Electrode for plasma torch with novel assembly method and enhanced heat transfer
First Claim
1. An electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising:
- a generally tubular outer wall;
an end wall joined to a distal end of the outer wall and supporting an emissive element in a generally central region of the end wall; and
a protrusion extending from the generally central region of the end wall, the protrusion centrally disposed within the generally tubular outer wall, the protrusion comprising a releasable connection to secure the electrode to the electrode holder,wherein at least one coolant passage is formed between the protrusion and the electrode holder when the electrode is connected with the electrode holder.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are related to an electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising a generally tubular outer wall, an end wall, and a protrusion. The end wall is joined to a distal end of the outer wall and supports an emissive element in a generally central region. The protrusion extends from the generally central region of the end wall and is configured to connect with an electrode holder by a releasable connection, wherein the protrusion is configured such that at least one coolant passage forms between the protrusion and the electrode holder when the electrode is connected with the electrode holder. In some embodiments, the releasable connection comprises a threaded connection, wherein the protrusion is threaded to releasably connect to a threaded coolant tube of the electrode holder. In other embodiments, at least one coolant passage is defined by the threaded connection.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising:
-
a generally tubular outer wall; an end wall joined to a distal end of the outer wall and supporting an emissive element in a generally central region of the end wall; and a protrusion extending from the generally central region of the end wall, the protrusion centrally disposed within the generally tubular outer wall, the protrusion comprising a releasable connection to secure the electrode to the electrode holder, wherein at least one coolant passage is formed between the protrusion and the electrode holder when the electrode is connected with the electrode holder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A plasma arc torch comprising:
-
a torch body; a nozzle supported adjacent one end of the torch body; an electrode holder supported by the torch body and configured to provide coolant through an interior of the electrode holder; and an electrode having an end wall that supports an emissive element and a protrusion extending from a generally central region of the end wall, at least a portion of the protrusion centrally disposed within a generally tubular outer wall of the electrode, the protrusion comprising a releasable connection for securing the electrode to the electrode holder, wherein at least one coolant passage is formed between the protrusion and the electrode holder, the at least one coolant passage allowing coolant to flow therethrough and impinge on the end wall of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for cooling an electrode in a plasma arc torch, comprising the steps of:
-
connecting an electrode to an electrode holder by a releasable connection therebetween, the electrode having an end wall supporting an emissive element and a protrusion extending from a generally central region of the end wall, the protrusion centrally disposed within a generally tubular outer wall of the electrode, the protrusion including a releasable connection for securing the electrode to the electrode holder; and providing coolant through a coolant tube of the electrode holder and through at least one coolant passage defined by the releasable connection such that the end wall of the electrode is impinged by the coolant. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. An electrode assembly for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
-
an electrode comprising;
a generally tubular outer wall;an end wall joined to a distal end of the outer wall and supporting an emissive element in a generally central region of the end wall; and a protrusion extending from the generally central region of the end wall, at least a portion of the protrusion being centrally disposed within the generally tubular outer wall of the electrode; and an electrode holder connected to the electrode, the electrode holder comprising;
an inner coolant tube for providing coolant to the electrode; and
an outer coolant tube surrounding the inner coolant tube for removing coolant from the electrode via a space between the inner and outer coolant tubes;wherein the protrusion of the electrode includes a releasable connection to releasably connect with the inner coolant tube of the electrode holder, wherein at least one coolant passage forms between the protrusion of the electrode and the inner coolant tube of the electrode holder when the electrode is connected with the electrode holder. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
-
Specification