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United States Patent 5,793,014
Sobkowiak, et. al. Aug. 11, 1998
Process and device for restoring the tightness of connecting elements such as water boxes of alternators with a mixed water-hydrogen cooling system
Abstract

The process comprises separating the connecting element (3) from one of the pipes (4) which connects it to the circuit so as to open up an opening (6) of the connecting element and thereby gain access to the interior of the connecting element while leaving the latter in position in the circuit of the alternator, descaling at least a part of the interior surface of the connecting element by removal of an oxidized layer covering the interior surface (18) by use of a laser beam (16) introduced in the interior chamber (19) of the connecting element (3), cleaning the interior chamber (19) of the connecting element by suction of particles of matter resulting from the action of the laser beam (16), depositing a layer of brazing material on the surface (18) of the interior chamber (19) of the connecting element whose tightness must be restored, and melting the brazing material by means of the laser beam (16).

Inventors: Sobkowiak; Lucien (Brunoy, FR); Adragna; Patrick (Bourg Saint Andeol, FR).
Assignee: Electricite de France - Service National (Paris, FR).
Appl. No.: 773,236
Filed: Dec. 23, 1996

Foreign Application Priority Data
Dec. 27, 1995 [FR] 95 15584
Intl. Cl. : B23K 26/00
Current U.S. Cl.: 219/121.65; 219/121.6; 219/121.66; 219/121.85; 29/402.07
Field of Search: 219/121.6, 121.63, 121.64, 121.65, 121.66, 121.68, 121.69, 121.73, 121.8, 121.84, 121.85; 228/261; 134/1, 22.11, 24; 29/81.01, 81.021, 888.021, 890.031, 402.06, 402.07
References Cited | [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
4,066,203Jan., 1978Davies
4,629,917Dec., 1986Brem
4,720,621Jan., 1988Langen 219/121.6
4,784,491Nov., 1988Penney et al. 219/121.84 X
4,824,011Apr., 1989Maus et al. 219/121.85 X
4,920,994May, 1990Nachbar 134/1
5,113,802May, 1992Le Blanc 134/1 X
5,151,134Sept., 1992Boquillon et al. 134/1
5,482,561Jan., 1996Yeung et al. 134/1
5,531,857Jul., 1996Engelsberg et al. 219/121.68 X
5,581,869Dec., 1996Travaly 29/402.07 X
5,643,472Jul., 1997Engelsberg et al. 134/1 X

Foreign Patent Documents
3-27866Feb., 1991JP 219/121.85
Other References

Database WPI Week 7939, Derwent Publications, Ltd. London, G.B., AN 79-j3138b, XP002000123 & SU-A-639 084 (Bykov), Dec. 28, 1978.


Primary Examiner: Mills; Gregory L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
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