GB2399052A - Low pressure welding method - Google Patents

Low pressure welding method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2399052A
GB2399052A GB0400328A GB0400328A GB2399052A GB 2399052 A GB2399052 A GB 2399052A GB 0400328 A GB0400328 A GB 0400328A GB 0400328 A GB0400328 A GB 0400328A GB 2399052 A GB2399052 A GB 2399052A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
compartment
oxygen
container
pressure
outer shell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0400328A
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GB0400328D0 (en
GB2399052B (en
Inventor
Philip William Robinson
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of GB0400328D0 publication Critical patent/GB0400328D0/en
Publication of GB2399052A publication Critical patent/GB2399052A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2399052B publication Critical patent/GB2399052B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K5/00—Gas flame welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K5/00—Gas flame welding
    • B23K5/22—Auxiliary equipment, e.g. backings, guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K9/00—Arc welding or cutting
    • B23K9/16—Arc welding or cutting making use of shielding gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/10—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with at least one of the parts to be joined
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0157—Polygonal
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0176—Shape variable
    • F17C2201/018—Shape variable with bladders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0617—Single wall with one layer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0629—Two walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F17C2205/0111—Boxes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/031—Air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0192—Propulsion of the fluid by using a working fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/018—Adapting dimensions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/04—Reducing risks and environmental impact
    • F17C2260/042—Reducing risk of explosion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F17C2270/0545—Tools

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A welding method is disclosed in which a welding torch or similar is fed with oxygen which is stored at a pressure of less than 1 bar or 10<5>Nm<-2>. The oxygen may be stored in a container with two airtight compartments separated by a flexible wall, the first compartment 11 filled with the oxygen, the second compartment 13 serving to pressurise the first. The combined features as described may provide a safe and/or inexpensive apparatus for the amateur welder due to the low overall pressure of the system as a whole when compared to high pressure welding cylinder storage apparatus.

Description

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J - 1
Method and Apparatus for Welding
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a method of welding and to a container for the safe storage of oxygen.
Background of the invention
TO In welding, it is common to burn a mixture of a combustible gas such as acetylene or propane with oxygen. As compared with air, which contains approximately 80% nitrogen, pure oxygen results in a much hotter flame, as is required for welding and cutting metals.
Professional users of welding equipment are licensed to store and use large gas pressurized cylinders of oxygen and combustible gases but because of the hazard which they present, such cylinders are not readily available to the amateur or occasional user. In any event, they must be hired on a long term contract and the costs are high for a small users. Small pressurized containers, the size of a large aerosol can, are available but they last only a very short time and therefore prove very expensive. The fact that they cannot be refilled adds still further to the expense.
Summary of the invention
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of welding which comprises supplying oxygen to a welding torch from a compartment in a container within which the oxygen is stored at a pressure of less than 1 bar above the ambient atmospheric pressure.
Preferably, the method further comprises providing means for increasing the pressure in the compartment within :e sece.. :. te:. .e - 2 - the container that contains the oxygen and operating the latter means to maintain a pressure to expel the remaining oxygen stored in the compartment as the stored mass of oxygen is depleted.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas container for use in carrying out the method of the invention, which comprises two air-tight compartments that are separated from one another by at least one flexible lo wall, wherein the first compartment is filled with oxygen at a pressure of less than 1 bar above the ambient atmospheric pressure and the second is filled with air and serves to pressurise the first compartment.
The invention is based on the fact that there is no danger in storing even a large mass of oxygen, and no regulations prohibiting its storage, provided that the oxygen is not stored under pressure. This is because it is the rapid release of oxygen when a pressurized container is punctured that presents a hazard and this cannot occur if the oxygen is not stored at high pressure. What constitutes a high pressure is determined by legislation. Currently, in the United Kingdom, a pressure that does not exceed half an atmosphere is not to be regarded as a high pressure.
By using a large container, a large volume of oxygen can be stored in the first compartment at a relative pressure (i.e. pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure) of just less that 0.5 bar. Of course, as oxygen is withdrawn from the first compartment, the supply pressure would drop but this can be compensated for my pumping air into the second compartment.
Provided that the first compartment is only pressurized while oxygen is being withdrawn from it, it is possible to increase the relative pressure within it to above 0.5 bar by pumping air into the second compartment and to use a ecceceÀe regulating valve to bring the supply pressure down below 0.5 bar using a conventional pressure regulating valve in the supply line from the first compartment. In this way, a large volume of oxygen can be supplied at a regulated pressure without resorting to the use of expensive, heavy and potentially hazardous highly pressurized cylinders.
The container may have an outer shell made from a flexible but strong and puncture resistant fabric, such as 0 used for example in making inflatable dinghies. As an alternative, the outer shell of the container may be made as a rigid box.
The outer shell need only act as a retaining wall for two inflatable bladders which define the respective compartments for the stored gas and air. Alternatively, the outer shell may itself define one of the two compartments, preferably the air filled compartment.
If the outer shell acts as the air filled compartment, in the event of it being punctured only air would escape and the oxygen filled bladder would remain intact within it.
It is an important advantage of the invention that the oxygen supply within the container can be replenished. In use, the first compartment is filled with gas at a supply depot until it reaches the maximum legally permissible pressure. The container is transported and stored in this safe condition.
When the stored gas is oxygen used for welding or cutting metal, air is pumped into the second compartment which in turn increases the pressure in the first compartment. Oxygen from the first compartment is then supplied through a regulating valve at a constant pressure to the welding torch. Should the pressure in the first compartment drop below the regulated supply pressure, then eeceÀeee it can be increased by pumping air into the second compartment. This can be repeated until the oxygen supply in the first compartment is totally exhausted.
When the welding or cutting operation in completed, the second compartment is vented to atmosphere to reduce the pressure in the first compartment to below 0.5 bar.
When the oxygen supply is totally depleted, the lo container is returned to the depot for recharging. To maximise the charge, the second compartment is vented to atmosphere during the recharging operation.
The cylinder used at the supply depot to recharge the container may be a conventional high pressure cylinder fitted with a regulating valve as used by professional welders. Such a cylinder can be used to refill a container of the invention several times making the sale of oxygen in this manner highly profitable for the supply depot at the same time as being cost effective for the user of the oxygen. As the container can be refilled, after having invested in the purchase of a container of the invention, the end user needs only to pay for the purchase of the oxygen, which provides very significant savings as compared with the purchase of small quantities of oxygen in disposable aerosol-like pressurized containers.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a section through a first embodiment of a container of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a section similar to that of Figure 1 through a second container embodying the invention.
ce - 5
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
The container shown in Figure 1 comprises a collapsible bladder 10 arranged within an outer shell 12. The bladder 10 defines within it a first compartment 11 that is filled with oxygen whereas the space 13 between the bladder 10 and the outer shell 12 forms a second compartment that is filled with air.
lo The outer shell 12 can be rigid but it is preferred for it to be a bag made of a gas tight, flexible but puncture resistant material, such as is used in inflatable dinghies.
The inner bladder 10 may be formed any suitable gas tight material but is preferably formed of elastic material, such as rubber, to assist in expelling the oxygen stored within it.
The bladder 10 can be filled and emptied through a pipe 14 that is fitted with a valve 16. A seal needs to be formed around the pipe 14 where it passes through the bag 12. The valve 16 has three positions. In a first position, it allows the bladder 10 to be filled by connecting an oxygen supply to an inlet 20. In a second position of the valve 16, the first compartment 11 is connected to an outlet 22 through a pressure regulator 24. In its third position, the valve 16 is closed and oxygen can neither flow into nor out of the compartment 11.
The compartment 13 can be filed with air and vented to atmosphere through a pipe 26 fitted with a two position valve 28 that can simply be opened and closed.
When the oxygen supply within the compartment 11 is depleted, the container is taken to a supply depot for refilling. To refill the container, the valve 28 is first opened to vent the compartment 13 to atmosphere. Next a regulator connected to a conventional high pressure oxygen # le: e:e..: : À À À . - 6 cylinder is connected to the inlet 20 and the valve 16 is; turned from its closed position to its first position so that the compartment 11 is filled to the output pressure of the regulator. This pressure in the United Kingdom should be less than 0.5 bar above ambient atmospheric pressure to comply with official regulations. After the valve 16 has once again been closed, the container can be disconnected from the supply cylinder and transported safely without the need to take special precautions. As the oxygen is only 0 under a very small pressure, there would be little hazard even in the event of the container being punctured or catching fire. In the latter case, the container is likely to burn vigorously but it will not explode.
To use the oxygen in the container, a blow torch is connected to the outlet pipe 22 and the valve 16 is turned from its closed to its second position. Oxygen at the pressure of the regulator 24 is now supplied to the torch so that it may be used for welding or cutting metal.
As oxygen is consumed, the pressure in the first compartment 11 will drop and when it drops below the pressure of the regulator 24, the flow rate through the outlet 22 will drop.
To enable adequate flow of oxygen through the outlet 22, the compartment 13 is pressurised by connecting the inlet pipe 26 to a pump or a compressor and opening the valve 28. As the bladder 10 is flexible, pressurising the second compartment 13 will also result in an increase in the pressure in the first compartment 11 and in this way air can be pumped into the compartment 13 to compensate for the oxygen consumed from the first compartment 11. It is possible to maintain a constant pressure in the two compartments 11 and 13 by supplying air to the second compartment 13 through a pressure regulating valve or by providing a pressure switch to interrupt the operation of :.'le.. Àe:e ce:e.<e - 7 the air pump or compressor connected to the inlet pipe 26 when the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level. The pressure within the container need not however be regulated so long as it is maintained higher than the pressure of the regulator 24. Thus, a hand pump could be used to increase the pressure in the compartment 13 whenever a drop in the oxygen flow rate to the torch is detected.
Though the pressure in the container needs to be maintained below 0.5 bar for safe storage it can be increased above this level during the welding operation in order to maintain a sufficient and steady flow of oxygen to the blow torch.
Once the welding operation has been completed, the valve 16 is turned to its closed position and the second compartment 13 is vented to reduce the pressure in the container. This once again reduces the pressure in the compartment 11 to below 0.5 bar so that it may be stored safely.
The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 is generally similar to that of Figure 1 and to avoid unnecessary repetition like components have been allocated the same reference numerals as in Figure 2.
The embodiment of Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in that the outer shell is formed as a rigid box 110 that is not hermetically sealed. In Figure 2, the outer shell of the container is a cardboard box 110 that is not hermetically sealed and instead contains taco separate bladders 112 and 114. The interior of the bladder 112 constitutes the oxygen filled first compartment 11' while the interior of the second bladder 114 constitutes the air filled second compartment 13'. Because the outer shell 110 is rigid, increasing the pressure by pumping air into the second compartment 13 will increase the pressure in the oxygen storage first compartment 11 to assist in expelling the oxygen.
c c - 8 It will be appreciated that though the above description has consistently referred to the storage of oxygen for welding, the invention can equally be applied to s the safe storage of other gases.

Claims (9)

et4e.ÀÀe 9 - CLAIMS
1. A method of welding which comprises supplying oxygen to a welding torch from a compartment in a container within which the oxygen is stored at a pressure of less than 1 bar above the ambient atmospheric pressure.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises providing means for increasing the pressure in the lo compartment within the container that contains the oxygen and operating the latter means to maintain a pressure to expel the remaining oxygen stored in the compartment as the stored mass of oxygen is depleted.
3. A gas container for use in carrying out the method of claims 1 or 2, which comprises two air-tight compartments that are separated from one another by at least one flexible wall, wherein the first compartment is filled with oxygen at a pressure of less than 1 bar above the ambient atmospheric pressure and the second is filled with air and serves to pressurise the first compartment.
4. A gas container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the container comprises an air-tight outer shell within which a bladder is mounted, the interior of the bladder being connected to a pipe that passes through and is sealed relative to the outer shell, thereby defining a first compartment within the bladder and a second compartment between the bladder and the outer shell.
5. A gas container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the interior of the bladder constitutes the compartment that is filled with oxygen.
6. A gas container as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the outer shell of the container is formed as a bag having flexible gas-impervious puncture resistant wall.
ÀeÀ tÀe et#
7. A gas container as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the outer shell of the container is rigid.
8. A gas container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the container comprises a rigid outer shell containing two bladders, the interior of one constituting the first compartment filled with oxygen and the interior of the other constituting the second compartment that is filled with air to pressurise the first compartment.
9. A gas container constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB0400328A 2003-01-08 2004-01-08 Apparatus for welding Expired - Fee Related GB2399052B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0300322.5A GB0300322D0 (en) 2003-01-08 2003-01-08 Gas container

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GB0400328D0 GB0400328D0 (en) 2004-02-11
GB2399052A true GB2399052A (en) 2004-09-08
GB2399052B GB2399052B (en) 2006-05-10

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GB0400328A Expired - Fee Related GB2399052B (en) 2003-01-08 2004-01-08 Apparatus for welding

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2446409A (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-08-13 Secretary Trade Ind Brit Gas mixture preparation device
WO2013083163A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 Blue Wave Co S.A. Pressure vessel with expandable/collapsible liner

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB324449A (en) * 1928-11-15 1930-01-30 Friedrich Koerner Improvements in autogenous welding and cutting processes
GB600028A (en) * 1943-08-25 1948-03-30 Robert Rene Louis Geffroy Improvements in welding by means of oxy-acetylene and like welding torches

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB324449A (en) * 1928-11-15 1930-01-30 Friedrich Koerner Improvements in autogenous welding and cutting processes
GB600028A (en) * 1943-08-25 1948-03-30 Robert Rene Louis Geffroy Improvements in welding by means of oxy-acetylene and like welding torches

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2446409A (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-08-13 Secretary Trade Ind Brit Gas mixture preparation device
GB2446409B (en) * 2007-02-06 2011-05-04 Secretary Trade Ind Brit Fluid mixtures
WO2013083163A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 Blue Wave Co S.A. Pressure vessel with expandable/collapsible liner

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Publication number Publication date
GB0400328D0 (en) 2004-02-11
GB0300322D0 (en) 2003-02-05
GB2399052B (en) 2006-05-10

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Effective date: 20080108