Method and apparatus for guiding multiple filler wires in welding groove

摘要

A guide nozzle for feeding multiple fusible filler metal wires into reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) metallic joints with control and stability of the filler metal position as it enters the molten pool area. The multiple filler wires are fed concurrently at the same or different feed rates. The guide nozzle is fabricated by flattening a circular tube into an oval or elliptical shape. In the case when the filler wires have the same diameter, the resulting oval or elliptical hole in the guide nozzle has a height greater than two times the diameter of the filler wires and a width greater than one diameter but less than two times the diameter of the filler wire. Alternatively, the guide nozzle is formed by forming a flat side on each of two circular tubes and then joining the flat sides together. Each tube has a circular hole of diameter greater than the diameter of the filler wire to be guided therein.