Composite electrode for a plasma arc torch

US7659488B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hypertherm, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David J. Cook · Bradford, US
• Kirk H. Ferland · Newport, US
• Charles M. Hackett · Hanover, US
• Yong Yang · Philadelphia, US
• Richard W. Couch, Jr. · Hanover, US
• Zhipeng Lu · Hanover, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 9, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05H1/3442
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.