Plasma arc torch and method for assembling and disassembling a plasma arc torch
First Claim
1. A front end assembly for a plasma arc torch, the front end assembly comprising:
- a nozzle retaining cup body having a rearward end removably connectable to a body of the plasma arc torch and a forward end removably connectable to a shield retainer, the shield retainer having a surface for engaging a shield;
a nozzle retaining cup insert receivable in an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup body, the nozzle retaining cup insert having a forward portion extending forwardly beyond a forward end of the nozzle retaining cup body;
a nozzle receivable within an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup insert, a first central portion of the nozzle having a first diameter, the first central portion positioned in close confronting relation with the forward portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the nozzle further including a stop having a rearward facing surface that is engageable with a forward-most surface of a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert to prevent axial movement towards the rear of the nozzle retaining cup insert once the stop and the nose portion are engaged; and
an insulator disposed between the shield and the nozzle, wherein engagement of the shield with the insulator and engagement of the insulator with a forward facing surface of the nozzle limits forward axial movement of the nozzle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A front end assembly for a plasma torch and methods for assembling and disassembling a torch wherein a plurality of front end parts form a unit that is removable from, and installable in, the torch in a single operation without a special fixture. The front end assembly includes a nozzle retaining cup body connectable to a body of the torch, and a forward end connectable to a shield retainer. A nozzle retaining cup insert fits into the nozzle retaining cup body. The shield retainer has an inner surface for retaining the shield. A nozzle is received within the nozzle retaining cup insert. A stop on the nozzle engages the nozzle retaining cup insert when the front end assembly is removed from the torch so the nozzle does not remain in the torch. The shield engages an insulator, which engages the nozzle, to limit forward axial movement of the nozzle.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A front end assembly for a plasma arc torch, the front end assembly comprising:
-
a nozzle retaining cup body having a rearward end removably connectable to a body of the plasma arc torch and a forward end removably connectable to a shield retainer, the shield retainer having a surface for engaging a shield; a nozzle retaining cup insert receivable in an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup body, the nozzle retaining cup insert having a forward portion extending forwardly beyond a forward end of the nozzle retaining cup body; a nozzle receivable within an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup insert, a first central portion of the nozzle having a first diameter, the first central portion positioned in close confronting relation with the forward portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the nozzle further including a stop having a rearward facing surface that is engageable with a forward-most surface of a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert to prevent axial movement towards the rear of the nozzle retaining cup insert once the stop and the nose portion are engaged; and an insulator disposed between the shield and the nozzle, wherein engagement of the shield with the insulator and engagement of the insulator with a forward facing surface of the nozzle limits forward axial movement of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for assembling a front end unit for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
-
receiving a rear portion of a nozzle through an ID of a nozzle retaining cup insert until a stop portion of the nozzle contacts a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, thereby engaging a seal between the nozzle and the nozzle retaining cup insert, the stop having a rearward facing surface that is engageable with a forward-most surface of a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert; receiving the nozzle retaining cup insert and nozzle in an ID of a nozzle retaining cup body so that a rearward surface the nozzle retaining cup insert engages a forward surface of the nozzle retaining cup body; mounting a gas diffuser on the nose portion of the nozzle; centering a shield on the nozzle using the gas diffuser; engaging the shield against the nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert; and screwing a shield retainer onto the nozzle retaining cup body so that the shield and the gas diffuser are locked thereto. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
- 22. A front end unit for a plasma arc torch, the front end unit comprising a nozzle, and a nozzle retaining cup or a nozzle retaining cup insert, wherein the nozzle includes a stop extending radially from the nozzle and having a rearward facing surface facing a body of the plasma arc torch, wherein the rearward facing surface limits axial travel by bearing against a front-most located surface of the nozzle retaining cup or the nozzle retaining cup insert so that the nozzle cannot remain in the torch when the nozzle retaining cup is removed.
-
26. A front end assembly for a plasma arc torch, the front end assembly comprising:
-
a nozzle retaining cup body having a rearward end removably connectable to a body of the plasma arc torch and a forward end removably connectable to a shield retainer, the shield retainer having a surface for engaging a shield; a nozzle retaining cup insert receivable in an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup body, the nozzle retaining cup insert having a forward portion extending forwardly beyond a forward end of the nozzle retaining cup body; and a nozzle receivable within an interior space formed by the nozzle retaining cup insert, a first central portion of the nozzle positioned in close confronting relation with the forward portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the nozzle further including a stop having a rearward facing surface that is engageable with a forward-most surface of a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup insert to prevent axial movement towards the rear of the nozzle retaining cup insert once the stop and the nose portion are engaged.
-
- 27. A front end assembly including a nozzle retaining cup insert, a nozzle retaining cup body, and a shield retainer cup, wherein the nozzle retaining cup insert is axially limited in movement by a rearward facing surface of a shoulder of the nozzle retaining cup insert, the rearward facing surface facing a body of a plasma arc torch and bearing against a forward-most positioned surface of a nose portion of the nozzle retaining cup body and by another surface that bears against a forward portion of the shield retainer.
Specification