WELDING NOZZLE RETAINING RING WITH A TIGHT FIT

摘要

A welding nozzle retaining ring has a polygon configuration with alternating peaks and straight segments. One segment is cut. The retaining ring is sized such that the peaks lie along a circle having a diameter that is slightly greater than the inner diameter of a welding gun nozzle or similar tubular component. The midpoints of the inner surfaces of the retaining ring segments lie along a second circle having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a groove in a welding gun adapter or similar cylindrical component. With the retaining ring in the adapter groove, the welding nozzle is pushed over the adapter and the retaining ring. The nozzle inner diameter contacts and depresses the peaks of the retaining ring and simultaneously causes the segments to bend around the adapter groove. The retaining ring acts as a circumferential spring that provides a rigid radial connection between the nozzle and the adapter while enabling the nozzle to slide against friction along the adapter. The polygon design of the welding nozzle retaining ring enables the nozzle and adapter to be manufactured with increased tolerances while providing improved performance.