Contact start plasma arc torch and method of initiating a pilot arc
US6903301B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H1/3489
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A contact start plasma arc torch is provided that comprises an electrode, a tip, and an initiator that is resiliently biased into contact with the tip, the initiator being movable against the resilient bias to separate from the tip and establish a pilot arc between the initiator and the tip. The initiator is disposed within a start cartridge, which preferably comprises a coil spring that biases the initiator into contact with the tip. The plasma arc torch further comprises a plurality of head vent holes to vent gas from within the start cartridge during operation of the torch. Additionally, the tip defines a plurality of swirl holes and secondary gas holes to generate and control a plasma stream that is subsequently blown from a central exit orifice in the tip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.