Process and apparatus for cutting or welding a workpiece

US6713709B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hypertherm, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Nicholas A. Sanders · Minneapolis, US
• Richard W. Couch, Jr. · Hanover, US
• Yong Yang · Philadelphia, US
• Zhipeng Lu · Hanover, US
• Robert C. Dean, Jr. · Hartford, US
• Kenneth J. Woods · Lebanon, US
• Charles M. Hackett · Hanover, US
• John Sobr · Lebanon, US
• William J. Connally · Lebanon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 30, 2004
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B26F3/06
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.