Welding Torch Forced Air Cooling Handle Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air-cooled welding or cutting torches face limitations in achieving high welding or cutting performance without increasing handle temperature, which affects handling and efficiency, and existing solutions are either complex or costly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a conveying device, such as a fan or compressor, within the handle of the torch to force ambient air through a cooling duct, enhancing cooling capacity without increasing handle temperature, and utilizing this setup to operate with higher power or reduce material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If air-cooled welding torch is operated at higher output, then welding or cutting performance is improved, but handle temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding or cutting performanceVSAvoidhandle temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling ducts (first cooling duct and second cooling duct) that can operate independently or together. The first cooling duct cools the burner nozzle, while the second cooling duct cools the handle, allowing targeted cooling of different hot spots to enable higher output without handle temperature increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device (fan or compressor) is pre-positioned within the handle structure, and cooling ducts are pre-routed through the handle interior before operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures immediate forced convection cooling is available when high output is engaged, preventing handle temperature rise before it occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If liquid-cooled device is used, then cooling capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the liquid cooling system (which requires pumps, coolant tanks, and heat exchangers) with a forced air convection system using a conveying device (fan or compressor). This substitution maintains effective cooling capacity while eliminating the complex liquid circulation infrastructure, resulting in a simpler device structure and lower cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device is powered by the welding torch's own electrical system, and the cooling air is drawn from the ambient environment through openings in the handle. The system uses readily available resources (ambient air and onboard electricity) rather than requiring external cooling infrastructure, simplifying the overall system design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration allows for a substantial increase in welding or cutting capacity, with outputs enhanced by over 10% or reduced material expenditure, while maintaining handle temperature within safe limits, and enabling continuous or intermittent cooling for improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

a conveying device, in particular a fan or a compressor, is provided, which conveys ambient air as cooling air through at least one cooling duct of the welding or cutting torch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2601003B1Cutting or welding torch woth forced air cooling
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 ALEXANDER BINZEL SCHWEISSTECHN GMBH & CO
  • EP2601003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2601003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2601003B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air-cooled welding or cutting torch has a feed device (5), in particular a fan (6) or a compressor, which takes in ambient air as cooling air and feeds it for cooling purposes through at least one cooling channel (7).