Method of Rotating a Welding Torch During Operation

Abstract

A method of operating a welding torch using a rotating coupler assembly that operates between 0 and 800 amps. The rotating coupler assembly allows for 360 degrees of rotation while keeping rotational friction at a minimum. The breakaway torque for the rotating coupler assembly is insignificant and the rotating coupler assembly can be rotated with little effort by hand. While the rotating coupler assembly minimizes rotational friction the design allow for rotating coupler assembly to continue to operate after 1-5 mm of wear on the contact surfaces. An embodiment of the rotating coupler assembly can be quickly disconnected from the unicable.

Description

Claims

1. A method of rotating an electric welding torch, the method comprising: providing a rotating coupler assembly comprising: a central axis that extends from a distal to a proximal end of the rotating coupler assembly;a rotating contact member axially disposed within the rotating coupler assembly ;a sliding contact member axially disposed within the rotating coupler assembly;a receiving member axially disposed within the rotating coupler assembly;at least one radial contact member in mechanical and electrical communication with the sliding contact member and the receiving member;wherein the rotating contact member has a contact surface that is in mechanical and electrical communication with a contact surface on the sliding contact member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said rotating contact member, sliding contact member and receiving member are axially installed within an inner housing of the rotating coupler assembly.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said inner housing is axially installed within an outer housing of the rotating coupler assembly.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sliding contact member and rotating contact member are kept in mechanical and electrical communication via an axial member which allows for at least 5 mm of wear between the contact surfaces of the sliding contact member and rotating contact member.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said axial member is a spring which exerts between 44.48-111.20N (10-25lbf) of force in the axial direction when the rotating coupler is assembled.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said rotating coupler assembly can rotate continuously and can initiate rotation about the central axis by overcoming an initial frictional resistance to axial rotation generated by the contact surfaces of the rotating contact member and sliding contact member with a breakaway torque of ~0.202N-m (1.79 ft-lbs) or less.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said sliding contact member is able to move in the axial direction but is mechanically prevented from rotating about the central axis.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving member is mechanically prevented from rotating about the central axis or moving in the axial direction along the central axis.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said sliding contact member is axially disposed within the receiving member.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one radial contact member is a canted coil spring capable of conducting at least 800 amps of current.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one radial contact member is compressible and capable of conducting at least 800 amps of current.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces of the sliding contact member and rotating contact member are mating conical surfaces.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the sliding contact member is concave and the contact surface of the rotating contact member is convex.

13. The method claim 1 further comprising: an electrical and mechanical joint at the proximal end of the rotating coupler assembly;wherein the rotating coupler assembly can be independently separated from a supply cable via a detachable connection.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: a sliding member and a receiving member which are in electrical and mechanical communication via a radial contact member;wherein the radial contact member allows for quick and repeatable detachment and assembly between the supply cable and rotating coupler assembly.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said electrical and mechanical joint is capable of conducting 0-800 amps of electrical current.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein a pneumatic seal is disposed between the rotating contact member and sliding contact member.

17. A method of operating a welding torch assembly using a rotating coupler assembly comprising a central axis, a constant pressure apparatus, and a rotating contact member, the method comprising the steps of: creating an electrical connection between the rotating contact member and the constant pressure apparatus,preventing the constant pressure apparatus from rotating about the central axis,supporting the rotating contact member with at least one sealed bearing,rotating the rotating contact member about the central axis.

18. The method of operating a welding torch of claim 17, wherein the rotating coupler assembly further comprises: a substantially cylindrical outer housing with a proximal and distal end;a substantially cylindrical inner housing with a proximal and distal end axially disposed within the outer housing;wherein the at least one sealed bearing is disposed between the inner housing and rotating contact member;wherein the central axis defines a center of the rotating coupler assembly; the rotating contact member is substantially cylindrical with a proximal and distal end axially disposed within the inner housing, the constant pressure apparatus has a proximal and distal end axially disposed within the inner housing, and the rotating contact member is able to rotate about the central axis of the rotating coupler assembly during operation of the electric welding torch and the proximal end of the rotating contact member is in mechanical and electrical communication with the distal end of the constant pressure apparatus.

19. The method of operating a welding torch of claim 18, wherein the constant pressure apparatus further comprises: a sliding contact member with a proximal and distal end;a receiving member with a proximal and distal end;an anti-rotation member in mechanical communication with the sliding contact member and the receiving member;an axial force member in mechanical communication with the receiving member and the sliding contact member;wherein the axial force member exerts a force in the axial direction, along the central axis,against the receiving member and the sliding contact member; andwherein the sliding contact member is able to move in the axial direction, along the central axis, and maintain electrical and mechanical communication with at least one radial contact member which is in electrical and mechanical communication with the receiving member.