Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes
First Claim
1. A component for a plasma arc torch, the component comprising:
- a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis; and
an interior surface of the body, the surface comprising one or more of a contour, step, or flange at least a portion of which extends toward the axis, the contour, step, or flange defining a shaped opening capable of slideably receiving along the axis a complementary-shaped portion of an electrode body, wherein the shaped opening is defined in a plane orthogonal to the axis and has a first length in the plane along a first direction and a second length in the plane along a second direction, the second length being greater than the first length.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material that defines a longitudinal axis and a distal end for housing an emissive element. The electrode includes a second end positioned adjacent the electrode body. The second end defines an extensive portion having a first length along a first direction and a second length along a second direction. The second length is greater than the first length. A component for use with the electrode includes a hollow body element having an interior surface with one or more of a contour, step, or flange that defines a shaped opening capable of slideably receiving a complementary-shaped portion of an electrode body.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A component for a plasma arc torch, the component comprising:
-
a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis; and an interior surface of the body, the surface comprising one or more of a contour, step, or flange at least a portion of which extends toward the axis, the contour, step, or flange defining a shaped opening capable of slideably receiving along the axis a complementary-shaped portion of an electrode body, wherein the shaped opening is defined in a plane orthogonal to the axis and has a first length in the plane along a first direction and a second length in the plane along a second direction, the second length being greater than the first length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An assembly for a plasma arc torch, the assembly comprising:
-
a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis and comprising; an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a swirl ring portion that includes one or more holes passing from the exterior surface to the interior surface towards the axis for imparting a swirling motion to a fluid, the interior surface of the hollow body comprising one or more of a contour, step, or flange at least a portion of which extends inward toward the axis, the contour, step, or flange defining a shaped opening in a plane orthogonal to the axis, the shaped opening having a first length in the plane along a first direction and a second length in the plane along a second direction, the second length being greater than the first length; and an electrode body including a complementary-shaped proximal portion that slides through the plane along the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A method of contact starting a plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
providing a component for the plasma arc torch, the component comprising; a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis; and an interior surface of the body, the interior surface comprising one or more of a contour, step, or flange with at least a portion of which extends toward the axis, the contour, step, or flange defining a shaped opening capable of slideably receiving along the axis a complementary-shaped portion of an electrode body, wherein the shaped opening is defined in a plane orthogonal to the axis and has a first length in the plane along a first direction and a second length in the plane along a second direction, the second length being greater than the first length, the shaped opening allowing the electrode body to access a resilient element; passing a pilot arc current between a power supply and the electrode body via the resilient element; and supplying a fluid to the torch body to move the electrode body along the axis such that the complementary-shaped portion of the electrode body passes through the shaped opening. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
11. A method of using a swirl ring component in a contact start plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
-
contacting a resilient element with a contour, step, or flange of the swirl ring component that defines a shaped opening about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough; permitting a complementary-shaped portion of an electrode body to contact the resilient element via the shaped opening; passing a pilot arc current between a power supply and the electrode body through the resilient element; and slideably receiving along the axis the complementary-shaped portion of the electrode body via the shaped opening in response to a supply of fluid to a torch body moving the electrode body through the shaped opening along the axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
Specification