Oxy-fuel cutting safety apparatus

Abstract

Provided is safety apparatus (10) for use with oxyacetylene cutting, said safety apparatus (10) comprising a barrier shell (12) defining a lateral opening (14) and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface (16) and at least one handle (20) on an external surface (18). Apparatus (10) further includes a magnetic mounting mechanism (22) configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening (14) over a metal workpiece (8) to be oxy cut. In this manner, the barrier shell (12) encloses a portion of the workpiece (8) and the internal surface (16) forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of the workpiece (8).

Description

OXY-FUEL CUTTING SAFETY APPARATUSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates broadly to oxyacetylene welding and cutting, and more speci fically to safety apparatus for oxyacetylene welding and cutting, and an associated safety method of oxyacetylene cutting .BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only . The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application .

[0003] As is generally known in the art , oxyacetylene- fuel welding and cutting are processes that use fuel gases ( or liquid fuels such as gasoline or petrol , diesel , biodiesel , kerosene , etc . ) and oxygen to weld or cut metals . In oxy- fuel cutting, a torch is used to get the metal to be cut to its kindling temperature , before a stream of oxygen is focused on the heated metal . This causes the heated metal to be burnt into a metal oxide , with the cut width or kerf expelling slag due to the stream of fluid .

[0004] The expelled slag generally comprises metal oxide and molten metal energetically expelled from the workpiece , meaning there must be room on the opposite side of the workpiece for the spray to exit and / or safely land . Such expelled heat , spatter, molten material and sparks present appreciable safety hazards and risks to personnel and surrounding materials and equipment .

[0005] For example , in mining and similar industrial processes , repairs and maintenance to conveyor belts , material trans fer chutes , bins and hoppers , ground-engaging tools and heavy machinery may require cutting of bolts and similar fasteners holding metal components together via oxy cutting . Such repairs and maintenance require special planning and precautions to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment from the expelled by-products of the oxy cutting or welding process , often leading to delays in operations , increased costs , downtime , etc .

[0006] Accordingly, the Applicant has identi fied a need in the art of oxy cutting or welding to reduce the danger of such expelled by-products of the oxy cutting or welding process potentially damaging equipment , the environment or harming personnel , and the current invention was conceived with this goal in mind .SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that reference herein to 'oxyacetylene cutting' , 'oxy- fuel cutting' or 'oxy cutting' includes broad and inclusive reference to oxy welding techniques , as will become readily apparent to the skilled addressee within the scope of this disclosure . For example , while the safety apparatus described herein finds particular application with oxy cutting, it may also apply to oxy welding, depending on circumstances and requirements as will become apparent and be within the understanding of the skilled addressee in light of this disclosure .

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided safety apparatus for use with oxyacetylene cutting, said safety apparatus comprising : a barrier shell defining a lateral opening and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface and at least one handle on an external surface ; anda magnetic mounting mechanism configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening over a metal workpiece to be oxy cut, so that the barrier shell encloses a portion of the workpiece and the internal surface forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of said workpiece.

[0009] In an embodiment, the barrier shell is shaped and dimensioned to be man-portable.

[0010] In an embodiment, the barrier shell comprises a container-like structure with the lateral opening defined at one side thereof.

[0011] In an embodiment, the barrier shell comprises a singlelayer shell manufactured from a heat-resistant metal.

[0012] In an embodiment, the barrier shell comprises a doublewalled structure.

[0013] In an embodiment, the barrier shell comprises a doublewalled structure with said walls separated by a thermal insulator.

[0014] In an embodiment, the thermal insulator is selectable from a non-exhaus five group consisting of a vacuum, an air gap and a low thermal conductivity material, e.g. a ceramic material, a mineral wool, etc.

[0015] In an embodiment, the double-walled structure comprises and / or defines a baffle between the internal and external surfaces for normalizing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell.

[0016] In an embodiment, the barrier shell defines at least one baffle aperture for normalizing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell .

[0017] In an embodiment, the heat-resistant internal surface comprises a ceramic lining.

[0018] In an embodiment, the external surface comprises and / or defines a passive heat exchanger configured to facilitate heat exchange from the internal surface to the atmosphere.

[0019] In an embodiment, the magnetic mounting mechanism comprises a magnet arranged on the barrier shell proximate the lateral opening.

[0020] In an embodiment, magnetic mounting mechanism comprises a permanent magnetic chuck arranged on the barrier shell proximate the lateral opening.

[0021] In an embodiment, the permanent magnetic chuck comprises a mechanical lever configured to rotate at least one internal magnet of said permanent magnetic chuck to either align or dealign magnetic poles of such magnet to facilitate mounting or demounting of the barrier shell.

[0022] In an embodiment, the magnetic mounting mechanism comprises an electromagnet with a suitable electrical energy source and switch whereby the barrier shell is selectively and releasably mountable to enclose a portion of the workpiece.

[0023] In an embodiment, the handle is configured for facilitating manual handling of the barrier shell.

[0024] In an embodiment, the handle is fast with the external surface of the barrier shell and / or magnetic mounting mechanism.

[0025] In an embodiment, the handle comprises thermal insulation to a graspable portion thereof to minimise risk of thermal injury to a person grasping said handle.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a safety method for oxyacetylene cutting a metal workpiece , said method comprising the steps of : providing safety apparatus comprising a barrier shell defining a lateral opening and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface and at least one handle on an external surface , and a magnetic mounting mechanism configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening over the workpiece to be oxy cut ; mounting the safety apparatus so that the barrier shell encloses a portion of the workpiece and the internal surface forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of said workpiece ; and oxy-cutting the workpiece .

[0027] In an embodiment , the method includes the step of demounting the safety apparatus after the workpiece has been oxy cut .

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of oxyacetylene cutting comprising use of the safety apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention above .

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided safety apparatus for use with oxyacetylene cutting and an associated safety method for oxyacetylene cutting, substantially as herein described and / or illustrated .BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective-view representation of one embodiment of safety apparatus for use with oxyacetylene cutting, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;Figure 2 is a diagrammatic rear perspective-view representation o f the safety apparatus of Figure 1 , when mounted over a metal workpiece to be oxy cut ;Figure 3 is diagrammatic side-sectional representation of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 , showing a metal workpiece being oxy cut ;Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side-sectional representation of another embodiment of safety apparatus , in accordance with aspects of the present invention, showing a double-walled structure with a baf fle ;Figure 5 is a diagrammatic front perspective-view representation of an embodiment of a magnetic mounting mechanism of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 ; andFigure 6 represents a diagrammatic flow diagramme showing method steps for a safety method for oxyacetylene cutting a metal workpiece , in accordance with aspects of the present invention .DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof . This description is included solely for the purposes of exempli fying the present invention to the skilled addressee . It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above .

[0031] In the figures , incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments , like reference numerals are used to identi fy like parts throughout . Additionally, features , mechanisms and aspects well-known and understood in the art will not be described in detail , as such features , mechanisms and aspects will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0032] Additionally, the accompanying figures do not represent engineering or design drawings , but provide a functional overview of the invention only . As a result , features and practical construction details required for various embodiments may not be indicated in each figure , but such construction requirements will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0033] Broadly, the present invention provides for safety apparatus 10 for managing the expelled heat , spatter, molten material and sparks resulting from oxy-fuel cutting and welding . In a typical embodiment , the safety apparatus 10 comprises a barrier shell 12 and a magnetic mounting mechanism 22 , as described in more detail below .

[0034] With reference now to the accompanying drawings , there is shown one possible embodiment of such safety apparatus 10 comprising a barrier shell 12 defining a lateral opening 14 and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface 16 and at least one handle 20 on an external surface 18 , as shown .

[0035] In a typical embodiment, the handle 20 is configured for facilitating manual handling of the barrier shell 12 . In one embodiment , the barrier shell 12 is generally shaped and dimensioned to be man-portable to allow easy transportability and handling when mounting the barrier shell 12 over a portion of a workpiece 8 . For example , in the exempli fied embodiment , theworkpiece comprises a bolt holding metal surfaces or components together .

[0036] In one embodiment , the barrier shell 12 comprises a container-like structure with the lateral opening 14 defined at one side thereof , as shown . The skilled addressee is to appreciate that , whilst a substantially cuboid barrier shell 12 is exempli fied, an overall shape of the barrier shell 12 is not limited and may take various forms . For example , in one embodiment the barrier shell may comprise a hal f-circle type shape , or the like .

[0037] In one embodiment , the handle 20 is fast with an external surface 18 of the barrier shell 12 and / or magnetic mounting mechanism 22 . In a typical embodiment , the handle 20 comprises thermal insulation over a graspable portion thereof to minimise risk of thermal inj ury to a person grasping said handle 20 .

[0038] Apparatus 10 also includes the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 which is generally configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening 14 of the barrier shell 12 over the metal workpiece 8 to be oxy cut . In this manner, the barrier shell 12 encloses a portion of the workpiece , such as the rear of the bolt , and the internal surface 16 of the barrier shell 12 forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of the workpiece 8 . Of course , the barrier shell 12 is generally mounted over a side or portion of the workpiece from which heat , sparks and molten material will be expelled, so that the barrier shell 12 may form a barrier thereto .

[0039] In one embodiment , the barrier shell 12 comprises a single-layer shell manufactured from a heat-resistant metal . In another embodiment , the barrier shell 12 comprises a double-walled structure 24 . In such an embodiment in which the barrier shell 12 comprises a double-walled structure 24 , the respective walls 24are typically separated by a thermal insulator 26. Such a thermal insulator 26 may take various forms, such as a vacuum, an air gap, a low thermal conductivity material, e.g. a ceramic material, a mineral wool, etc.

[0040] In one embodiment, as exemplified in Figure 4, the double-walled structure 24 comprises and / or defines a baffle 28.1 between the internal and external surfaces 16 and 18 of the barrier shell 12 for normalizing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell 12. Variations hereon are possible and anticipated. For example, in embodiments where the barrier shell 12 comprises a single layer, the barrier shell 12 may define at least one baffle aperture 28 for normalizing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell 12. Alternatively, in a double-walled structure 24, each inner and outer walls 24 may define suitable baffle apertures 28, typically with such apertures 28 offset from each other to act as a baffle 28.1 In this manner, gasses and suspended materials may be safely captured within, or released from, the barrier shell 12 as the workpiece is oxy cut.

[0041] In one embodiment, the heat-resistant internal surface 16 comprises a ceramic lining or similar heat-resistant material. For example, in a simple embodiment, the barrier shell 12 may be manufactured from a single layer of metal, which is heat-resistant.

[0042] In one embodiment, the external surface 18 of the barrier shell 12 comprises and / or defines a passive heat exchanger 32 which is configured to facilitate heat exchange from the internal surface 16 to the atmosphere. For example, such a heat exchanger may comprise fins or similar heatsink structures to increase a surface area of the external surface 18 in order to facilitate atmospheric heat exchange. Similarly, the barrier shell 22 may also define a lifting aperture or lug (not shown) to facilitate lifting the safety apparatus 10 via mechanical means, such as a crane, or thelike. Such lifting lug typically finds application when oxy cutting or welding at heights, or the like.

[0043] In one embodiment, the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 comprises a magnet, such as a rare-earth magnet, which is arranged on the barrier shell 12 proximate the lateral opening 14. Alternatively, or additionally, in one embodiment the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 comprises an electromagnet with a suitable electrical energy source and switch 30 whereby the barrier shell 12 is selectively and releasably mountable to enclose a portion of the workpiece 8. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 may take various forms and configurations. For example, another embodiment may comprise a permanent magnet (s) which is rotatably or swivelably mounted to the barrier shell 12 so that an orientation of said magnet (s) is changeable to facilitate magnetic mounting over a workpiece.

[0044] For example, in one embodiment exemplified in Figure 5, the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 comprises a permanent magnetic chuck or similar mechanism arranged on the barrier shell 12 proximate the lateral opening 14. In such an embodiment, the permanent magnetic chuck typically comprises a mechanical lever 34 which is configured to rotate an internal magnet (s) of said permanent magnetic chuck to either align or de-align a magnetic pole(s) of such magnet (s) to facilitate mounting or demounting of the barrier shell 12.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the skilled addressee will appreciate that one embodiment of the magnetic mounting mechanism 22 includes a suitable switching mechanism, such as mechanical lever 34, for moving an internal magnet assembly to direct the magnetic force either through the workpiece surface (ON) , so that the apparatus 10 attaches magnetically, or contained within the magnet (s) itself (OFF) , so that the apparatus 10 is demountable from the metal workpiece 8. In this manner, while the magnet (s)within the chuck are always active , the magnetic flux remains locked inside the chuck when it is turned of f . Once the chuck is turned on, the magnet ( s ) is aligned and the magnetic flux travels through the workpiece 8 for magnetic attachment . Of course , variations hereon are possible and expected and within the principle of mechanical equivalence .

[0046] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that the present invention includes an associated safety method 40 for oxyacetylene cutting a metal workpiece 8 . As exempli fied by the flow diagramme of Figure 5 , such a method 40 typically comprises the steps of providing 42 safety apparatus 10 , as described, releasably mounting 44 the lateral opening 14 thereof over the workpiece 8 to be oxy cut so that the barrier shell 12 encloses a portion of the workpiece and the internal surface forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting, and oxy-cutting 46 the workpiece . In one embodiment , the method 40 includes the step of demounting 48 the safety apparatus after the workpiece 8 has been oxy cut .

[0047] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for man-portable safety apparatus 10 which is easily and removably mountable over a workpiece to be oxy cut in order to form a barrier to expelled heat , spatter, molten material and sparks resulting from such oxy cutting, thereby reducing the danger of such expelled by-products of the oxy cutting or welding process potentially damaging equipment , the environment or harming personnel .

[0048] In the example embodiments , well-known processes , well- known device structures , and well-known technologies are not described in detail , as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee . Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts , elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of theparts, elements or features. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0049] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and / or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0050] Variations (e.g. modifications and / or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0051] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and / or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising, " "having, " "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification shouldbe construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0052] Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus 10 in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the apparatus in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The apparatus 10 may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0053] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Safety apparatus for use with oxyacetylene cutting, said safety apparatus comprising : a barrier shell defining a lateral opening and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface and at least one handle on an external surface ; and a magnetic mounting mechanism configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening over a metal workpiece to be oxy cut , so that the barrier shell encloses a portion of the workpiece and the internal surface forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of said workpiece .2 . The safety apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the barrier shell is shaped and dimensioned to be man-portable .3 . The safety apparatus of either of claims 1 or 2 , wherein the barrier shell comprises a container-like structure with the lateral opening defined at one side thereof .4 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the barrier shell comprises a single-layer shell manufactured from a heat-resistant metal .5 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the barrier shell comprises a double-walled structure .6 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3 or 5 , wherein the barrier shell comprises a double-walled structure with said walls separated by a thermal insulator .7 . The safety apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the thermal insulator is selectable from a non-exhaustive group consisting of a vacuum, an air gap and a low thermal conductivity material , e . g . a ceramic material , a mineral wool , etc .8 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the double-walled structure comprises and / or defines a baf fle between the internal and external surfaces for normali zing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell .9 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the barrier shell defines at least one baf fle aperture for normali zing a fluid pressure inside the barrier shell .10 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the heat-resistant internal surface comprises a ceramic lining .11 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the external surface comprises and / or defines a passive heat exchanger configured to facilitate heat exchange from the internal surface to the atmosphere .12 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the magnetic mounting mechanism comprises a magnet arranged on the barrier shell proximate the lateral opening .13 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12 , wherein magnetic mounting mechanism comprises a permanent magnetic chuck arranged on the barrier shell proximate the lateral opening .14 . The safety apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the permanent magnetic chuck comprises a mechanical lever conf igured to rotate at least one internal magnet of said permanent magnetic chuck to either align or de-align a magnetic pole of such magnet to facilitate mounting or demounting of the barrier shell .15 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the magnetic mounting mechanism comprises an electromagnet with a suitable electrical energy source and switch whereby the barriershell is selectively and releasably mountable to enclose a portion of the workpiece .16 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the handle is configured for facil itating manual handling of the barrier shell .17 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 16 , wherein the handle is fast with the external surface of the barrier shell and / or magnetic mounting mechanism .18 . The safety apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the handle comprises thermal insulation on a graspable portion thereof to minimise risk of thermal inj ury to a person grasping said handle .19 . A safety method for oxyacetylene cutting a metal workpiece , said method comprising the steps of : providing safety apparatus comprising a barrier shell defining a lateral opening and comprising a heat-resistant internal surface and at least one handle on an external surface , and a magnetic mounting mechanism configured for selectively and releasably mounting the lateral opening over the workpiece to be oxy cut ; mounting the safety apparatus so that the barrier shell encloses a portion of the workpiece and the internal surface forms a barrier to material expelled during oxy cutting of said workpiece ; and oxy-cutting the workpiece .20 . The method of claim 19 , which includes the step of demounting the safety apparatus after the workpiece has been oxy cut .

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