Plasma torch condition monitoring
First Claim
1. A method for detecting erosion of a nozzle of a plasma arc torch while a plasma jet is being generated by the torch including measuring the pressure of a plasma forming gas supplied to the torch at a location upstream of the nozzle orifice, comparing the measured pressure with a reference pressure value representative of a non-eroded nozzle, wherein a measured pressure value which is less than said reference value indicates the presence of erosion of the nozzle orifice, and additionally measuring an electrical parameter associated with the plasma jet and comparing the measured electrical parameter with a reference value for detecting a change in length of an arc forming the said plasma, wherein the pressure measurement and comparison with a reference value, and the electrical parameter measurement and comparison with a reference value, are used to distinguish between erosion of the nozzle of the torch and erosion of the electrode of the torch.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a plasma arc torch determines whether the nozzle (13) of the torch and an electrode (11) of the torch have suffered any erosion and distinguishes the two. The pressure of a plasma forming gas that is supplied for the torch (p1 or pn) is monitored while the torch is operating to detect erosion of the orifice (12) of the nozzle (13), and the voltage Une between the electrode (11) and nozzle (13) is monitored, also while the torch is operating, to detect erosion of the electrode (11). A pressure, p1 or pn below a reference pressure indicative of a good (un-eroded) nozzle indicates erosion of the orifice (12), and a voltage Une above a reference voltage indicative of a good (un-eroded) electrode indicates erosion of the electrode. The pressure measurement and Une are compared with appropriate reference values to logically discriminate between wear of the nozzle and wear of the electrode (given that an increase in Une due to electrode wear is opposed by a decrease in Une due to nozzle wear). The apparatus and method may provide a binary "good" or "bad" output for the nozzle and electrode, respectively, or may allow for the degree of wear of each to be determined.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A method for detecting erosion of a nozzle of a plasma arc torch while a plasma jet is being generated by the torch including measuring the pressure of a plasma forming gas supplied to the torch at a location upstream of the nozzle orifice, comparing the measured pressure with a reference pressure value representative of a non-eroded nozzle, wherein a measured pressure value which is less than said reference value indicates the presence of erosion of the nozzle orifice, and additionally measuring an electrical parameter associated with the plasma jet and comparing the measured electrical parameter with a reference value for detecting a change in length of an arc forming the said plasma, wherein the pressure measurement and comparison with a reference value, and the electrical parameter measurement and comparison with a reference value, are used to distinguish between erosion of the nozzle of the torch and erosion of the electrode of the torch.
- 9. Apparatus for detecting erosion of a nozzle of a plasma arc torch while a plasma jet is being generated by the torch including means for measuring the pressure of a plasma forming gas supplied to the torch at a location upstream of the nozzle orifice and means for comparing a measured pressure value determined by said first mentioned means with a reference pressure value representative of a non-eroded nozzle, wherein a measured pressure value which is less than said reference value indicates the presence of erosion of the nozzle office, and means for measuring an electrical parameter associated with the plasma jet and for comparing said measured electrical parameter with a reference value for determining a change in length of an arc forming the plasma, said electrical parameter measuring means including means for measuring voltage between an electrode and the nozzle of the plasma arc torch, wherein the pressure measuring means, pressure comparing means, electrical parameter measuring means and electrical parameter comparing means functionally distinguish between erosion of the nozzle of the torch and erosion of the electrode of the torch.
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