PLASMA ARC TORCH AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING A PLASMA ARC TORCH
First Claim
1. A front end assembly for a plasma arc torch, the front end assembly comprising:
- a nozzle retaining cup body having a rearward end removably connectable to a body of the plasma arc torch and a forward end removably connectable to a shield retainer;
a nozzle retaining cup insert receivable in an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup body, the nozzle retaining cup insert having a forward portion extending forwardly beyond a forward end of the nozzle retaining cup body;
the shield retainer having a surface for engaging a shield;
a nozzle receivable within an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup insert, a first central portion of the nozzle having a first diameter, the first central portion positioned in close confronting relation with the forward portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the nozzle further including a stop that is engageable with a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert to prevent axial movement towards the rear of the nozzle retaining cup insert once the stop and the nose portion are engaged, andan insulator disposed between the shield and the nozzle, wherein engagement of the shield with the insulator and engagement of the insulator with a forward facing surface of the nozzle limits forward axial movement of the nozzle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A front end assembly for a plasma torch and methods for assembling and disassembling a torch wherein a plurality of front end parts form a unit that is removable from, and installable in, the torch in a single operation without a special fixture. The front end assembly includes a nozzle retaining cup body connectable to a body of the torch, and a forward end connectable to a shield retainer. A nozzle retaining cup insert fits into the nozzle retaining cup body. The shield retainer has an inner surface for retaining the shield. A nozzle is received within the nozzle retaining cup insert. A stop on the nozzle engages the nozzle retaining cup insert when the front end assembly is removed from the torch so the nozzle does not remain in the torch. The shield engages an insulator, which engages the nozzle, to limit forward axial movement of the nozzle.
20 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A front end assembly for a plasma arc torch, the front end assembly comprising:
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a nozzle retaining cup body having a rearward end removably connectable to a body of the plasma arc torch and a forward end removably connectable to a shield retainer; a nozzle retaining cup insert receivable in an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup body, the nozzle retaining cup insert having a forward portion extending forwardly beyond a forward end of the nozzle retaining cup body; the shield retainer having a surface for engaging a shield; a nozzle receivable within an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup insert, a first central portion of the nozzle having a first diameter, the first central portion positioned in close confronting relation with the forward portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the nozzle further including a stop that is engageable with a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert to prevent axial movement towards the rear of the nozzle retaining cup insert once the stop and the nose portion are engaged, and an insulator disposed between the shield and the nozzle, wherein engagement of the shield with the insulator and engagement of the insulator with a forward facing surface of the nozzle limits forward axial movement of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for assembling a front end unit for a plasma arc torch, comprising
inserting a rear portion of a nozzle through an ID of a nozzle retaining cup insert until a stop portion of the nozzle contacts a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, thereby engaging a seal between the nozzle and the nozzle retaining cup insert; -
inserting the nozzle retaining cup insert and nozzle into an ID of a nozzle retaining cup body so that a rearward surface the nozzle retaining cup insert engages a forward surface of the nozzle retaining cup body; mounting a gas diffuser on the nose portion of the nozzle; centering a shield on the nozzle using the gas diffuser; engaging the shield against the nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert; and screwing a shield retainer onto the nozzle retaining cup body so that the shield and the gas diffuser are locked thereto. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A nozzle for a plasma arc torch, the nozzle including a stop to limit axial travel by bearing against a front surface of a nozzle retaining cup or a nozzle retaining cup insert so that the nozzle cannot remain in the torch when the nozzle retaining cup is removed.
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26. A shield cup for a plasma arc torch which is axially located by a surface that limits travel in one direction by bearing on a shield retainer and limits travel in another direction by a surface that bears on a nozzle retaining cup insert.
- 27. A nozzle retaining cup insert that is axially limited in movement by a surface that bears against a nozzle retaining cup body and by another surface that bears against a shield cup.
Specification