert, relative to the rear end.

19 . The welding torch of claim 17 , wherein the nozzle insert includes a rear end and a front end, wherein the engaging surface is toward the front end of the nozzle insert relative to the threads, and wherein the compressible member engages the engaging surface toward the shoulder of the nozzle insert, relative to the front end.

20 . The welding torch of claim 17 , wherein the gas diffuser assembly comprises both the compressible member and the complementary screw threads.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Centner Robert J

Classifications

• F23D14/60

  Devices for simultaneous control of gas and combustion air · CPC title

• F23D14/52

  for torches; for blow-pipes · CPC title

• F23D14/38 Primary

  Torches, e.g. for brazing or heating (nozzles F23D14/48) · CPC title

• F23D14/64

  with injectors · CPC title

• F23D14/46

  Details · CPC title