Adapter for a Plasma Arc Torch

• US 20120061355A1
• Filed: 09/09/2010
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Mather, Jonathan, Twarog, Peter J., Eickhoff, Stephen Theodore, Simek, Richard Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,624,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.53
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 10/00 Welding or cutting by means of a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/42 for cutting F23D14/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/54 for cutting or welding metal
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/3423 Connecting means, e.g. electrical connecting means or fluid connections

Abstract

An apparatus and method for extending a plasma arc torch is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plasma torch adapter for relocating a mounting location of plasma torch consumables with respect to a plasma arc torch. The adapter is configured to be mounted between a plasma arc torch and the plasma torch consumables. The adapter is connectable to a consumable interface of the torch and includes a generally longitudinal body having a first end and a second end. The adapter includes a first connector at the first end of the body that is adapted to mate with the consumable interface. The adapter further includes a second connector at the second end of the body for mating with a set of plasma torch consumables, such that a second mounting location for consumables is established in a spaced relationship relative to the first connector, the mounting location adjacent the second connector.

Claims

1. A plasma torch adapter for relocating a mounting location of plasma torch consumables with respect to a plasma arc torch, configured to be mounted between a plasma arc torch and the plasma torch consumables and connectable to a consumable interface of the plasma arc torch, the plasma torch adapter comprising:

a generally longitudinal body including a first end and a second end;

a first connector at the first end of the body, the first connector adapted to mate with the consumable interface of the plasma arc torch; and

a second connector at the second end of the body for mating with a set of plasma torch consumables, such that a second mounting location for consumables is established in a spaced relationship relative to the first connector, the second mounting location adjacent the second connector.

2. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the consumable interface accommodates consumables having a first mounting topology and the second connector accommodates consumables having a second mounting topology.

3. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 further comprising a sensor that detects the presence of consumables mounted at the second mounting location.

4. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 further comprising an adapter sensor mechanism that relocates a functionality of a torch sensor to the mounting location of the adapter.

5. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the first connector receives a first set of functionalities from the plasma arc torch and the second connector transmits a second set of functionalities to the set of plasma torch consumables, the second set of functionalities including at least the first set of functionalities.

6. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the first connector receives a first set of functionalities from the plasma arc torch and the second connector transmits a second set of functionalities to the set of plasma torch consumables, the second set of functionalities does not include all functionalities of the first set of functionalities.

7. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the body contains at least two electrical paths from the second end of the body to the first end of the body.

8. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein a gas flow of the plasma arc torch is modified by the plasma torch adapter.

9. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the body has a starting mechanism for contact starting a plasma arc.

10. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein a central axis of the second connector is located at an angle of about 0°

to about 180°

relative to a central axis of the first connector.

11. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the body is at least one of flexible or positionable.

12. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the second connector is configured to connect to a second plasma torch adapter.

13. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the plasma arc torch is a handheld plasma arc torch.

14. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the consumable interface and the second connector are complementary.

15. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the adapter is securable to the consumable interface to prevent rotation of the adapter relative to the torch.

16. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the adapter has a gas input separate from a gas input from the plasma arc torch.

17. The plasma torch adapter of claim 1 wherein the plasma torch consumables and the set of plasma torch consumables are the same.

18. A method of modifying a plasma arc torch that receives a first plasma arc consumable set having a first mounting topology to receive a second consumable set having a second mounting topology, the method comprising:

positioning an adaptor for extending the plasma arc torch between the plasma arc torch and the second consumable set, the adapter connectable to a consumable interface of the plasma arc torch;

aligning a first connector of the adaptor with the consumable interface of the plasma arc torch;

securing the first connector of the adaptor to the consumable interface of the plasma arc torch;

aligning the second consumable set having the second mounting topology with the second connector of the adapter; and

securing the second connector of the adapter to the second consumable set.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising removing the first consumable set having the first mounting topology from the first consumable interface of the plasma arc torch.

20. A plasma torch adapter for extending a plasma arc torch, configured to be mounted between the plasma arc torch and plasma torch consumables, the plasma torch adapter connectable to a consumable interface of the plasma arc torch and comprising:

a generally longitudinal body including a first end and a second end;

a first connector at the first end of the body, the first connector adapted to receive a gas input and cutting current from the plasma arc torch; and

a second connector at the second end of the body for passing a gas output and a cutting current to plasma torch consumables, such that a mounting location for the consumables is established in a spaced relationship relative to the first connector, the mounting location adjacent the second connector.

21. The plasma torch adapter of claim 20 wherein the body comprises a starting mechanism for contact starting a plasma arc.

22. The plasma torch adapter of claim 21 wherein the starting mechanism includes a spring.

23. The plasma torch adapter of claim 20 wherein the body of the adapter is positionable such that a central axis of the second connector is located at an angle of about 0°

to about 180°

relative to a central axis of the first connector.