High access consumables for a plasma arc cutting system
First Claim
1. A nozzle for a plasma arc torch, the nozzle comprising:
- a substantially hollow, elongated nozzle body capable of receiving an electrode, the body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle body includes a distal portion having a first internal cross-sectional width and a proximal portion having a second internal cross-sectional width, the second internal cross-sectional width larger than the first internal cross-sectional width;
a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, the nozzle tip including a nozzle exit orifice for introducing a plasma arc to a workpiece, the nozzle body and the nozzle tip defining a conductive joint therebetween;
a swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle;
wherein the first internal cross-sectional width of the nozzle body and the nozzle tip cooperate to retain the swirl sleeve therebetween, preventing distal axial movement of the swirl sleeve;
a nozzle shield; and
an insulator configured to connect the nozzle tip and the nozzle shield and to electrically insulate the nozzle shield and the nozzle tip from one another while transferring thermal energy therebetween.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nozzle for a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle includes a substantially hollow, elongated nozzle body capable of receiving an electrode, the body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. The nozzle also includes a swirl sleeve attachable to an interior surface of the nozzle body, the swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle. The nozzle additionally includes a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, a nozzle shield, and an insulator configured to connect the nozzle tip and the nozzle shield to electrically insulate the nozzle shield and the nozzle tip from one another while transferring thermal energy therebetween.
125 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A nozzle for a plasma arc torch, the nozzle comprising:
-
a substantially hollow, elongated nozzle body capable of receiving an electrode, the body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle body includes a distal portion having a first internal cross-sectional width and a proximal portion having a second internal cross-sectional width, the second internal cross-sectional width larger than the first internal cross-sectional width; a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, the nozzle tip including a nozzle exit orifice for introducing a plasma arc to a workpiece, the nozzle body and the nozzle tip defining a conductive joint therebetween; a swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle;
wherein the first internal cross-sectional width of the nozzle body and the nozzle tip cooperate to retain the swirl sleeve therebetween, preventing distal axial movement of the swirl sleeve;a nozzle shield; and an insulator configured to connect the nozzle tip and the nozzle shield and to electrically insulate the nozzle shield and the nozzle tip from one another while transferring thermal energy therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A plasma arc torch assembly comprising:
-
an electrode, a composite nozzle configured to substantially surround the electrode, the composite nozzle comprising a nozzle body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle body includes a distal portion having a first internal cross-sectional width and a proximal portion having a second internal cross-sectional width, the second internal cross-sectional width larger than the first internal cross-sectional width, a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, wherein the nozzle body and the nozzle tip define a conductive joint therebetween, a swirl sleeve, wherein the first internal cross-sectional width of the nozzle body and the nozzle tip cooperate to retain the swirl sleeve therebetween, preventing distal axial movement of the swirl sleeve, a nozzle shield and an insulator interconnected by press fit; and a retaining cap configured to substantially surround the composite nozzle to maintain the composite nozzle in the plasma arc torch assembly. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for forming a plasma arc torch assembly, the method comprising:
-
attaching a swirl ring to an electrode to form a first portion, wherein the swirl ring substantially surrounds an exterior surface of the electrode; inserting the first portion into a composite nozzle to form a second portion, the composite nozzle comprising a nozzle body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle body includes a distal portion having a first internal cross-sectional width and a proximal portion having a second internal cross-sectional width, the second internal cross-sectional width larger than the first internal cross-sectional width, a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, wherein the nozzle body and the nozzle tip define a conductive joint therebetween, a swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle, wherein the first internal cross-sectional width of the nozzle body and the nozzle tip cooperate to retain the swirl sleeve therebetween, preventing distal axial movement of the swirl sleeve, a nozzle shield and an insulator interconnected by press fit; and inserting the second portion into a retaining cap to form the plasma arc torch assembly, the retaining cap configured to substantially surround the second portion for maintaining the second portion in the plasma arc torch assembly. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
Specification