Consumable Cartridge For A Plasma Arc Cutting System
First Claim
1. A frame for a plasma arc torch cartridge, the frame comprising:
- a thermally conductive frame body having a longitudinal axis, a first end configured to connect to a first consumable component, and a second end configured to mate with a second consumable component, the frame body surrounding at least a portion of the second consumable component; and
a set of flow passages formed within the frame body, the set of flow passages fluidly connecting an internal surface of the frame body and an external surface of the frame body, the set of flow holes configured to impart a fluid flow pattern about the second consumable component.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention features a frame for a plasma arc torch cartridge. The frame includes a thermally conductive frame body having a longitudinal axis, a first end configured to connect to a first consumable component, and a second end configured to mate with a second consumable component. The frame body surrounds at least a portion of the second consumable component. The frame also includes a set of flow passages formed within the frame body. The set of flow passages fluidly connects an internal surface of the frame body and an external surface of the frame body. The set of flow holes is configured to impart a fluid flow pattern about the second consumable component.
38 Citations
51 Claims
-
1. A frame for a plasma arc torch cartridge, the frame comprising:
-
a thermally conductive frame body having a longitudinal axis, a first end configured to connect to a first consumable component, and a second end configured to mate with a second consumable component, the frame body surrounding at least a portion of the second consumable component; and a set of flow passages formed within the frame body, the set of flow passages fluidly connecting an internal surface of the frame body and an external surface of the frame body, the set of flow holes configured to impart a fluid flow pattern about the second consumable component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A plasma arc torch cartridge having an electrode, a nozzle, and a shield, the cartridge further comprising:
-
an inner portion relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge comprising copper, the inner portion including at least a portion of the shield, the nozzle, and the electrode; and an outer portion relative to the longitudinal axis, the outer portion at least substantially free of copper, the outer portion surrounding the copper inner portion and including at least a portion of the shield and a portion of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A consumable assembly for a plasma arc torch, the consumable assembly comprising:
-
a metallic assembly body extending along a longitudinal axis through the metallic assembly body from a first end to a second end, the metallic assembly body defining a heat sink having a plurality of swirl holes shaped to impart a flow pattern within or around the heat sink; a nozzle having a base and in physical communication with the first end of the heat sink; and an electrode disposed within a portion of the heat sink and a portion of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
-
-
51. A method of cooling a plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
-
providing a composite consumable having a heat sink defining a plurality of holes, the composite consumable having integrated components including an electrode, a nozzle and a shield; installing the composite consumable in the plasma arc torch; and flowing a cooling fluid through the plurality of holes, the cooling fluid forming a fluid flow pattern that cools at least one of the electrode, nozzle or shield, thereby removing at least one watt of power from the plasma arc torch during operation.
-
Specification