(under the class definition) Subject matter provided with means to supply a material to the discharge area between the electrodes, the material being either a fluent material and/or designed to be converted to a fluent material by the heat of the discharge.
(1) Note. The material may be a material (a) which is consumed by combustion in the discharge and/or (b) which is heated by the discharge and which converts such heat into radiant energy rays such as light, and/or (c) to facilitate the flow of discharge current between the electrodes, and/or (d) which is a flux, and/or (e) to retard oxidation or combustion.
(2) Note. This subclass includes patents wherein a material is placed about or in contact with the movable electrode so as to wholly or partially cover the electrode, as a coating, as it is fed to the discharge. Search Class 252, Compositions, subclass 500, for the coating compositions for use on the electrodes of consumable electrode discharge devices, Class 313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices, subclass 354 for cored rod electrodes (e.g., "carbons") and subclass 355 for the miscellaneous electrode structures which have a coating thereon, and Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, subclass 375 for electrodes for arc discharge devices which involve non electrical structure and are generally merely a base (e.g., rod) with at least one coating thereon.
(3) Note. This subclass does not include patents wherein the only material to be supplied to the discharge is the material of the electrodes, such as consumable electrodes discharge devices having electrodes containing flaming and/or luminous salts. Such consumable electrode devices are classified on the type of discharge device and/or the type of feeding mechanism used to regulate the feed of the electrodes.
(4) Note. Compare this subclass and subclass 25 of this class. Search Class 252, Subclass 500 and the classes specified in the Notes thereto for the composition of electrodes which contain flaming and/or luminous materials.
Also see (2) Note above.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 20, for consumable electrode discharge devices provided with means for directing a jet of gas towards the discharge for deflecting the discharge from its normal path.
129, for consumable electrode discharge devices provided with means to transfer the electric current from the lead wires to the movable electrode, including such transfer devices used with electrodes having a covering of nonconducting material.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
219, Electric Heating,
50, especially 121.11+, for electric welding and heating with feeding of material to be welded or heated into the discharge zone. Note also subclass 72 where a different material, such as slag or a gas, is fed to the weld or heating zone.
252, Compositions, see (2) Note and (4) Note above.
313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,
231.01+, for miscellaneous discharge devices which are provided with means to supply a fluent material to the discharge space. Also see (2) Note above.
373, Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces,
79+, for electric furnaces provided with means for feeding the material to be treated into the discharge area.
