Electrode for plasma arc torch and method of making same

US6020572A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The ESAB Group, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Alfred William Marner · Florence, US
• Wayne Stanley Severance, Jr. · Darlington, US
• Larry W. Stokes · Florence, US
• Tommie Zack Turner · Darlington, US
• Rue Allen Lynch · Florence, US
• Valerian Nemchinsky · Florence, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 12, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2000
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05H1/3442
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An electrode for a plasma arc torch comprises a copper holder having a lower end which mounts an emissive element serving as the cathode terminal for the arc during operation. A relatively non-emissive separator formed of silver alloyed with 0.5 to 4 percent of copper or other metals surrounds the emissive element and separates the emissive element from the copper holder at the exposed end face of the electrode. The separator serves to prevent the arc from detaching from the emissive element and attaching to the copper holder.