ELECTRODE FOR A CONTACT START PLASMA ARC TORCH AND CONTACT START PLASMA ARC TORCH EMPLOYING SUCH ELECTRODES
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. The electrode and torch can include a contact element having a first surface in electrical communication with the power contact and a second surface characterized by (i) physical contact with the electrode body during transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode body during initiation of a pilot arc.
21 Citations
106 Claims
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1-71. -71. (canceled)
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72. An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch in electrical communication with a power supply, the electrode being movable relative to a nozzle within a plasma chamber of the torch, the electrode comprising:
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an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material, the electrode body defining a longitudinal axis; and a contact element, adjacent to a proximal end of the electrode body, including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facilitating electrical communication with the power supply and the second surface is characterized by (i) physical contact with the electrode body when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode body during initiation of a pilot arc. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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77. The electrode of 75, wherein the resilient element is retained by the electrode body.
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89. A contact element for a contact start plasma arc torch in electrical communication with a power supply, the contact element being slideably mounted within a torch body of the torch and adjacent to a proximal end of an electrode disposed in the torch body, the contact element comprising:
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a first surface for facilitating electrical communication with the power supply; and a second surface characterized by (i) physical contact with the proximal end of the electrode when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode during initiation of a pilot arc. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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101. An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch in electrical communication with a power supply, the electrode being movable relative to a nozzle within a plasma chamber of the torch, the electrode comprising:
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an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material, the electrode body defining a longitudinal axis; a contact element including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facilitating electrical communication with the power supply and the second surface is characterized by physical contact with the electrode body when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode; and a resilient element adjacent to a proximal end of the electrode body, the resilient element imparting a separation force between the contact element and the electrode body. - View Dependent Claims (102)
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103. A contact start plasma arc torch comprising:
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a power supply for providing current to the torch; a plasma chamber defined by a nozzle and an electrically conductive electrode body slideably mounted within the torch and defining a longitudinal axis; a power contact disposed in a stationary position relative to the plasma chamber, the power contact in electrical communication with the power supply; a contact element, including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface in physical contact with the power contact and the second surface is characterized by (i) physical contact with the electrode body when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode body during initiation of a pilot arc; and a resilient element, adjacent to a proximal end of the electrode body, imparting a separation force between the contact element and the electrode body. - View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106)
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Specification