Plasma arc torch with vented flow nozzle retainer
US6084199A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H1/3489
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A flow of ionizable gas is provided to a shielded plasma arc torch which includes an electrode, a translatable nozzle, a nozzle retainer, and a shield. After passing through a heat exchanger to cool the electrode, the gas flow enters an annular chamber where the flow is divided into three subflows. A first subflow enters a plasma chamber formed by the electrode, the nozzle, and a swirl ring to pressurize the plasma chamber and support a plasma arc. The second subflow passes serially through apertures in the nozzle retainer and the shield to shield the plasma arc. The remaining flow is vented to ambient. Accordingly, a single gas flow may be employed to independently support multiple torch operating requirements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.