Torch for preheating a continuously fed welding wire

摘要

A torch for use in welding has a first embodiment for gas metal arc welding and a second embodiment used for hot wire gas-tungsten arc welding. Both embodiments include a torch housing having a first and second end. A wire guide tube is centrally disposed within the housing. An upper electrode contact tip, a lower electrode contact tip and a dielectric material disposed therebetween are positioned at one end of the wire guide tube. An inner power cooling assembly comprises a first cylindrical member concentrically disposed about the wire guide tube and provides electric power to the upper electrode contact tip. The inner power cooling assembly defines a first chamber within which cooling water is circulated in contact with the upper electrode contact tip. An outer power cooling assemblycomprises a second cylindrical member and is electrically isolating from the inner power assembly. The second cylindrical member is in electrical communication with the lower electrode contact tip and defines therewithin a second chamber within which cooling water is circulated. In the gas metal arc welding configuration, a gas supply assembly is included in the torch housing and comprises an outer gas tube circumferentially disposed about the second cylindrical member.