Welding gun contact tip
A contact tip for a welding gun includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a first opening extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The elongate body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The elongate body has a second opening extending radially through a side portion of the elongate body between the outer surface and the inner surface. At least a portion of the second opening is configured to support a contact element. A contact element is configured to be supported within at least a portion of the second opening of the elongate body and extend at least partially into the first opening of the elongate body. A retention member is configured to couple the contact element with the elongate body.
1. A contact tip for a welding gun comprising:
an elongate body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, an inner surface defining a first opening extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, the first opening being configured to receive a weld wire, and a second opening communicating with the first opening, the second opening extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, the second opening being configured to receive a contact element;
a contact element configured to be simultaneously positioned at least partially within the second opening and at least partially within the first opening; and
a retention member configured to couple the contact element with the elongate body, the retention member comprising an elastomeric continuous ring configured to surround the elongate body and having a generally circular cross-sectional shape in a radial direction.
2. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the retention member has an annular shape.
3. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the retention member has a toroidal shape.
4. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the retention member comprises an O-ring.
5. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the retention member comprises an elastic material.
6. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the contact element has a generally spherical shape.
7. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the contact element comprises a rod.
8. The contact tip of claim 1 wherein the contact element comprises a composite material.
9. A contact tip for a welding gun comprising:
an elongate body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, an inner surface defining a first opening extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, the first opening being configured to receive a weld wire, and a second opening communicating with the first opening, the second opening extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, the second opening being configured to receive a contact element;
a contact element configured to be simultaneously positioned at least partially within the second opening and at least partially within the first opening; and
a retention member configured to couple the contact element with the elongate body, the retention member comprising an elastomeric material forming a continuous ring for surrounding the elongate body, the ring having a circular cross-section in a radial direction.
10. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member has an annular shape.
11. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member has a toroidal shape.
12. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member comprises an O-ring.
13. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member comprises rubber.
14. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member comprises plastic.
15. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the retention member comprises silicon.
16. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the contact element comprises a composite material.
17. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the contact element has a generally spherical shape.
18. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the contact element comprises a rod.
19. The contact tip of claim 9 wherein the contact element elongate body comprises a groove extending circumferentially about the elongate body and configured to receive the elastomeric retention member during use.
20. A contact tip for a welding gun comprising:
an elongate body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, an inner surface defining a first opening extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, the first opening being configured to receive a weld wire, a second opening communicating with the first opening, the second opening extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, the second opening being configured to receive a contact element, and a groove defined in the elongate body;
a contact element configured to be simultaneously positioned at least partially within the second opening and at least partially within the first opening; and
a retention member configured to couple the contact element with the elongate body, the retention member comprising an elastomeric continuous ring configured to surround the elongate body, having a generally circular cross-sectional shape in a radial direction, and being configured to be self-centering within the groove over the second opening for directing a retention force transverse to a surface of a weld wire.
21. The contact tip of claim 20 wherein the retention member comprises an O-ring.
22. The contact tip of claim 20 wherein the retention member has a generally circular cross-sectional area.
23. The contact tip of claim 20 , wherein the groove is positioned on the back half of the elongate body.
24. The contact tip of claim 20 , wherein the groove is positioned on the back third of the elongate body.
25. The contact tip of claim 20 , wherein the groove is positioned on the back fourth of an exposed portion of the elongate body.