Method and apparatus for initiating welding arc using plasma flow
US6753497B1 · kind B1 · utility
5Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/167
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for initiating a welding arc by directing a plasma jet into the space between the tip of the welding electrode and the workpiece. This is done while an electrical potential is applied between the electrode and the workpiece. The ionized plasma gas renders the space between the electrode and the workpiece more conductive, thereby reducing the voltage threshold needed to initiate an arc between the electrode and the workpiece. When the voltage threshold reaches the level of the applied electrical potential, the arc will be initiated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.