Coolant tube for use in a liquid-cooled electrode disposed in a plasma arc torch
First Claim
1. A coolant tube for use in a liquid-cooled electrode in a plasma arc torch having a torch body and a coolant supply fluid dynamically coupled to the body, the tube comprising:
- a hollow member having a first end, a second end and a coolant passage extending from the first end to the second end, the first end being secured within the torch such that the coolant passage is in fluid communication with the coolant supply; and
a substantially solid member extending from the second end and having a primary flow restriction orifice and at least one additional flow restriction orifice extending therethrough, the primary flow restriction orifice and each additional flow restriction orifice being in fluid communication with the coolant passage and an interior surface of the electrode for providing a plurality of high velocity jets of coolant to the interior surface of the electrode.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A coolant tube for a liquid-cooled electrode disposed a plasma arc torch does not become damaged during an electrode blow-out condition. The coolant tube includes a hollow member and a substantially solid member. The hollow member has a first end, a second end and a coolant passage extending between the first and second ends. The first end can be secured within the torch such that the coolant tube is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the electrode and such that the coolant passage is in fluid communication with a coolant supply. The substantially solid member extends from the second end of the hollow member and has at least one flow restriction orifice extending therethrough. Each flow restriction orifice is fluid communication with the coolant passage for providing at least one high velocity jet of coolant to the interior surface of the electrode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coolant tube for use in a liquid-cooled electrode in a plasma arc torch having a torch body and a coolant supply fluid dynamically coupled to the body, the tube comprising:
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a hollow member having a first end, a second end and a coolant passage extending from the first end to the second end, the first end being secured within the torch such that the coolant passage is in fluid communication with the coolant supply; and a substantially solid member extending from the second end and having a primary flow restriction orifice and at least one additional flow restriction orifice extending therethrough, the primary flow restriction orifice and each additional flow restriction orifice being in fluid communication with the coolant passage and an interior surface of the electrode for providing a plurality of high velocity jets of coolant to the interior surface of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A coolant tube for use in a liquid-cooled electrode in a plasma arc torch having a torch body and a coolant supply fluid dynamically coupled to the body, the tube comprising:
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a hollow generally cylindrical thin-walled member having a first end, a second end and a generally cylindrical coolant passage extending between the first and second ends, the first end being secured within the torch such that the coolant tube is disposed adjacent an interior surface of the electrode and such that the coolant passage is in fluid communication with the coolant supply; and a substantially solid member extending from the second end and having a plurality of cylindrical flow restriction orifices extending therethrough, each flow restriction orifice having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the coolant passage, each flow restriction orifice being in fluid communication with the coolant passage for providing a plurality of high velocity jets of coolant to the interior surface of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for manufacturing a coolant tube for use in a liquid-cooled electrode in a plasma arc torch, comprising the steps of:
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forming a hollow substantially cylindrical thin-walled member having a first end, a second end and a coolant passage extending between the first and second ends; forming a substantially solid member extending from the second end of the hollow member; and forming a primary flow restriction orifice and at least one additional flow restriction orifice extending through the substantially solid member to provide a plurality of fluid communication paths with the coolant passage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A plasma arc torch including a torch body, a coolant supply fluid dynamically coupled to the body, and a power supply electrically coupled to the body, the torch comprising:
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a liquid-cooled electrode mounted in the body; a nozzle mounted in the body adjacent the electrode and having a central passage and an exit orifice through which a transferred arc passes to the workpiece; and a coolant tube for providing coolant to an interior surface of the electrode, the tube comprising; (a) a hollow thin-walled member having a first end, a second end and a substantially cylindrical coolant passage extending from the first end to the second end, the first end being secured within the body such that the coolant tube is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the electrode and such that the coolant passage is in fluid communication with a coolant supply; and (b) a substantially solid member extending from the second end and having a plurality of generally cylindrical flow restriction orifices extending therethrough, each flow restriction orifice having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the coolant passage, each flow restriction orifice being in fluid communication with the coolant passage for providing a plurality of high velocity jets of coolant to the interior surface of the electrode.
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Specification