Apparatus and method for reducing the waste of welding gas

Claim 3

A gas delivery apparatus comprising, a source of high pressure gas, a main gas line for delivering gas from said source, at least one gas consuming stations, for each station a branch gas line for delivering gas from said main line to said station, there being as many branch lines as there are stations in the system with each branch line having only one station connected therein, and a control in each of said branch lines, said control further comprising, a pressure regulator connected in the branch line for substantially reducing the pressure of the gas at the output of the regulator, and a surge tank means in fluid communication with the output of the pressure regulator and an with said only one station, whereby the flow of gas delivered from said control to said station at said reduced pressure is greater during the transient period immediately upon operating the station, than during steady state operating conditions.

Claim 4

A gas delivery apparatus comprising, a source of high pressure gas, a main gas line for delivering gas from said source, at least one gas consuming stations, for each station a branch gas line for delivering gas from said main line to said station, there being as many branch lines as there are stations in the system with each branch line having only one station connected therein, and a control in each of said branch lines, said control further comprising, a pressure regulator connected in the branch line for substantially reducing the pressure of the gas at the output of the regulator, and a surge tank means in fluid communication with the output of the pressure regulator and an with said only one station, whereby the flow of gas delivered from said control to said station at said reduced pressure is greater during the transient period immediately upon operating the station, than during steady state operating conditions.

Claim 5

The system of claim 2 wherein said control further comprises: a housing, said pressure regulator being mounted within said housing; and means providing selective access to said regulator for adjustment thereof to prevent unauthorized tampering with said regulator.

Claim 6

The system of claim 3 wherein said surge tank is located within said housing.

Claim 7

The system of claim 4 wherein said selective access means is a key operated closure.

Claim 8

The system of claim 4 wherein said selective access means further comprises a closure operable between a locked/closed position and an open position to provide an opening in the housing with the closure in the open position, said opening allowing insertion therethrough of an adjusting tool for adjusting said regulator.

Claim 9

The system of claim 4 further comprising a pressure gauge in fluid communication with said regulator output.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7 wherein said gauge is mounted within said housing for reading exteriorly of said housing with said housing closed.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said gauge is mounted in a wall of said housing with its face exteriorly exposed for ready reading.

Claim 12

The system of claim 2 wherein said gas is inert and said gas consuming stations are welding stations.

Claim 13

A gas delivery system comprising, a source of high pressure gas, a main gas line for delivering gas from said source, at least one gas consuming station, for each station a branch gas line for delivering gas from said main line to said station, there being as many branch lines as there are stations in the system with each branch line having only one station connected therein, and a control in each of said branch lines, said control further comprising, a housing having control inlet and outlet connections for fluid communication in a branch gas line, said control outlet connection for fluid communication with said only one station, a pressure regulator within said housing, said regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said control inlet, a surge tank within said housing, said surge tank being in fluid communication with said regulator outlet and said control outlet, a pressure gauge within said housing in fluid communication with said regulator outlet, said gauge being mounted for reading from exteriorly of said housing with the housing closed, and means providing selective access to said regulator for adjustment thereof to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith, said selective access means further comprising a closure operable between a locked/closed position and an open position and providing an opening in said housing with the closure in the open position for insertion of an adjusting tool therethrough for adjusting said regulator, whereby the flow of gas delivered from said control to said station at said reduced pressure is greater during the transient period immediately upon operating the station, than during steady state operating conditions.

Claim 14

A gas delivery system comprising, a source of high pressure gas, a main gas line for delivering gas from said source, at least one gas consuming station, for each station a branch gas line for delivering gas from said main line to said station, there being as many branch lines as there are stations in the system with each branch line having only one station connected therein, and a control in each of said branch lines, said control further comprising, a housing having control inlet and outlet connections for fluid communication in a branch gas line, said control outlet connection for fluid communication with said only one station, a pressure regulator within said housing, said regulator having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said control inlet, a surge tank within said housing, said surge tank being in fluid communication with said regulator outlet and said control outlet, a pressure gauge within said housing in fluid communication with said regulator outlet, said gauge being mounted for reading from exteriorly of said housing with the housing closed, and means providing selective access to said regulator for adjustment thereof to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith, said selective access means further comprising a closure operable between a locked/closed position and an open position and providing an opening in said housing with the closure in the open position for insertion of an adjusting tool therethrough for adjusting said regulator, whereby the flow of gas delivered from said control to said station at said reduced pressure is greater during the transient period immediately upon operating the station, than during steady state operating conditions.