Welding

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The practice of using bottled gas also has associated

WELDING with it a large number of other problems such as the possibility of gas leaking from bottles, possibility of

This invention relates to welding, brazing and the industrial disputes which can result in severe delays in like, utilizing hydrogen and oxygen, and extends to delivery and in supply shortages, liabilities, high pur such applications as oxy-welding, oxy-cutting, atomic chase and storage costs, freight charges, and so on. welding, and welding or cutting in combination with To illustrate some of the conditions which the con electric arc techniques. The invention also provides for sumer of bottled gas must put up with, listed below is a the generation of hydrogen and oxygen for the above summary of the "conditions of sale' which apply to the mentioned applications in combination therewith or O salea. The and distribution of bottled gas.

cylinder remains the sole property of the sup separately.

A most important application of the invention is plier, which retains the right to exercise at any time its atomic welding utilizing the properties of atomic oxy proprietory powers in its discretion. gen in combination with atomic hydrogen (for welding) 15 b. All cylinders and contents are forwarded at the or atomic oxygen separately (for cutting). This particu expense and risk of the customers. c. It is the responsibility of the customers to provide lar application of the invention is based, among other adequate labour for the loading and unloading of all things, on the appreciation that considerable energy is cylinders at the premises.

associated with the dissociation of molecular oxygen d. Cylinders are to be returned to the supplier as soon into atomic oxygen by passing this gas through an arc, 20 as empty, carriage and freight charges paid. and that this property can be usefully employed to generate temperatures even higher than those previ supplier at its works or“returned' e. A cylinder is not until received by the ously attainable with, for example, an atomic hydrogen receipt on the suppliers form givenor for warehouse by its truck and a the same. No flame. The significance of the energy which can be document purporting to be a receipt for any such cylin obtained in this way can be appreciated from the fol 25 der shall be valid unless it is the suppliers printed form lowing reactions that take place, and the heat energies of receipt.

associated therewith, when hydrogen and oxygen are f. Cylinders are not transferable and must not be used both passed through an electric arc. Thus: for any purpose other than as containers for the gas sold by the supplier and must not be delivered or sent

H+ H absorbing 101,000 cal. per gram mole 30 for recharging to any place other than the suppliers gas

O, O -- O absorbing 17,000 cal. per gram mole station.

total 218,000 cal. per gram mole g. The customer agrees not to resell to any person or Corporation, the gas contents of the cylinders of any part thereof.

On recombination of these atoms this energy is re 35 h. Customers are held responsible for all loss or dam leased as heat through a number of complex chemical age to cylinders from whatever cause arising from the reactions and results in an extremely high flame tem time of delivery until returned to the suppliers. (Cus perature. Previously it would not have been considered tomers are advised to cover the cylinders by insur possible to practically pass oxygen or a mixture of oxy ance).

gen and hydrogen together through an arc due to the 40 i. Where a customer has not returned a cylinder in highly explosive or inflammable nature of such gases. good order and condition within six months from the However in accordance with the concepts of the pre date of delivery, the supplier may, at its option, charge sent invention this is indeed both possible and practical the customer with an amount not exceeding the agreed and, as mentioned above, enables the realization of value of the cylinder and the demurrage due in respect much higher welding or cutting temperatures than hith 45 thereof, and such amount is payable by the customer as erto obtainable by known practical means. liquidated damages for the detention of the cylinder. One of the objects of the present invention is to pro Notwithstanding the payment of such amount in re vide a method and apparatus whereby hydrogen and spect of any cylinder, it remains the property of the oxygen can be generated quickly and conveniently for suppliers and the right of the suppliers to recover pos immediate use for welding, etc., without many of the 50 session thereof is not affected in any way. disadvantages associated with conventional gas welding j. No allowance is made on any residual gas returned practice. For example, the practice of employing cylin in the cylinders.

ders (or "bottles') of gas, usually oxygen and acetylene k. And many other conditions varying in the different can have significant disadvantages, particularly for countries in the world.

users working remote from a supply depot and for 55 Another disadvantage, which is associated with oxy whom there might be an appreciable delay between the hydrogen welding arises due to the marked ability of placing of an order for a delivery of gas the the actual hydrogen to be absorbed by most metals. Thus when delivery. For such users, in order to ensure an adequate welding steel, for example, great care must be taken to supply of gas when a particular job demands it, it is ensure that excess hydrogen is not present otherwise it often necessary to order fresh supplies in advance, even 60 will be absorbed in the metal to cause loss of strength before the supply on hand is fully used, or else risk and brittleness. On the other hand, an excess of oxygen running out of gas before a job is completed. Since would cause burning of the metal and should thus bottles of gas are generally delivered on a strictly ex equally be avoided. It is most important therefore that change basis - in that a used bottle must be returned with oxy-hydrogen welding the mixture at the burner in exchange for a refilled bottle - the practice can 65 be adjusted to produce a neutral flame, that is, one in mean a significant waste, as far as the user is con which there is neither excess hydrogen nor excess oxy cerned, if bottles containing useful amounts of unused gen. In practice it is most difficult to maintain (and gas have to be returned to the supplier. virtually impossible to judge by flame colour) a neutral

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flame, and for that reason oxy-hydrogen welding is not which both hydrogen and oxygen can be mixed within widely used despite the inherent advantages of low cost the cell, and in which cells can be connected in series, and high heat value offered by hydrogen as a fuel. parallel, or parallel and series to suit requirements. These and other disadvantages can be overcome to a i. The choice of materials for the electrodes. significant extent by the present invention whereby j. The quantity of acids or alkali to be used. hydrogen and oxygen fuel are generated simulta k. The shapes of cells according to purpose of the neously by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell and al cells, and the application for which they are designed. lowed to freely mix therein to form a stoichiometric I. The possibility of improvement with permanent or mixture that will burn with a neutral flame. The fuel gas electro-magnetically induced fields applied to the elec can be generated where and whenever required 10 trolytic cells, to cause controlled separation of a quan thereby eliminating the need for storage of bottles of tity of the gases generated in the cells. gas and reliance on regular deliveries of gas which m. Ensuring effective circulation of electrolyte be often cannot be guaranteed. tween the electrodes, with as little electrical resistance The method of the present invention requires no as possible.

diaphragms or the like to separate the hydrogen and 15 n.The possibility of using sodium hydroxide or potas oxygen liberated by the electrolysis process and sium hydroxide which, in concentrations from 10% up thereby enables considerable advantages to be realized to 30%, which has negligible corrosion action on iron over conventional electrolytic production of these or nickel electrodes, apart from producing a solution of gases. Such diaphragms have normally been regarded good conductivity.

as essential for conventional electrolytic generators in 20 o. The use of the cooling effect by passing of hydro order to separate the two gases that would otherwise gen and oxygen gases, for cooling electrolyte in the form a highly explosive mixture; however, it has been cell, for controlling the cell temperature, preferably found, in accordance with the present invention, that between 40 C to 60 C, at which temperature the the two gases can be safely, and usefully, produced and bonds between hydrogen and oxygen need a minimum utilized as a mixture for fuel purposes provided that 25 of electrical energy to break.

suitable safety precautions, such as the employment of p. The separation of hydrogen and oxygen from a a flash-back arrestor, are taken. Such safety precau mixture, using, possibly, a permanent magnetic field, or tions may include, for example, the employment of a an electro-magnetic field which can be controlled to device which removes electrolyte vapour from the gas obtain a desired separation between the hydrogen and and at the same time acts as a flash-back arrestor. In 30 oxygen. Based on this principle, the oxygen could be obviating the need for diaphragms or the like the pre substantially separated from the mixture and the hydro sent invention enables the electrodes to be placed gen could be absorbed by, for example, selected met much closer together and avoids the high resistance als, which have high absorption affinity for hydrogen associated with diaphragms, which in turn enables a (for example, paladium which absorbs 900 times more significant increase in the rate of gas production for a 35 hydrogen from its volume). Also, using the principle of given size of apparatus. In short the present invention the invention, hydrogen and oxygen can be generated enables the manufacture of small size equipment that is in large quantities with small units and the oxygen useful for a large variety of welding and similar work could, for example, be separated and used to supply and that is not prohibitively bulky for the average situa hospitals, baby rooms, air conditioning systems, or for tion: something which is impossible with conventional 40 any other application, when oxygen is required. Oxy hydrogen-oxygen generating equipment. gen can, in this way, be generated much faster and In the development of apparatus from the basic con more conveniently than with conventional electrolytic cept of generation of hydrogen and oxygen electrolyti generating equipment.

cally in a practical manner suitable for large industrial q. The possibility of absorbing the hydrogen or oxy applications on the one hand, and small domestic appli 45 gen by specially selected materials in small containers cations on the other hand, a number of factors had to and where the absorbed gas can be extracted when be taken into account, analysed and weighed one desired for welding or brazing where it would be incon against the other. The following is a list of some of venient or impossible to do so with conventional equip these factors to illustrate what has been involved. ment.

a. Endosmotic pressure to be balanced against the 50 r. Making the welding operator entirely independent hydrostatic pressure of the fluid. of any gas suppliers.

b. Rate of flow of electric current in relation to the s. The generation of cheap gas, up to 6 to 7 times area of the electrodes. cheaper than normal gas supplies. c. The prior art problem of removing the gases from t. The design of equipment which gives not only pro anolyte and catholyte, before diffusion and before the 55 fessional welders, but handymen, or people who would electrolytes are intermixed. like to do welding at home with oxy-welding apparatus, d. Effects of rapid changes in the rate of flow of but would do it only occasionally and could not justify electricity through the cell. the expense associated with conventional gas supplies. e. Effects of auxiliary decomposition within the Such people cannot justify paying for bottles of gas for anode and cathode sides of the cell. 60 a single welding only (having to keep the bottles, pay f. The choice of the most readily ionized electrolyte ing rent for them to keep them up to two years, to of a maximum conductivity. perform the next welding). For this reason, the welding g. The least possible spacing between anode and apparatus made possible by the present invention is cathode that can be employed. ideal because it produces gases for welding at the time h. A design of cell in which previously it was regarded 65 and in the quantity that is needed. impossible for the H2 and O, given to become mixed u. Hydrogen-oxygen welding has the advantage that with safety, which does away with diaphragms or the it does not pollute the atmosphere as does oxy-acety like which would increase the internal, resistance, in lene welding.

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v. The design of electrolytic cells which are safe to example, the welding of 10 mm steel plate) the re use as well as convenient, which cells may incorporate quired amperage becomes excessive (typically of the their own flash-back arrestors as a safety precaution or order of 900A or more) when considering the size of an equivalent means, to prevent the hazards of explo conductors and transformer and the problem of heat sion or fire. generation. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention w. The control of the current which passes through these problems can be significantly reduced by arrang the cells, the temperature of the cell, which is a func ing a plurality of cells in series and using a much tion of current, the control of the separation of the smaller current to obtain the same effective gas output. gases, and the removal from the gases of electrolyte In effect the capacity of a series of cells for a given vapours. In this regard there has been designed a spe 10 current input is that of a single cell multiplied by the cial unit with preferably conical electrodes, and a flash number of cells. Alternatively the current requirement back arrestor. The flash arrestor may be constituted by is reduced by a factor equal to the number of cells - a pellet of porous material, or a long capilliary pipe for a given rate of gas production. located between the gas generator and a burner head. Even so a large number of separate cells can be ex The fire hazards associated with a mixture of hydrogen 15 cessively bulky for portable applications and in a fur and oxygen cannot be overemphasized and indeed it is ther aspect of the invention, therefore, the bulk can be probably mainly because of the recognized dangers greatly reduced by arranging the cells as a single unit in associated therewith that extreme lengths have been which a number of electrodes, effectively in series, are taken to separate the two gases completely until they arranged adjacent each other in a common electrolytic reach the burner. In accordance with the present inven 20 chamber, the chamber being provided with a gas col tion it has been realized that, contrary to long standing lection space and an output for connection to, for ex opinions, the gases can be safely mixed together even ample, gas burner means. Furthermore, only the end when being produced and as a result many desirable electrodes need be connected to an external source of advantages can be realized. electrical energy and the arrangement as a whole can x. The provision of one or more safety valves ad 25 be made extremely efficient and compact. Additionally justed to convenient pressure for releasing excessive the need for a transformer for most applications can be pressures in the cell (for example, greater than 30 eliminated by such an arrangement so that the appara p.s. i.) which may result, for example, if a current con tus can be designed to be electrically connected di trol mechanism fails. The safety valves could be at rectly to a main electrical supply, through a bridge tached to an alarm, for example, to indicate a failure in 30 rectifier if desired. By eliminating the need for a trans the current control mechanism or the cut-off switches, former, the gas generating equipment as a whole can be etc. made surprisingly compact, to be well suited for small y. Porous material may conveniently be placed in the domestic requirements as well as heavy industrial re burner head, so that backfire through the burner into quirements.

the cell cannot occur. 35 In another important aspect of the invention, there is In summary, the present invention contemplates, as provided a safety device which monitors the pressure of an important feature thereof, a universal welding appa hydrogen and oxygen being generated and regulates ratus capable of being used to perform different types the current flowing through the cell(s) to increase or of welding operations based on the utilization of hydro decrease the rate of gas production depending on the gen and oxygen, making full use of the advantages 40 pressure. In one form the device comprises a chamber which can thereby be realized, and equipment which containing two electrodes, at least one of which is coni can be made small and portable compared with existing cal, arranged in the chamber (which normally contains apparatus such as that presently used for gas welding a conductive liquid) and the electrodes being connect using bulky bottled hydrogen. To generate the fuel, in able in series with one or more electrolytic cells used accordance with the invention a small compact electro 45 for oxygen-hydrogen production. lytic cell is made possible in which the only raw mate The pressure responsive, current regulating device rial which has to be replenished from time to time is can be designed as an integral part of the electrolytic water and which can be used whenever a source of cell(s) or can be used as an attachment connectable electrical energy is available to supply the necessary externally and in series with the gas generating cell(s). amount of hydrogen or hydrogen and oxygen mixture 50 The device can also be designed to combine the func for performing atomic welding or hydrogen-oxygen tions of a current regulating device and a flash-back flame welding. In its simplest form, the gas generating arrestor, the latter function ensuring that a flame at the apparatus of the present invention comprises an elec burner does not accidentally pass back through the trolytic cell adapted to be connected to an energy hose lines to the highly explosive mixture in the gas source, optionally through a step down transformer and 55 generating cell(s). The device may incorporate a total rectifier, and having means for connection to a burner, current cut-out feature or may be used in combination preferably through a flash-back arrestor as a safety with a cut-out device which fully interrupts the supply precaution. of electrical power should the pressure in the cell(s) The apparatus may be combined with a transformer accidentally exceed a maximum safe value. The current as a single compact unit and for convenience the trans 60 regulating device may also operate to regulate the cur former may be provided with several windings to en rent passing through the cells in accordance with the able it to be used for auxiliary purposes such as battery temperature to maintain the temperature within a de charging, electroplating, arc welding or to provide an sired range.

arc for atomic welding. Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows schemati It has been found that a single electrolytic cell oper 65 cally a single electrolytic cell 10 operating to produce a ating without diaphragms at several hundred amps will mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which mixture is generate hydrogen and oxygen at a reasonable rate for passed through a flash-back arrestor 11 to a burner 12. small welding and brazing work but for larger work (for The cell 10 contains two plate electrodes 10a and 10b

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immersed in an electrolyte consisting of a solution of 34 and 35 are mounted in spaced relation within the KOH in water and connectable through terminals 13 chamber and connected in series between a d.c. source and 14 respectively to a source of a.c. or d.c. electric (not shown) and the electrolytic cell 31. An electro ity. Preferably, d.c. is used as the electrical impedance lytic solution of KOH and water is provided within the of the cell, is much lower for d.c. than for a.c. The 5 chamber, portion of which enters the reservoir 32. source of electricity may be a transformer, typically of When the cell 31 is operating to produce hydrogen and 300 Amps output rating, connected to the cell through oxygen the pressure of the gas being produced acts on a bridge rectifier. The flash-back arrestor 11 is consti the surface of the electrolyte in the chamber 30' to tuted by a water bath in which gas liberated in the cell displace an amount of the electrolyte into the reservoir 10 passes through a tube 15 into the water bath 11 and 10 32 against back pressure exerted by air trapped in the thence through a tube 16 to the burner 12. The ar reservoir, the amount of electrolyte displaced depend rangement is suitable for small welding and brazing ing on the pressure of the gas in the chamber 30'. At work but becomes too bulky for very large work. the same time the area of contact between the elec FIG. 2 illustrates in vertical cross-section an electro trodes and the electrolyte in the cell 30 reduces in lytic cell 20 which requires a much lower current than 15 proportion to the drop in electrolyte level, causing the the cell illustrated in FIG. 1 for a given current input. electrical resistance of the cell 30 to rise and the cur The cell 20 comprises what is in effect a series of cells rent passing therethrough to fall. Should the gas pres constituted by a plurality of plate electrodes immersed sure drop the electrolyte level in the cell 30 will rise in a solution of KOH in water. For convenience the and the current passing into the cell 31 will also rise. electrodes are designated as 20a for the two electrodes 20 Thus the cell 30 operates to regulate the rate of gas at the ends and 20b for the intermediate electrodes. production in accordance with the pressure produced The electrodes 20a are connected, via conductors 21 to and prevents excess gas pressure to build up in the cell terminals 22 for connection to an external supply of 31.

electricity. The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen which FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative form of safety device is evolved at the electrodes when an electric current is 25 which is operable to make or break the connection applied, passes through an outlet opening 23 to a flash between an electrolytic hydrogen-oxygen cell (not back arrestor and thence to a burner (not shown in shown in FIG. 4) and an electric current source. The FIG. 2). The series of electrodes 20a and 20b are seal device comprises a cylindrical container 40 in fluid ingly mounted in a tube 24 of insulating material which communication with a liquid reservoir 41 via a passage is provided with restricted apertures 24a at the top and 30 way 42, and a quantity of mercury 42" contained in the 24b at the bottom, between each pair of electrodes. container and reservoir. Two electrodes 43 and 44 are The apertures 24a permit gas to escape into the space disposed one above the other in the container 40 and 25 above the surface of the electrolyte and the aper are normally immersed in the mercury with a conduc tures 24b permit electrolyte to enter freely into the tive path thereby formed between them. The container spaces between each pair of electrodes. By virtue of 35 is connected electrically in series with an electrolytic this arrangement the electrical resistance between any cell (or cells) and in gaseous communication therewith two adjacent electrodes is far less than that between through a hose 45. An increase in gas pressure resulting non-adjacent electrodes so that the arrangement is from generation of gases by the electrolytic cell(s) effectively one of a large number of individual cells causes the mercury to be displaced towards the reser connected in series. A very compact arrangement is 40 voir and the mercury level in the container 40 to fall. therefore obtained but one which permits a relatively When the pressure exceeds a predetermined level the high gas production rate for a reasonably low current mercury level falls below that of the electrode 43 and input. For example, a structure like that shown, consist electrical connection between the two electrodes is ing of the equivalent of, for example, 120 cells can broken. The electrical connection is again restored generate gas at a current input of 15A (at, for example, 45 when the gas pressure falls. A non-inflammable liquid, 240V) equal to that of a single cell requiring a current such as silicone oil or freon is provided on top of the input of approximately 1800A. This means in practice mercury to ensure that any arc which may be generated that a relatively portable apparatus can be produced between the electrode 43 and the mercury is totally which can be connected directly, without a trans isolated from the gases above the liquids. former, to most domestic electrical supplies and which 50 FIG. 5 shows schematically an arrangement whereby can maintain a sufficient rate of gas production for an exceedingly hot flame can be produced using the most types of welding work. gaseous mixture generated electrolytically by the appa An advantage which particularly distinguishes the ratus previously described. In this arrangement a mix arrangements disclosed from conventional gas welding ture of hydrogen and oxygen, preferably in stoichio apparatus is that the hydrogen and oxygen are automat 55 metrical proportion, is passed via a line 50 between a ically produced in substantially the correct proportions pair of tungsten electrodes 51 to produce molecular to give a neutral flame. No mixing valves are required dissociation of the hydrogen and the oxygen and a very and even unskilled personnel can produce satisfactory hot flame 52. It can be appreciated that whereas in an welds without difficulty. In fact indications are that atomic hydrogen flame a significant temperature rise is many welds can be produced better than by any other 60 obtained by striking an arc in the hydrogen, an even welding process. greater temperature rise can be realized by striking the FIG. 3 illustrates a pressure responsive safety device arc between the oxygen as well since the dissociatium 30 operably connected in series (electrically) with an energy of molecular oxygen is of the same order of electrolytic hydrogen-oxygen cell 31 for regulating the magnitude as that of molecular hydrogen. current passing therethrough in accordance with the 65 FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement for the magnetic gas pressure being generated. The device, or cell 30 separation of oxygen from a mixture of oxygen and comprises a chamber 30' in communication with a hydrogen, whereby the oxygen can be used for flame reservoir 32 via a passage 33. Two conical electrodes cutting. The apparatus consists of a chamber 60 con

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taining a magnet 61 and is located in a conduit 62. A rectly to the mains. In fact the bridge rectifier is not mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is passed through the essential either and can be omitted if desired. conduit and around the magnet 61. The diamagnetic In the operation of apparatus of the type described it oxygen is diverted by the magnetic field into a trans is often required to conveniently change between neu verse passageway 63 to a central conduit (not shown) tral and oxidizing flames, for example when changing leading from this passageway and thence to a flame from a welding operation to a cutting operation and the cutting head. The paramagnetic hydrogen continues present invention makes provision for the variation of along the conduit, past the magnet and can be allowed these functions. Briefly, in accordance with the present to escape or can be collected, as desired. If the magnet invention, apparatus for either oxy-hydrogen welding is an electromagnet it can be turned off when hydrogen 10 or cutting may comprise a first electrolytic generator and oxygen is required as a mixture, and in that case for generating hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis the downstream side of the conduit 62 can be closed off of water in substantially stoichiometric proportions to to prevent the loss of gas.

FIG. 7 illustrates a complete oxy-hydrogen generator produce erator a neutral flame and a further electrolytic gen from which hydrogen and oxygen are separately and welding apparatus comprising a gas generator 70, a 15 delivered, which means for adding either the hydrogen current regulating cell 71 and a power supply 72. The from this further cell, or the oxygen from the further construction of the electrodes 73 of the generator 70 generator to the gas mixture obtained from the first and 74 of the cell 71 are identical with those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. In this arrangement, generator. combination

This arrangement results in a most efficient of functions when a neutral flame or other however, the gas generator 70 and cell 71 are com 20 is required. The hydrogen gas produced by the further bined as an integrated unit and as such has some fea generator, when added to the flame mixture, burns with tures not found in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 2 atmospheric oxygen thereby and 3. In particular the chamber 75 of the generator 70 flame. When an oxidizing flameproducing is a reducing required, the addi and the chamber 76 of the current regulator cell 71 are separated by two partitions 77 and 78 defining between 25 tional hydrogen is cut off and the oxygen produced by them a passageway communicating between the two the further generator is added to the flame mixture. It chambers. The respective electrodes of the cell 71 and ployed will be appreciated that various designs can be em a generator 70 are connected electrically in series with for either generator, for example, they may be the power supply. completely independent or they may share a common Gas produced by electrolysis in the chamber 75 rises 30 electrolyte. The further gas generator can also, in prac into the space in the chamber above the electrodes 73, tice, be made somewhat smaller than the other genera passes down the passageway between the partitions 77 tor since it does not have to produce the bulk of the gas and 78, bubbles through the electrolyte in the chamber required.

76 and thence passes through an outlet opening 79 to a It has been found that welding with hydrogen and burner 80. An air trap reservoir 81 is formed integrally 35 oxygen in an exact 2 to 1 ratio (as when the gases are with the cell 71 and is in liquid communication there produced electrolytically) results in a particularly with through an opening between the bottom of the clean, oxide free welded surface and a strong welded reservoir and the cell. When the pressure of the gas joint. For the same quality welding to be produced by generated by the generator 70 rises, this pressure conventional gas welding technique substantially causes the electrolyte in the chamber 76 to be dis 40 greater skill is required and, in the case of conventional placed into the reservoir 81 resulting in a reduction of hydrogen welding, for example, good welded joints are the current being passed to the generator 70 by the obtained only with great difficulty due to the extreme mechanism previously described in relation to FIG.3 of difficulty in obtaining and maintaining a neutral flame. the drawings. In this way the cell 71 effectively moni With the method of the present invention there is no tors the gas pressure and regulates the current to main 45 difficulty in obtaining a neutral flame, and hence the tain an approximately constant pressure. To ensure ease with which high quality welds can be obtained. against the possibility that the pressure should acciden Finally, it can sometimes be convenient to store hy tally exceed a predetermined maximum safe value, a drogen and/or oxygen, generated electrolytically in a spring-loaded safety pressure valve 82 is provided at specially designed container, or to slowly accumulate the top of the reservoir 81 to release the excess pres these gases and then, when required, using the accumu

sure into the atmosphere.

The burner 80 is provided with a flash-back arrestor lated It is stored gas for extra heavy work for a short time.

quite hazardous to pressurize a mixture of hydro in the form of a porous ceramic pellet 83 located in the gen and oxygen gas flow path between the handle part 84 of the burner but it is possible,under in very high pressures, of course, accordance with one aspect of the and the burner tip 85. The flash-back arrestor acts by 55 invention, to store a useful amount quenching any flame blowing back into the burner small volume at low pressures and of gas in a relatively this can be done by before the flame has a chance to reach the hose 86 connecting the burner with the gas generator. using a highly gas absorbent metal in the storage con The power supply is of the universal type, that is, it is tainer. The metal palladium, for example, can absorb provided with a transformer 87 connectable to an alter 60 used with times up to 900 its own volume of hydrogen and can be advantage for this application. In fact useful nating current electrical supply and provided with a number of electrical outlets for various purposes. One amounts of hydrogen, for small scale brazing work can winding of the transformer is connected to a bridge readily be stored in a small hand held container, con rectifier which provides the d.c. current for the gas taining a gas absorbent material.

generator. Another winding is used for arc welding or 65 I claim:

can be used to supply an arc for atomic oxy-hydrogen 1. Apparatus for generating a supply of hydrogen gas welding. It will be appreciated that the transformer is and oxygen gas in proportion to consumption of said optional and that the generator can be connected di gases comprising,

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a. an electrolytic cell means for electrolytic genera ductive liquid and said electrolyte to interface said tion of said gases, said cell being enclosed to entrap upper electrode with said non-conductive material said generated gases, whereby said circuit is opened. b. a gas outlet carried by said cell to allow a portion 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 and further of said generated gases to discharge from said cell, characterized by said apparatus comprising, c. a source of electrical power connected to said cell a flash-back arrestor in the form of an elongated by a suitable circuit, and capillary having a first end connected to said outlet d. an electrical power regulating means for control of said cell and a second end connected to a gas ling the amount of power to said cell including: consumption means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 and further a first chamber having a selected cross-sectional 10 characterized area and an upper and lower inlet, said upper by said apparatus comprising, inlet connected with said gas outlet of said cell, a flash-back arrestor in the form of an elongated a second chamber having a selected cross-sectional capillary having a first end connected to said cell area at least one half less than that of said first outlet and a second end connected to a gas con chamber and a lower inlet, said inlet connected 15 5.sumption means.

to said lower inlet of said first chamber by a and oxygen gas ingenerating

System for proportion a supply of hydrogen gas to a consumption of said suitable passage, gases and protecting said system comprising: a first and second inverted conically-shaped and a. an electrolytic cell means for electrolytically gen concentrically aligned resistant electrode carried 20 erating said gases, said cell being enclosed to en in a vertical relationship in said first chamber, trap said generated gases, said electrodes connected in said circuit between said power source and said cell, and b. a source of electrical power connected to said cell a quantity of electrolytic solution carried in said by a suitable circuit, and chambers to partially fill said chambers and in 25 gasesc. a gas outlet means to allow a discharge of said terface with said electrodes to close said circuit, and protect said cell from a flash-back and provide regulation of said gas generation further wherein an increase in the pressure of said entrapped including, - gases depresses the level of said electrolytic solu a first vertical chamber having a top inlet con tion in said first chamber to cause an increase in nected with said cell and a bottom outlet, resistance of said electrodes thereby reducing the a second vertical chamber having a substantially amount of power to said cell. greater cross-sectional area than said first cham 2. Apparatus for generating a supply of hydrogen and ber, said second chamber having a top outlet for oxygen gases comprising, discharging said gas to a gas consumption means, a. an electrolytic cell means for electrolytic genera and a first and second bottom inlet, said first inlet tion of said gases, said cell being enclosed to entrap 35 connected to said bottom inlet of said first cham said generated gases, ber by a horizontal passage, b. a gas outlet carried by said cell to allow a portion a third vertical chamber having a bottom inlet con of said generated gases to discharge from said cell, nected to said second bottom inlet of said second c. a source of electrical power connected to said cell chamber, said third chamber having a cross-sec by a suitable circuit, and tional area greater than said first chamber and d. an electrical power regulating means including, 40 less than said second chamber, a first chamber having a selected cross-sectional a quantity of electrolytic solution carried in said area and an upper and lower inlet, said upper first, second and third chamber to partially fill inlet connected to said outlet of said cell, said chambers, a second circular chamber having a preselected 45 a first and second inverted, conically-shaped resis cross-sectional area, said area of said second tant electrodes concentrically aligned and car chamber being at least one-half that of said first ried by said second chamber in a vertical rela chamber, and a lower inlet, said inlet connected tionship, said electrodes connected in said circuit to said lower inlet of said first chamber by a to close said circuit when in contact with said

a quantity of electrolytic solution carried in said wherein an increase in pressure in said second cham chamber to partially fill said chambers, ber depresses the level of said electrolyte to de a quantity of non-conductive liquid having a spe crease the generation of said gases by increasing . cific gravity less than said electrolytic solution resistance in said circuit by increasing exposed carried in said first chamber above said electro 55 portions of said resistant electrodes, said electro lytic solution, and lyte acting as a protective barrier between said gas a first and second electrode carried by said first consumption means and said cell. chamber in a vertical relationship and extending 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 and further inwardly therein to interface with said electrolyte characterized by said apparatus comprising, solution, said electrodes connected in said circuit 60 a flash-back arrestor in the form of an elongated between said power source and said cell to close capillary having a first end connected to said cell said circuit, outlet and a second end connected to a gas con wherein a sufficient, increase in pressure of said en sumption means.

trapped gases depresses the level of said non-con