Thread connection for a torch system
First Claim
1. A connector component configured for coupling an electrode to a plasma arc torch, the connected component adapted to secure to a corresponding component of another element of the plasma arc torch to attach the electrode to the other element, the connector component comprising:
- a body including a proximal end and a distal end disposed along a longitudinal axis;
at least two thread regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body near the proximal end, wherein each thread region includes at least one thread disposed on the surface of the body; and
at least two smooth regions each disposed radially about the longitudinal axis between a pair of thread regions on the surface of the body,wherein the at least one thread in a first thread region of the at least two thread regions does not create a continuous rotational thread path with the at least one thread of an adjacent thread region of the at least two thread regions, andwherein at least one of the smooth regions of the connector component is configured to align with at least one of the thread regions of the corresponding component of the other element to facilitate slidable displacement of the connector component and the corresponding component relative to each other.
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Abstract
A connector component is provided for assembly into a torch. The connector component comprises a body that includes a proximal end and a distal end disposed along a longitudinal axis. At least two thread regions are disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body near the proximal end. Each thread region includes at least two parallel threads disposed on the surface of the body. In addition, at least two smooth regions are each disposed radially about the longitudinal axis between a pair of thread regions on the surface of the body.
20 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A connector component configured for coupling an electrode to a plasma arc torch, the connected component adapted to secure to a corresponding component of another element of the plasma arc torch to attach the electrode to the other element, the connector component comprising:
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a body including a proximal end and a distal end disposed along a longitudinal axis; at least two thread regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body near the proximal end, wherein each thread region includes at least one thread disposed on the surface of the body; and at least two smooth regions each disposed radially about the longitudinal axis between a pair of thread regions on the surface of the body, wherein the at least one thread in a first thread region of the at least two thread regions does not create a continuous rotational thread path with the at least one thread of an adjacent thread region of the at least two thread regions, and wherein at least one of the smooth regions of the connector component is configured to align with at least one of the thread regions of the corresponding component of the other element to facilitate slidable displacement of the connector component and the corresponding component relative to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A consumable connector component of an electrode of a plasma arc torch for attaching the electrode to another element of the torch, the consumable connector component comprising:
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a body including a proximal end and a distal end disposed along a longitudinal axis; at least two thread regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body near the proximal end, wherein each thread region includes at least one thread disposed on the surface of the body; and at least two smooth regions each disposed radially about the longitudinal axis between a pair of the thread regions on the surface of the body, wherein the at least one thread in a first thread region of the at least two thread regions does not create a continuous rotational path with the at least one thread of an adjacent thread region of the at least two thread regions, and wherein the consumable connector component is a female component configured to securely engage a male component of the other element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for engaging a first component of an electrode of a plasma arc torch and a second component of the plasma arc torch, the first and second components each having i) a plurality of thread regions each having at least one thread and ii) a plurality of slotted regions characterized by the absence of threads, the method comprising:
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aligning radially at least one thread region of the first component with at least one slotted region of the second component; sliding the first component into the second component longitudinally in the radially aligned position; and rotating the first component in one direction relative to the second component to engage the at least one thread of the thread region of the first component with the at least one thread of the thread region of the second component to secure the first and second components relative to one another, wherein at least one thread of a thread region of the second component does not create a continuous rotational thread path with at least one thread of an adjacent thread region of the second component such that the first component is prevented from rotating further in an opposite direction relative to the second component during disengagement when an edge of a thread region of the first component encounters an edge of a thread region of the second component. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification