Welding torch with plasma assist
US6998574B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H1/2406
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electric arc welding torch having a central conductive contact tube for electrical contact between a power source and a welding wire moving through the contact tube toward a workpiece, a conductive sleeve concentric with the tube to define an annular chamber between the tube and the sleeve, a first dielectric barrier sleeve fixed on the conductive sleeve and a second dielectric sleeve on the tube where the dielectric sleeves are spaced from each other to define an annular gas passage extending around the moving wire and terminals to connect a high frequency power source between the tube and the conductive sleeve to create a dielectric barrier discharge plasma issuing from the gas passage. This torch is used in a novel welding method where the shielding gas envelope around the arc is a plasma.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.