High access consumables for a plasma arc cutting system
First Claim
1. A plasma torch extender for a plasma arc cutting system, the plasma torch extender comprising:
- an elongated body including a semi-rigid, positionable flexible section having an axis extending between a first end and a second end, the flexible section having a length of at least six inches and sufficient stiffness and ductility to enable manipulation at any point along its axis to form a three-dimensional bent axis, the flexible section adapted to be poseable across a plurality of orientations including at least a first movement spanning at least 90 degrees, between the first end and the second end, such that when manipulated the three-dimensional bent axis remains fixed;
a first connector at the first end of the elongated body directly connectible to a consumable set; and
a second connector at the second end of the elongated body directly connectible to a torch mount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torch extender for a plasma arc cutting system is provided. The plasma torch extender includes an elongated substantially dielectric body that defines a first end and a second end and includes a flexible section that is poseable across a plurality of orientations. The torch extender also includes a first connector, at the first end of the elongated substantially dielectric body, which mates with a consumable set, and a second connector, at the second end of the elongated substantially dielectric body, which mates with a torch mount. The torch extender further includes a consumable detection medium that communicates the presence of the consumable set. The consumable detection medium is disposed within the elongated substantially dielectric body and extends between the first end and the second end of the elongated substantially dielectric body.
137 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A plasma torch extender for a plasma arc cutting system, the plasma torch extender comprising:
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an elongated body including a semi-rigid, positionable flexible section having an axis extending between a first end and a second end, the flexible section having a length of at least six inches and sufficient stiffness and ductility to enable manipulation at any point along its axis to form a three-dimensional bent axis, the flexible section adapted to be poseable across a plurality of orientations including at least a first movement spanning at least 90 degrees, between the first end and the second end, such that when manipulated the three-dimensional bent axis remains fixed; a first connector at the first end of the elongated body directly connectible to a consumable set; and a second connector at the second end of the elongated body directly connectible to a torch mount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A plasma torch extender for a plasma arc cutting system, the plasma torch extender comprising:
an elongated body including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to mate with a consumable set and the second end configured to mate with a torch handle, the elongated body having a semi-rigid, positionable flexible section having a length of at least six inches and including a set of serially interconnected conduits, each conduit being moveable relative to an adjacent conduit in three dimensions and capable of collectively forming a three-dimensional bent axis such that the flexible section is poseable across a plurality of orientations including at least a first movement spanning at least 90 degrees, between the first end and the second end, such that when manipulated the three-dimensional bent axis remains fixed. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A plasma arc torch cutting system comprising:
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a torch mount; a torch extension member having a first end and a second end, the torch extension member having a semi-rigid, positionable flexible section having an axis extending between the first end to the second end and having a length of at least six inches and sufficient stiffness and ductility to enable manipulation of the torch extender at a compound angle, each angle positionable at an orientation of up to 90 degrees by repositioning at any point along its axis to form a three-dimensional bent axis, the flexible section configured to be poseable across a range of angles including at least one range achieving a compound angle of at least 90 degrees, such that when manipulated the three-dimensional bent axis remains fixed; a first connector at the first end directly connectible to a torch tip that includes an electrode and a nozzle; and a second connector at the second end directly connectible to the torch mount. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A flexible unitary torch having an extension, the extension comprising:
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an elongated body including a semi-rigid, positionable flexible section having an axis extending between a first end and a second end, the flexible section having a length of at least six inches and sufficient stiffness and ductility to enable manipulation to a compound angle by repositioning at any point along its axis to form a three-dimensional bent axis, the flexible section adapted to be poseable across a plurality of orientations including at least a first movement spanning at least 90 degrees, between the first end and the second end, such that when manipulated the three-dimensional bent axis remains fixed; and a first connector at the first end of the elongated body directly connectible to a consumable set. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification