This invention generally relates to torch tips of the type used for welding, soldering, brazing, cutting, or heating. More specifically, this relates to a flexible torch end for use with fuel gas torches such as oxygen-acetylene welding, soldering, brazing, cutting, and heating torches and made connectable to industry common and existing torch handles.
There exist torch devices to provide an oxygen-acetylene torch tip, but such have significant limitations, especially as compared to our innovative flexible torch tool and method. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,360,431 presents an example of what has become the standard oxygen-acetylene torch used in the industry. However, this system does not offer the user desirable articulation of the torch end and neck, which is a downfall of many past and existing torch devices. As another example, there is U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,801. It is aimed at solving similar problems as described herein, namely to provide a means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points. However, this device requires use of a fuel hose line running through the flexible members, amongst other shortfalls. Still further, as another example there is U.S. Pat. App. No. 2011/0003261 A1, and it also attempts to compensate for the shortfalls noted above, namely to provide a means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points. However, this device does not offer a contained mixing chamber separate from the atmosphere, nor a torch tip attachable to industry common torch handles, amongst other shortfalls.
As best the inventors could determine, no existing torch device or method provides means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points with a flexible gooseneck oxygen-acetylene torch tip, without the necessity of a fuel hose line, and with other features now possible with our flexible torch tool and method. Thus, there is a need to address the deficiencies in the art to better achieve more desirable requirements and avoid negative ones, for high-pressure and high-temperature welding, soldering, brazing, cutting, and heating in a tool and with a method connectable to industry common and existing torch handles, and preferably in a way that is more consistent and reliable for such a flexible torch tool and method.
The present invention eliminates many of the limiting factors of existing torch devices by using more robust materials, being more flexible, and being of more simple construction, better geared to modern use and needs for a torch tool and method. For example, existing torch devices are also limited in their usability, such as not being designed to be attached to industry common and existing torch handles, nor are they designed to utilize as robust materials and simple assemblies as this present invention. Therefore, the present invention provides a solution to these problems by providing a tool and method with means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points with an oxygen-acetylene torch tip made attachable to industry common and existing torch handles. For example, this can be accomplished by the use of a gooseneck hose, that requires no internal fuel line, with one end connected to a torch handle attachment device, including a gas mixing chamber, and the other end attached to a component designed to receive various types of torch nozzles.
More specifically, to address one or more deficiencies in the art and/or better achieve the desirable requirements for a flexible torch tool and method, there is provided a method for delivering a High-Pressure gas mixture from a torch handle to a High-Temperature torch nozzle. The method includes several steps, generally in this order, and not limited to just these steps. A first step is providing a plurality of gases to a gas mixing chamber. Next, is mixing turbulently the plurality of gases in the gas mixing chamber to form a High-Pressure gas mixture. Then, there is directing the High-Pressure gas mixture into a flexible gooseneck hose. Another step is flowing the High-Pressure gas mixture through the flexible gooseneck hose. And, there is the step leaking a small portion of the High-Pressure gas mixture through a side wall of the gooseneck hose. Next is delivering all of the High-Pressure gas mixture except the small portion of the High-Pressure gas mixture to the High-Temperature torch nozzle. Further, there is dispensing the High-Pressure gas mixture out of the High-Temperature torch nozzle at a temperature of between about 3000 degrees Fahrenheit to 6500 degrees Fahrenheit.
In other aspects, there is disclosed an alternate method for delivering a High-Pressure gas mixture from a torch handle to a High-Temperature torch nozzle. This method also includes several steps, generally in this order, and not limited to just these steps. First, is providing a plurality of gases to a gas mixing chamber. Next is mixing turbulently the plurality of gases in the gas mixing chamber to form a High-Pressure gas mixture. Then, directing the High-Pressure gas mixture into a flexible gooseneck hose. A further step is flowing the High-Pressure gas mixture through the flexible gooseneck hose without an internal fuel line. And further, delivering the High-Pressure gas mixture to the High-Temperature torch nozzle. Still further, the step dispensing the High-Pressure gas mixture out of the High-Temperature torch nozzle at a temperature of at least 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet further, forming the flexible gooseneck hose in multiple temporary configurations relative to an elongated axis of the flexible gooseneck hose.
Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to configurations and features for the flexible gooseneck hose and the torch nozzle, and combinations thereof.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various features of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings show some but not all embodiments. The elements depicted in the drawings are illustrative and not necessarily to scale, and the same (or similar) reference numbers denote the same (or similar) features throughout the drawings, though all the same (or similar) features are not always separately numbered to help avoid over numbering and obscuring what the drawings are disclosing.
In accordance with the practice of our innovative flexible torch tool, as seen in the Figures, we first describe tool 8 and its parts, and then its innovative method of delivering a High-Pressure gas mixture from a torch handle 48 to a High-Temperature torch nozzle. As used herein, High-Pressure is defined as a mixture of at least two different gases inside flexible gooseneck hose 14 after leaving the mixing chamber and before entering the nozzle, such pressure being in the range of about 3 psig to about 60 psig. As used herein, High-Temperature is defined as a temperature in the range of about 3000 degrees to about 6500 degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably in the range of about 4000 degrees to about 6000 degrees Fahrenheit, and most preferably in the range of about 5000 degrees to about 6000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Referring to
Referring to
The flexible gooseneck hose 14 is soldered, welded, brazed, glued, epoxied, rubber sealed, crimped, threaded, or otherwise permanently attached to the gas mixing chamber 10 at the gas mixing chamber junction point 38. The flexible gooseneck hose 14 then extends some defined amount of length, which can be made in any desired lengths, to the nozzle attachment coupler 16. Coupler 16 can be similarly soldered, welded, brazed, glued, epoxied, rubber sealed, crimped, threaded, or otherwise permanently attached to distal end of the gooseneck hose 14. Flexible gooseneck hose 14 can be, for example, one of the following commercially available hose materials purchased and then adapted and connected with its other parts as taught herein: Sealflex™ coolant hose, provided by Precision Hose & Expansion Joints (2200 Centre Park Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30087); Interlock Gooseneck Tube, provide by Zhejiang Flexible Technology Co., Ltd. (No. 50, Zhijiang Road, Jiashan Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang Province, China); Flexible Gooseneck (Stand Tube), provided by LeFlexo Industrial Co., Ltd. (New Energy Center, No. 57 Cuiying St, Nancheng Dist, Zhang Mutou, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523617, China); Flexible Gooseneck Tubing, provided by Uniprise International, Inc. (50 Napco Dr., Terryville, CT 06786); Flexible Gooseneck Tubing, provided by SnakeClamp Products LLC (5 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073, United States); or, Goose-Neck, provided by Kientec Systems, Inc. (2692 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994).
The torch nozzle 18 is then selectively connected and disconnected with coupler 16, for example, via a threaded relationship with nozzle attachment coupler 16 through the interaction of the torch nozzle threads 42 and the nozzle attachment coupler threads 44. The torch nozzle 18 is threaded into the nozzle attachment coupler 16 until a flange seal surface 46 of the attachment coupler 16 contacts the adjacent end of the nozzle 18. Further in this regard, if desired, wrench flats 17 can be added to coupler 16 outer surface to assist with holding tool 8 in place, and in particular the distal end of flexible gooseneck hose 14 and its rigidly attached nozzle attachment coupler 16, when connecting and disconnecting torch nozzle 18. For example, this can help with using a desired torque and for ensuring a sealed fit between interior end of torch nozzle 18 and flange seal surface 46.
Referring to
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For assembly, and referring to
Once the union nut 12 is snug against the attached torch handle, both the small o-ring seal 26 and the large o-ring seal 28 will be compressed between the attached torch handle and the gas mixing chamber 10 adequately sealing the first gas and second gas from mixing prior to inside of the gas mixing chamber 10. The user will then select the applicable torch nozzle 18 (e.g., short nozzle 18 that could be replaced by nozzles 18b, 18c, or 18d) for their intended use and thread it into the nozzle attachment coupler 16 via the interaction of the torch nozzle threads 42 and the nozzle attachment coupler threads 44. Torch nozzle 18 can then be made snug against the flange seal surface 46. This creates a seal causing the mixed gas to be directed solely out the tip of the torch nozzle 18.
To use tool 8, generally, a user will turn on the supply of fuel gas to handle 48 and light the torch with an industry common sparking device. Once the fuel gas is burning at the tip of the torch nozzle 18, the user can adjust the supply of the respective gasses, e.g., the oxygen gas most often, until the heat and shape of the flame are applicable to the intended use. As the axial gas (e.g, oxygen or conventional air mixture) flows from the torch handle 48 into the gas mixing chamber 10 it passes through the central bore 20 and then through the venturi zone 22. When the oxygen gas flows through the venturi zone 22 the velocity of the oxygen gas increases, in accordance with the classic function of a venturi feature. This increased velocity in the oxygen gas causes greater turbulence with fuel gas (e.g., acetylene, MAPP, propane, natural gas) as supplied through the off-axis holes 24, thereby mixing these two gasses. This mixture of the oxygen and fuel gasses will now flow through the flexible gooseneck 14, then through the nozzle attachment coupler 16, and finally out the distal end of the torch nozzle 18. The flexible gooseneck hose 14 can be bent into nearly any shape desired to provide a means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points with the torch flame. Shut down procedures, disassembly, and reconfiguration of tool 8 are readily discerned based on the disclosure herein and what one of ordinary skill in the art of torch use would know.
More particularly as seen generally in the Figures and described above, we now further describe our innovative method for delivering a High-Pressure gas mixture from torch handle 48 to a High-Temperature torch nozzle 18, with specific reference to
Without being limited to a theory of understanding, the inventors have surprisingly discovered there is a tradeoff in how a tool delivers the High-Pressure gas mixture from the mixing chamber 10 to the torch nozzle 18, while also enabling a flexible means between chamber 10 and nozzle 18, such as flexible gooseneck hose 14. To meet both needs (which move in opposite directions to each other) and still have an efficient and effective tool 8, the inventors employ at least one the following step pairs. For example, a first pair of steps 150/160 can be step 150 of leaking a small portion of the High-Pressure gas mixture through a side wall 15 of the flexible gooseneck hose, and step 160 of delivering all of the High-Pressure gas mixture except the small portion of the High-Pressure gas mixture to the High-Temperature torch nozzle. This means a small portion of the High-Pressure gas is forced out and/or escapes through the sidewall 15 (e.g., about 1% to 10%, more preferably about 1% to 7% and most preferably about 1% to 4%) but not a significant enough amount to cause a fire or other hazard. In exchange for this very small gap or passageway in side wall 15, side wall 15 gains a sufficient amount of flexibility to be bent into nearly any shape desired to provide a means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points with the torch flame.
In addition to, or as an alternative to, the first pair of steps 150/160, the innovative method can employ a second pair of steps 180/210, such as step 180 of flowing the High-Pressure gas mixture through the flexible gooseneck hose without an internal fuel line, and step 210 of forming the flexible gooseneck hose in multiple temporary configurations relative to an elongated axis of the flexible gooseneck hose. This is an alternative way to deliver a sufficient amount of the High-Pressure gas mixture to the torch nozzle 18, and yet still have side walls 15 gain a sufficient amount of flexibility to be bent into nearly any shape desired to provide a means of accessing both difficult to reach and standardly impossible to access work points with the torch flame. Of particular import here, is the absence of an internal fuel line, for example made possible with the gooseneck structures described above, as well as others that can be used or constructed based on the teachings herein. In the end, it is the tools flexibility, in combination with its sufficient gas delivery that enables such a functional flexible torch tip tool and method unlike ever before possible.
In other aspects of the method related to tool 8 flexibility, it can further include maintaining the flexible gooseneck hose 14 in a particular temporary configuration of the multiple temporary configurations until a new configuring force acts upon the particular temporary configuration. For example, this can be starting with the particular configuration seen in
Further related to the tool's flexibility, while also enhancing is High-Pressure gas mixture delivery, the method can include using a sealing cover 13 over an outside of the flexible gooseneck hose 14, as seen in
Other aspects of the innovative method are directed to use of tool 8 and further versatility as desired for such tool. For example, the method can include adjusting the plurality of gases to form a desired High-Pressure gas mixture. Additionally, or alternately, the method can include dispensing the High-Pressure gas mixture out of the High-Temperature torch nozzle at the temperature of between about 4000 degrees Fahrenheit to 6000 degrees Fahrenheit, or more preferably at the temperature of between about 5000 degrees Fahrenheit to 6000 degrees Fahrenheit. Notably, this is now accomplished in combination with flexible gooseneck hose 14 unlike ever before possible. Still additionally, or alternately, the method can include selectively connecting and disconnecting the High-Temperature torch nozzle with the flexible gooseneck hose. For example, this is possible given the threaded relationship between the nozzle 18 and its attachment coupler 16.
Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application governs.
The invention includes the description, examples, features, embodiments, and drawings disclosed; but it is not limited to such description, examples, features, embodiments, or drawings. As briefly described above, the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the torch heating, welding, soldering, brazing, and cutting art, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/327,276, filed Apr. 4, 2022, and titled: FLEXIBLE TORCH TIP DEVICE.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63327276 | Apr 2022 | US |