Plasma torch for transmitted arcs

US5340961A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mannesmann AG · DE

Inventors

• Hans J. Bebber · Mülheim, DE
• Heinrich-Otto Rossner · Essen, DE
• Gebhard Tomalla · Essen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 8, 1993
• Grant date: Aug 23, 1994
• Expiry date: Jan 8, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05H1/3457
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Parasite arcs which occur during the operation of plasma torches have an adverse economic effect and endanger important parts of the torch. Countermeasures of the prior art are only partly effective. Equipping the annular passage between the electrode and the surrounding nozzle which carries the plasma gas with an electrically insulating lining on the inside of the nozzle provides only partial protection. To insulate the segment of the inner wall part of a water-cooled nozzle adjacent to the end wall part by means of insulating parts penetrating the wall part in question from the outer segment is very expensive and complex, depending on the design and the choice of insulation materials. The invention proposes that secondary passages be distributed uniformly between the annular passage for the plasma gas and an annular passage between the nozzle endpiece and the torch casing, uniformly over the circumference. Through these secondary passages, a portion of the plasma gas is diverted and used to cool the nozzle end area and to displace electrically conducting deposits of dusts etc. and plasma arc flashbacks. A flange which is guided so that it slides in this annular passage also acts,…