Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus and method are disclosed for machining and, in particular, welding a work piece in an environment comprised of a gas non-reactive to the material of the work piece to minimize the contamination of the welds effected on the work piece. In an illustrative embodiment of this invention, there is provided a welding chamber for receiving the work piece and for establishing the welding environment therein. The welding chamber has an input port disposed in a bottom portion thereof, that is coupled to means in the form of a controllable pump for directing or pumping the non-reactive or inert gas, e.g. argon, through the input port and into the welding chamber. The welding chamber also includes an output port, whereby the non-reactive gas may escape from the welding chamber. A diffuser plate distributes the non-reactive gas substantially uniformly across the cross section of the welding chamber, whereby a laminar flow of the non-reactive gas is directed over the work piece and is permitted to escape through the output port.

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First Claim