Gas bottle for welding-type devices

Abstract

A gas cylinder assembly for welding-type devices includes a gas cylinder having a neck portion, a base portion, and a body portion enclosing a cavity and constructed to receive a gas therein. The gas cylinder is configured to be enclosed in a welding-type device. A valve is disposed about the neck portion of the gas cylinder and is operatively separates the cavity from the atmosphere. The valve is operably engageable by a regulator constructed to allow flow of the gas therethrough.

1 . A gas cylinder assembly for use in a welding-type device comprising: 
 a gas cylinder having (a) a neck portion, (b) a base portion, and (c) a body portion enclosing a cavity and constructed to receive a gas therein, the gas cylinder configured to be enclosed in a welding-type device;    a valve disposed about the neck portion and operatively separating the cavity from atmosphere; and    wherein the valve is operably engageable by a regulator constructed to allow flow of the gas therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gas cylinder is disposable.  
     
     
         3 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gas cylinder is refillable.  
     
     
         4 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the regulator is constructed to be contained within the welding-type device.  
     
     
         5 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an adapter disposed between the regulator and the gas cylinder.  
     
     
         6 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 5  wherein the adapter further comprises a first end threadingly connected to the neck portion of the gas cylinder and a second end threadingly connected to the regulator.  
     
     
         7 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 6  wherein the first end of the adapter has a nipple disposed within a recess, the nipple constructed to engage the valve of the gas cylinder.  
     
     
         8 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 6  wherein the first end has a female thread orientation and the second end has a male thread orientation.  
     
     
         9 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 5  wherein the adapter has an uninterrupted passage therethrough.  
     
     
         10 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 5  wherein the adapter has a first opening constructed to engage the gas cylinder, a second opening constructed to engage the regulator, and a third opening constructed to engage a pressure gauge.  
     
     
         11 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 10  having uninterrupted fluid communication between the first, second, and third openings.  
     
     
         12 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the regulator further comprises a bidirectional valve constructed to be in fluid communication with another gas cylinder.  
     
     
         13 . The gas cylinder assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure gauge connected between the valve and the regulator.  
     
     
         14 . A shielding gas system for a welding-type device comprising: 
 a gas cylinder;    a valve connected to the gas cylinder and biased to a closed position;    a coupler constructed to bias the valve open when the coupler is connected to the gas cylinder.    
     
     
         15 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  wherein the coupler further comprises a threaded recess constructed to engage the gas cylinder and a projection in the threaded recess constructed to bias the valve.  
     
     
         16 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  wherein a portion of the valve moves in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the gas cylinder as the coupler is connected thereto.  
     
     
         17 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  wherein the gas cylinder has a first end having an opening formed therein and the valve is positioned within the opening and does not extend beyond the first end.  
     
     
         18 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  further comprising a regulator connected to the coupler generally opposite the gas cylinder.  
     
     
         19 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  further comprising a pressure gauge attached to the coupler between the regulator and coupler.  
     
     
         20 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  wherein the coupler has an unobstructed passage therethrough.  
     
     
         21 . The shielding gas system of  claim 14  incorporated into a welding-type device having a housing enclosing the shielding gas system.  
     
     
         22 . A shielding gas system for a welding device comprising: 
 a gas bottle having a first end having an opening and a second closed end;    a body extending from the first end to the second closed end;    a valve disposed in the opening of the first end; and    an adapter constructed to automatically open the valve when connected about the first end.    
     
     
         23 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  wherein the adapter has a first end connectable to the gas bottle and a second end connectable to a regulator.  
     
     
         24 . The shielding gas system of  claim 23  wherein the adapter has an opening generally transverse to the first end and the second end, the opening constructed to engage a pressure gauge.  
     
     
         25 . The shielding gas system of  claim 23  wherein the regulator further comprises a bidirectional valve to allow another gas bottle to be fluidly connected thereto.  
     
     
         26 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  wherein the gas bottle is constructed to be filled one time.  
     
     
         27 . The shielding gas system of  claim 29  wherein the gas bottle is refillable.  
     
     
         28 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  wherein the gas bottle has a length that is less than an outer dimension of the welding apparatus.  
     
     
         29 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  having an outer diameter of less than approximately twelve inches.  
     
     
         30 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  wherein the valve is moveable along an axis of gas bottle.  
     
     
         31 . The shielding gas system of  claim 22  wherein the gas bottle is positioned entirely within a housing of the welding apparatus and in fluid communication with a torch.