PLASMA TORCH AND COMPONENTS
First Claim
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1. A plasma torch, comprising:
- a nozzle comprising an inner wall having a first profile; and
a moveable electrode comprising a conical portion and an outer surface havinga second profile, wherein the moveable electrode 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, wherein a portion of the electrode is disposed in the nozzle;
wherein the outer surface of the electrode and the inner wall of the nozzle define a plasma arc chamber, wherein the first profile is substantially similar to the second profile, and wherein the conical portion of the moveable electrode is configured to provide an electrical connection between the moveable electrode and a plunger of the plasma torch.
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Abstract
A plasma torch is provided having an electrode with a frustoconical end portion. The electrode is received by a plunger during a contact start sequence of the plasma torch and is self-releasing from the torch. The electrode may include a shoulder portion that provides concentric alignment and centering of the electrode with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the components. Other components of the torch include a nozzle, a swirl ring, and retaining cup, such that the consumables of the torch may be toollessly removed and installed.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A plasma torch, comprising:
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a nozzle comprising an inner wall having a first profile; and a moveable electrode comprising a conical portion and an outer surface having a second profile, wherein the moveable electrode 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, wherein a portion of the electrode is disposed in the nozzle; wherein the outer surface of the electrode and the inner wall of the nozzle define a plasma arc chamber, wherein the first profile is substantially similar to the second profile, and wherein the conical portion of the moveable electrode is configured to provide an electrical connection between the moveable electrode and a plunger of the plasma torch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electrode, comprising:
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a first portion having a first diameter; a second portion adjacent to the first portion and having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; a shoulder portion adjacent to the second portion and having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is greater than the first diameter; and a frustoconical portion adjacent to the shoulder portion, wherein the shoulder portion provides concentricity and centering with respect to an axis of a plasma torch when the electrode is installed in the plasma torch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A plasma torch comprising:
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a nozzle; a moveable electrode partially disposed in the nozzle, wherein the electrode comprises; a shoulder portion engaged with a cathode body, wherein the shoulder portion provides concentricity and centering with respect to an axis of a plasma torch; and a conical-like portion adjacent to the shoulder portion; a moveable plunger configured to receive the moveable electrode, wherein the moveable plunger comprises a recess configured to receive the conical-like portion of the moveable electrode, wherein the conical-like portion comprises a surface formed at a self-releasing angle such that the moveable electrode toollessly self-releases from the recess. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electrode, comprising:
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a frustoconical portion; a shoulder portion adjacent to the frustoconical portion and configured to provide concentricity and centering with respect to an axis of a plasma torch when the electrode is installed in the plasma torch; and an extension extending from the shoulder portion and configured to define a plasma arc chamber between the electrode and a nozzle of the plasma torch when the electrode is installed in the plasma torch. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification