TORCH NECK FOR THERMALLY JOINING AT LEAST ONE WORKPIECE, TORCH WITH TORCH NECK, AND WELDING DEVICE

Abstract

A nozzle stock (3) for a torch neck (10) of a welding device has an internal cavity (7) and at least one gas-outlet opening (8), which is in fluidic connection with the gas outlet (2) of a gas nozzle (1). A nozzle-stock insert (20) in the internal cavity (7) of the nozzle stock (3) has a front end (23) and a rear end (24), wherein the outer wall (22) of the nozzle-stock insert (20) is at a distance from the inner wall (9) of the nozzle stock (3), at least in some regions, to form a flow space (11) that is in fluidic connection with the gas-outlet opening (8) of the nozzle stock (3). A front and/or rear inflow region, which is formed by a front and/or rear gap (25, 26), is provided at the front end (23) and/or at the rear end (24) of the nozzle-stock insert (20).

Claims

1. A torch neck (10) for a welding device for thermally joining at least one workpiece, comprising: a nozzle stock (3), which has an internal cavity (7) with an inner wall (9) and at least one gas-outlet opening (8), which gas-outlet opening (8) is in fluidic connection with a gas outlet (2) of a gas nozzle (1) for the outflow of a stream of protective gas, a nozzle-stock insert (20) , arranged in the internal cavity (7) of the nozzle stock (3), said nozzle-stock insert (20) having a front end (23) and a rear end (24) and an outer wall (22), wherein the outer wall (22) of the nozzle-stock insert (20) is at a distance from the inner wall (9) of the nozzle stock (3), at least in some regions, to form a flow space (11) for the stream of protective gas, and the flow space (11) is in fluidic connection with the gas-outlet opening (8) of the nozzle stock (3), and a front and/or rear inflow region, which is formed by a front and/or rear gap (25, 26) provided at the front end (23) and/or at the rear end (24) of the nozzle-stock insert (20) through which protective gas is introduced into the flow space (11).

2. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the front end (23) of the nozzle stock insert (20) is spaced at a distance to a front dead stop (28) of the nozzle stock (3) to form the front inflow region formed by the front gap (25).

3. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rear end (24) of the nozzle stock insert (20) is spaced at a distance to the front end of an inner tube (18) of the torch neck (10) to form the rear inflow region formed by the rear gap (26).

4. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rear gap (26) is located upstreamas seen in flow direction of the protective gasof the gas outlet opening (8) of the nozzle stock (3) to form a linear gas flow.

5. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the front gap (25) is located downstreamas seen in flow directionof the gas outlet opening (8) of the nozzle stock (3) to form a reverse flow of the stream of protective gas.

6. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20) has an outer surface (27) and the protective gas flows on the outer surface (27) of the nozzle stock insert (20) and/or in the interior of the nozzle stock insert (20).

7. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20) is connected to the nozzle stock (3), and is in particular pressed in.

8. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flow space (11) is substantially at least one linear gap (12) between the inner wall (9) of the nozzle stock (3) and an outer wall (22) of the nozzle stock insert (20).

9. The torch neck (10) according to claim 8, wherein the linear gap (12) is formed by grooves (13) substantially extending in length direction of the nozzle stock insert (20) on the outer wall (22) of the nozzle stock insert (20).

10. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flow space (11) is substantially formed by a helical gap (14) that is formed by a thread (15) that substantially extends in length direction on an outer wall (22) of the nozzle stock insert (20).

11. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opposing first (23) and second ends (24) of the nozzle stock insert (20) extend along the axis of the nozzle stock insert (20) with a length between the ends (23, 24), and in that the diameter of the nozzle stock insert (20) varies along its length.

12. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20) on its front end (23) facing the gas outlet (2) of the gas nozzle (1) has a smaller cross-section compared to the rear end (24) of the nozzle stock insert (20) facing away from the gas outlet (2) in order to form an annular channel (16) of the flow space (11).

13. The torch neck (10) according to claim 12, wherein the flow direction of the stream of protective gas in the annular channel (16) is changed at least once, such that the flow duration or the flow path of the stream of protective gas is lengthened within the gas nozzle (1).

14. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20) has an inner passageway (21) configured to receive and pass therethrough an electrode or a wire for generating an arc between the electrode or the wire and the workpiece.

15. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow flows from an inner tube (18) into the nozzle stock insert (20).

16. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a flow contact nozzle (17) positioned in the internal cavity (7) of the nozzle stock (3) such that the flow contact nozzle (17) extends into the internal cavity (7) of the nozzle stock (3).

17. The torch neck (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20), the flow contact nozzle (17), and the nozzle stock (3) are constructed of a conductive material, and the nozzle stock insert (20) contacts the flow contact nozzle (17).

18. A torch having a torch neck (10) according to claim 1 and further comprising either an electrode, arranged in the torch neck (10), or a wire for producing an arc between the electrode or the wire and a workpiece.

19. The torch according to claim 18, wherein the nozzle stock insert (20) is arranged axially in a cavity (7) of the nozzle stock (3) between the torch neck (10) and the flow contact nozzle (17).

20. A welding apparatus having a torch according to claim 19.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Partially schematically, the drawings show in:

[0079] FIG. 1 a cross-sectional representation of a cutout of a torch neck with gas nozzle, nozzle stock, nozzle stock insert, according to a first embodiment,

[0080] FIG. 2 a detailed side view of the torch neck according to FIG. 1,

[0081] FIG. 3 a cross-sectional representation of a cutout of the torch neck with gas nozzle, nozzle stock, nozzle stock insert, according to a second embodiment,

[0082] FIG. 4 a cutout of a torch neck with gas nozzle, nozzle stock, nozzle stock insert, according to a third embodiment,

[0083] FIG. 5 a perspective side view of the nozzle stock insert with a linear gap,

[0084] FIG. 6 an exploded representation of the torch neck, and

[0085] FIG. 7 a further exploded representation of the torch neck.

[0086] Identical or identically functioning components are provided with reference numerals based on an embodiment in the subsequently depicted figures of the illustration in order to improve readability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] FIG. 1 shows a torch neck 10 for thermally joining at least one workpiece, in particular for arc joining, preferably for arc welding or arc soldering. The torch neck 10 can be part of a torch of a welding apparatus.

[0088] See, e.g., US 2021/0078115A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein, showing a torch and torch body of a welding apparatus for thermal joining.

[0089] An electrode or a wire for generating an arc between the electrode or the wire and the workpiece is arranged in the torch neck 10.

[0090] A gas nozzle 1 is specified for the outflow of a stream of protective gas from a gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1.

[0091] A nozzle stock 3 holding the gas nozzle 1 has at least one gas outlet opening 8 for the protective gas, the gas outlet opening 8 having a fluidic connection to the gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1.

[0092] The opposing first 4 and second ends 5 of the nozzle stock 3 extend along the axis of the nozzle stock with a length between the ends 4, 5.

[0093] Furthermore, an internal cavity 7 is specified in the nozzle stock 3, in which a nozzle stock insert 20 is arranged with a front end 23 and a rear end 24, as can also be seen in FIG. 1 and also in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0094] The nozzle stock insert 20 is mechanically connected to the nozzle stock 3, in particular is pressed into the latter. The nozzle stock insert 20 has an inner passageway 21 to pass through an electrode or a wire to generate an arc between the electrode or the wire and the workpiece.

[0095] A flow contact nozzle 17 is positioned in the internal cavity 7 of the nozzle stock 3 such that it extends into the internal cavity 7 of the nozzle stock 3, and preferably extends in a direction from the nozzle stock 3 outward in relation to the nozzle stock insert 20, as is in particular also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in an exploded representation.

[0096] The nozzle stock 3, the nozzle stock insert 20, and the gas nozzle 1 are connected to one another such that they share a common axis, as is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0097] As can likewise be seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, the outer wall 22 of the nozzle stock insert 20 is at least regionally spaced at a distance from the inner wall 9 of the nozzle stock 3 to form a flow space 11 for the stream of protective gas. This flow space 11 has a fluidic connection to the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3.

[0098] A front and/or rear inflow region to introduce the protective gas into the flow space 11 is provided on the front end 23 and/or on the rear end 24 of the nozzle stock insert 20 that is formed by a front 25 and/or rear gap 26.

[0099] In this particular exemplary embodiment, these gaps 25, 26 substantially extend vertically in relation to the length axis of the nozzle stock 3 or the nozzle stock insert 20.

[0100] The first embodiment of the torch neck according to FIG. 1 shows that an inflow region formed by the front gap 25 is merely specified on the front end 23 of the nozzle stock insert 20. In order to form the front gap 25 and the front inflow region, the front end 23 of the nozzle stock insert 20 is arranged at a distance to a front dead stop or an edge 28 of the nozzle stock 3. In this embodiment, the rear end 24 directly contacts, e.g., directly abuts, an inner tube 18 of the torch neck 10, without forming a gap. FIG. 2 provides a detailed view, and FIGS. 6 and 7 provide an exploded representation, of this embodiment.

[0101] The gas flows from a gas reservoir through the inner tube 18 toward the nozzle stock insert 20.

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the torch neck, wherein an inflow region formed by the rear gap 26 is specified only on the rear end 24 of the nozzle stock insert 20. In this particular embodiment, the rear gap 26 is formed in that the rear end 24 of the nozzle stock insert 20 is arranged at a distance to the front end of an inner tube 18 of the torch neck 10, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the front end 23 directly abuts the dead stop 28 of the nozzle stock 3 of the torch neck 10, without forming a gap.

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment, on which respectively one gap 25, 26 is specified on the front end 23 and also on the rear end 24 of the nozzle stock insert 20, the gap 25, 26 respectively forming an inflow region for the protective gas into the flow space 11.

[0104] The perspective representation in FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the torch neck 10, wherein the flow space 11 is formed by several linear gaps 12 between the inner wall 9 of the nozzle stock 3 and the outer wall 22 of the nozzle stock insert 20 that extend along the outer surface 27 of the nozzle stock insert 20 in length direction of the insert 20.

[0105] In this particular embodiment, the linear gap 12 is formed by the grooves 13 substantially extending in length direction of the nozzle stock insert 20 on the outer wall 22 of the nozzle stock insert 20, the grooves 13 preferably being arranged approximately equidistantly in relation to one another along the circumference.

[0106] The protective gas in this case flows from the inner tube 18 through the grooves 13 toward the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3, and then continues to the gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1.

[0107] According to an alternative embodiment, the flow space 11 can be substantially formed by a helical gap 14 that is formed by a thread 15, in particular a trapezoidal thread substantially extending in length direction on the outer wall 22 of the nozzle stock insert 20.

[0108] On the embodiment in FIG. 3, on which the inflow region is formed by the rear gap 26, this gap 26 is located upstream of the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3, as seen in flow direction of the protective gas. A linear gas flow is generated in this manner, since the protective gas flows from the inner tube 18 of the torch neck 10 into the inflow region formed by the rear gap 26, and is introduced into the flow space 11 and then guided through the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3 and then exits from gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1.

[0109] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the front gap 25 is located downstreamas seen in flow directionof the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A reverse flow of the stream of protective gas is formed in this manner, since the gas flow is introduced through the inner tube 18 into the interior of the nozzle stock insert 20, then enters the inflow region formed by the front gap 25, and is then forwarded into the flow space 11 up to the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3, through which the gas flow is then guided up to the gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 1, the protective gas accordingly firstly flows in the interior of the nozzle stock insert 20 toward the front end of the torch neck 10 or the gas nozzle 1. The protective gas is then introduced through the front inflow region transversally in relation to the length axis 6 of the nozzle stock 3 into the flow space 11, through which the protective gas then flows opposite to the flow direction in the interior of the nozzle stock insert 20, that is to say toward the rear, until the gas is guided through the gas outlet opening 8 of the nozzle stock 3 back to the front toward the gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1, thus generating the reverse flow.

[0111] On this embodiment, the protective gas flows in the interior of the nozzle stock insert 20. By contrast, is likewise conceivable that the stream of protective gas alternatively or additionally also flows on the outer surface 27 of the nozzle stock insert 20.

[0112] According to an embodiment, it can be specified that the opposing first 23 and second ends 24 extend along the axis 5 of the nozzle stock insert 20 with a length between the end 23, 24, and that the diameter of the nozzle stock insert 20 varies along its axis. It is in particular conceivable that the nozzle stock insert 20 on its front end 23 facing the gas outlet 2 of the gas nozzle 1 has a smaller cross-section compared to the rear end 24 of the nozzle stock insert 20 facing away from the gas outlet 2 in order to form an annular channel 16 of the flow space 11, in particular, the flow direction of the stream of protective gas in the annular channel 16 can be changed at least once, such that the flow duration or the flow path of the stream of protective gas is lengthened within the gas nozzle 1.

[0113] The nozzle stock insert 20, the flow contact nozzle 17, and the nozzle stock 3 can be constructed of a conductive material, in particular, they can be produced from copper or copper alloys. The nozzle stock insert 20 can contact the flow contact nozzle 17. But it is also conceivable that the nozzle stock insert 20 and the flow contact nozzle 17 can contact one another after assembly in the torch neck 10, e.g., directly abut one another. The nozzle stock insert 20 is located in the nozzle stock 3, and the nozzle stock is fastened on the torch neck 10.

[0114] The torch neck 10 can be arranged in a torch, which in turn is part of a welding apparatus.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0115] 1 Gas Nozzle [0116] 2 Gas Outlet [0117] 3 Nozzle Stock [0118] 4 First Nozzle Stock End [0119] 5 Second Nozzle Stock End [0120] 6 Nozzle Stock Length Axis [0121] 7 Nozzle Stock Cavity [0122] 8 Nozzle Stock Gas Outlet Opening [0123] 9 Nozzle Stock Inner Wall [0124] 10 Torch Neck [0125] 11 Flow Space [0126] 12 Linear Gap [0127] 13 Grooves [0128] 14 Helical Gap [0129] 15 Thread [0130] 16 Annular Channel [0131] 17 Flow Contact Nozzle [0132] 18 Inner Tube [0133] 19 Outer Tube [0134] 20 Nozzle Stock Insert [0135] 21 Inner Nozzle Stock Passageway [0136] 22 Nozzle Stock Insert Outer Wall [0137] 23 Nozzle Stock Insert Front End [0138] 24 Nozzle Stock Insert Rear End [0139] 25 Front Gap [0140] 26 Rear Gap [0141] 27 Nozzle Stock Insert Outer Surface [0142] 28 Front Dead Stop or Edge of the Nozzle Stock