PLASMA TORCH AND RETAINING CAP WITH FAST SECURING THREADS

• US 20130043222A1
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Leiteritz, Nathan Gerald, Crowe, George Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 9,040,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.5
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 10/00 Welding or cutting by means of a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/013 Arc cutting, gouging, scarfing or desurfacing
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/287 Supporting devices for electrode holders not restricted to arc welding B23K37/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/34 Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/3457 Nozzle protection devices

Abstract

A retaining cap for a plasma torch is provided that includes fast securing threads. The retaining cap includes internal threads that couple to external threads of a torch body of the plasma torch. The internal and external threads may be multiple start threads having a thread angle greater than 60°. Plasma torches and plasma cutting systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A plasma torch, comprising:

a nozzle;

a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;

a torch body having first threads; and

a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise multiple start threads having a thread angle greater than about 60°

, wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

2. The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

3. The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

4. The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads comprise a first length and the second threads comprises a second length.

5. The plasma torch of claim 4, wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

6. The plasma torch of claim 1, comprising a moveable electrode comprising a frustoconical end portion.

7. The plasma torch of claim 6, comprising a moveable plunger configured to receive a portion of the electrode, wherein the moveable plunger is biased to a first position closer to a tip of the torch when the torch is non-operational and moved to a second position further from the tip when the torch is operational.

8. The plasma torch of claim 8, comprising a spring configured to bias the plunger to the first position

9. A retaining cap for a plasma torch, comprising:

a first portion comprising a metallic material; and

a second portion comprising a plastic material, wherein the second portion comprises an annular inner wall comprising multiple start threads, wherein the multiple start threads comprise a thread angle of greater than 60°

.

10. The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the first portion comprises a lip configured to retain a nozzle of the plasma torch.

11. The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

12. The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprises coarse threads.

13. The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise a crest having a first width and a root having a second width, wherein the first width comprises about 0.2 millimeters and the second width comprises about 0.4 millimeters.

14. The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise a thread pitch, wherein the thread pitch comprises about 4 millimeters.

15. A plasma torch, comprising:

a nozzle;

a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;

a torch body having first threads; and

a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise single start threads having a pitch of a multiple start thread and a thread angle greater than about 60°

, wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

16. The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

17. The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

18. The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein thread angle comprises about 90°

.

19. The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein torch body comprises a first straight diameter prior to the first threads.

20. The plasma torch of claim 16, wherein the torch body comprises a second straight diameter after the first threads.