Tool and Method For Repairing An Arc Welding Torch

Abstract

A tool for repairing an interior surface of a conductor tube comprises an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end. The tool includes a profiled end surface that mates into the interior surface of the conductor tube. The tool includes a central protrusion that extends from the profiled end surface for aligning the tool within the internal passageway of the conductor tube. An imparted force is exerted on the proximal end and the force reshapes the interior surface of the conductor tube around the profiled end surface.

1 . A method for repairing an interior surface of a conductor tube, the conductor tube includes a tapered spherical seat and an internal passageway, the steps of the method comprising:
 providing a tool having an elongate body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion defining a profiled end surface around the distal end portion for mating into the tapered spherical seat and a central protrusion extending distally from the profiled surface;   aligning the central protrusion to extend into the internal passageway;   mating the profiled end surface with the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube and the central protrusion in the internal passageway;   imparting an force on the proximal end portion of the tool; and   reshaping the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube to conform around the profiled end surface from the force causing the interior surface of the conductor tube to repair the tapered spherical seat.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of imparting a force is further defined as striking the proximal end portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end portion of the tool further defines a shoulder and a flange, and wherein the profiled end surface extends distally from the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the flange abuts a distal end face of the conductor tube after imparting the force onto the proximal end of the tool and defines a maximum distance the tool can be driven into the interior surface of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the distal end portion further defines a spaced distance between the profiled end surface and the flange. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein an unrepaired configuration of the conductor tube is defined as when the profiled end surface is in contact with the interior surface of the conductor tube and the flange is at least the spaced distance from a distal end face of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein a repaired configuration of the conductor tube is defined as when the profiled end surface is in contact with the interior surface of the conductor tube and the flange is less than the spaced distance from the distal end face of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         9 . A method for repairing an interior surface of a conductor tube, the conductor tube includes a tapered spherical seat and external threads, the steps of the method comprising:
 providing a tool having a body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion defining a threaded collar disposed around the proximal end portion and configured to engage the external threads of the conductor tube, and the distal end portion defining a profiled end surface around the distal end portion for mating into the tapered spherical seat and a central protrusion extending distally from the profiled surface;   threading the threaded collar of the tool onto the external threads of the conductor tube to impart an force onto the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube with the profiled end surface of the distal end portion of the tool; and   reshaping the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube to conform around the profiled end surface from the force causing the interior surface of the conductor tube to repair the tapered spherical seat.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein an outer surface of the threaded collar is hexagonal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end portion of the tool further defines a shoulder and a flange, and wherein the profiled end surface extends distally from the flange. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the flange abuts a distal end face of the conductor tube after threading the threaded collar onto the external threads of the conductor tube and defining a maximum distance the profiled end surface of the tool can be tightened into the interior surface of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the distal end portion further defines a spaced distance between the profiled end surface and the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein an unrepaired configuration of the conductor tube is defined as when the profiled end surface is in contact with the interior surface of the conductor tube and the flange is at least the spaced distance from a distal end face of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein a repaired configuration of the conductor tube is defined as when the profiled end surface is in contact with the interior surface of the conductor tube and the flange is less than the spaced distance from the distal end face of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         16 . A method for repairing an interior surface of a conductor tube, the conductor tube includes a tapered spherical seat, the steps of the method comprising:
 aligning a profiled end surface of a distal end portion of a tool with the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube;   imparting a force onto the tool to drive the profiled end surface into the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube; and   reshaping the tapered spherical seat of the conductor tube to conform around the profiled end surface from the force causing the interior surface of the conductor tube to repair the tapered spherical seat.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein imparting a force is further defined as tightening a threaded collar over a threaded portion of the conductor tube. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the threaded collar is hexagonal and disposed around a proximal end of the tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein imparting a force is further defined as striking a proximal end portion of the tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the distal end portion of the tool further defines a shoulder and a flange, and wherein the profiled end surface extends distally from the flange. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the flange abuts a distal end face of the conductor tube after imparting the force onto the tool and defining a maximum distance the profiled end surface of the tool can be driven into the interior surface of the conductor tube.