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Title: Heat sink welding and purging apparatus
Claims: What is claimed as new is as follows: 1. Apparatus for heat sinking and purging pipes to be welded for use in nuclear systems and the like, comprising: first means for sealing internally the adjacent ends of two abutting pipes to be welded; and, second means for directing a coolant into the first means for cooling said sealed abutting pipe ends in order to effect a heat sink function in order to keep the temperature of the weld area below that where the dangers of carbide precipitation occur. 2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means includes inflatable members mountable internally of each of said pipes and expandable by the coolant in order to form a tight seal internally therewith. 3. The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second means includes coolant feed lines and coolant return lines associated with the inflatable members in order to cool the pipes adjacent the joint to be welded. 4. The structure as set forth in claim 3, together with third means for purging the atmosphere in the sealed portion between the inflatable members which is internally of the joint being welded. 5. The structure as set forth in claim 3, together with a coolant compressor connected to the coolant feed lines by quick connect/disconnect couplings, and purge gas source means connected to the space between the inflatable members. 6. The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first means also includes central support structure for supporting the inflatable members thereon and the associated lines therefor, and also the input for the purging means. 7. A purging and cooling apparatus for use with the welding of cylindrical members, comprising: inflatable means for expandable engagement with the cylindrical members to be welded adjacent the weld joint, and means for adding inflation and coolant medium to the inflatable means for inflating the inflatable means and cooling the area near the weld joint, the inflation and coolant medium being the same fluid material. 8. The structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein the inflatable means includes at least two expandable bladder members which when inflated securely engage with the metal surface of the cylindrical members, and at least one inflation-coolant line is provided to each of the bladder members. 9. The structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least one exhaust-coolant line is provided to each of the bladder members. 10. The structure as set forth in claim 8, together with separate cryogenic coils provided on the bladder members for contact with the metal surface of the cylindrical members, and appropriate input and output lines connected to said coils for feeding a cryogenic medium through the coils. 11. The structure as set forth in claim 9, together with a purging fluid input means for the space between the two inflatable bladder members in order to purge the atmosphere contained between same and adjacent the weld joint. 12. The structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the expandable bladder members are each mounted on a central tubular support member and the inflation/coolant lines run inside the central tubular member for ease of installation and operation. 13. The structure as set forth in claim 12, wherein the exhaust/coolant lines also run inside the central tubular member for protection and ease of installation in operation. 14. The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means connected to the inflatable means in order to provide the inflation and coolant medium consists of quick change connect and disconnect couplings between the inflation/coolant lines and the exhaust/coolant lines in order to allow a number of multiple apparatus to be operated from the same coolant compressor. 15. The structure as set forth in claim 12, together with separate purge gas means for applying an inert gas to the area between the two inflated bladder members and the weld joint for the purpose of displacing any combustible and contaminated air contained therein. 16. The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run inside of the central tubular member and supported thereby, and purge gas supply means connected to the external portion of said purge line by quick connect/disconnect coupling. 17. The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run through one of the bladder members and opening into the weld area, and connected to a source of purge gas by quick connect/disconnect coupling members externally of the pipe end bladder member. 18. The structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the expandable bladder members each have a central tubular support member, and the inflation/coolant lines run inside the central tubular support members for ease of installation and operation. 19. The structure as set forth in claim 18, wherein the exhaust/coolant lines also run inside the tubular support members for protection and ease of installation and operation. 20. The structure as set forth in claim 19, wherein the means connected to the inflatable means in order to provide the inflation and coolant medium consist of quick change connect and disconnect couplings between the inflation/coolant lines and the exhaust/coolant lines in order to allow a multiple number of apparatus to be operated from the same coolant compressor. 21. The structure as set forth in claim 18, together with separate purge gas means for applying an inert gas to the area between the two inflated bladder members and the well joint for the purpose of displacing any combustible and contaminated air contained therein. 22. The structure as set forth in claim 21, wherein the purge means includes a separate purge line run inside at least one of the tubular support members and supported by same, and purge gas supply means connected to the external portion of said purge line by a quick connect/disconnect coupling. Other info: Inventors: Sloan, Marlo S. (Bakersfield, CA, US) Renfro, Jr., Arthur B. (Bakersfield, CA, US) Application Number: 708224 Filing Date: 1976-07-23 Publication_date: 1978-07-18 Assignee: Sloan Purge Products Co., Inc. (Bakersfield, CA) Primary Class(es): 228/222 219/136, 228/46, 228/219 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Watson, Robert C. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: O'Brien; Clarence A., Jacobson; Harvey B. |
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