Apparatus and method for performing welding at elevated temperature

摘要

A welding apparatus (50) includes a workpiece housing (52) having a window (70) therethrough and having a welding access therethrough for a welder (63) to an interior (54) of the workpiece housing (52). The workpiece housing (52) is metallic with a heat insulation on an internal surface (66) thereof. A lamp heat source (72) is directed through the window (70) and at the workpiece (20) in the interior (54) of the workpiece housing (52). A gas source (86) delivers a controllable flow of a shielding gas to the interior (54) of the workpiece housing (52). A temperature sensor (100) senses a temperature of the workpiece (20) within the interior (54) of the workpiece housing (52). A feedback controller (104) controls the power to the lamp heat source (72) responsive to the temperature of the workpiece (20). To perform welding, the workpiece (20) is placed into the interior (54) of the workpiece housing (52) so as to have its temperature sensed by the temperature sensor (100), and the gas source (86) is operated to envelope the workpiece (20) in the shielding gas. The workpiece (20) is heated by powering the lamp heat source (72) responsive to a setpoint input (106) and to the temperature of the workpiece (20). The workpiece (20) is welded using a welder (63) operating through the welding access. <IMAGE>