1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to apparatus for use with the welding of piping to be used in nuclear power plants and systems. It relates specifically to the apparatus used for heat sinking and purging of the piping.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A common problem with known devices used in the welding of pipes is that they do not offer the flexibility of both cooling as a heat sink together with purging features. Known type devices merely provide heat sink or cooling functions, or purging functions, but not the combination of same.
Another problem with known type devices are that they are not readily adaptable for large scale operations or mass welding of numerous piping. That is, they are so complex and involved that much time is spent in setting them up and they are not easily transferable from one set of pipes to be welded to another set.
Another problem with known type devices is that they are not readily adaptable for use with either gas type purging functions and/or liquid-type purging and cooling functions.
Known prior art patents which may be pertinent to this invention are as follows:
U.s. pat. No. 2,470,744 -- May 17, 1949 PA1 U.s. pat. No. 2,819,517 -- Jan. 14, 1958 PA1 U.s. pat. No. 3,194,466 -- July 13, 1965 PA1 U.s. pat. No. 3,431,945 -- Match 11, 1969 PA1 U.s. pat. No. 3,779,068 -- Dec. 18, 1973 PA1 U.s. pat. No. 3,902,528 -- Sept. 2, 1975
None of these known prior art devices offers the new and unique features of the invention disclosed herein.