Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes

US9492883B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hypertherm, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Mather · Grafton, US
• Nicholas A. Sanders · Minneapolis, US
• Jon W. Lindsay · Lebanon, US
• Peter J. Twarog · Lebanon, US
• E. Michael Shipulski · Etna, US
• Zheng Duan · Hanover, US
• David J. Cook · Bradford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 6, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 15, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 13, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05H1/3489
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A component for a contact start plasma arc torch is provided. The component includes a hollow body defining a channel with a longitudinal axis. The channel is capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis. The component includes a contact element disposed in the hollow body and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adapted to facilitate electrical communication with a power supply and the second surface is adapted to physically contact a surface of the electrode body when the plasma arc torch is operated in a transferred arc mode. In addition, the second surface is characterized by the absence of physical contact with the surface of the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.