Thermal Dynamics Corporation

Victor Equipment Company

Darrin H MacKenzie

Christopher John Conway

Kevin J Kinerson

Mark Gugliotta

Nakhleh A Hussary

Thierry Renault

Kevin D Horner-Richardson

Brandon Hebert

Chris Conway

Mike Wolfinger

Joseph P Jones

Fred A Rogers

Roger W Hewett

Shiyu Chen

Douglass A Demers

Milind G Kelkar

Kevin J Kinderson

Terry N Raymond

Stewart Trent Adams

Geoffery H Putnam

Martin Young

Stewart T Adams

A method of starting an auto-ignition gas torch includes increasing a flow of oxygen above zero and increasing a flow of fuel gas to a level lower than the flow of oxygen for improved start reliability. In one form, the flow of oxygen is from about two times to about six times higher than the flow of fuel gas.

Automatic gas torch ignition in an oxygen rich environment

A shield device for a plasma arc torch includes an inner shield member defining an inner auxiliary gas chamber and an outer shield member surrounding the inner shield member. An outer auxiliary gas chamber is defined between the inner shield member and outer shield member. The shield device allows an auxiliary gas flow to be split into a first flow of auxiliary gas through the inner auxiliary gas chamber and a second flow of auxiliary gas through the outer auxiliary gas chamber. The inner shield member and the outer shield member are configured to be mounted to the plasma arc torch as an integral unit.

Hybrid shield device for a plasma arc torch

A method of directing a gas flow in a tip of a gas torch includes: directing a flow of gas to an outer passageway of the tip; directing the flow of gas inwardly through at least one intermediate gas passageway; directing the flow of gas to a central gas passageway of the tip; and directing the flow of gas distally through a distal orifice of the tip.

Method of directing a gas flow in a gas cutting tip

A method of directing gas flows in a gas torch includes directing a flow of a first gas and a flow of a second gas to a mixer central gas passageway of a mixer and directing the flow of the mixed first and second gases from the mixer to an axial passageway of a tip. The method further includes directing a flow of a third gas to an outer passageway of the tip, directing the flow of the third gas inwardly through at least one intermediate gas passageway, and then directing the flow of the third gas to a tip central gas passageway of the tip. Finally, the flow of the mixed first and second gases and the flow of the third gas are directed distally through a distal portion of the tip.

Method of mixing gases for a gas cutting torch

An electrode for a plasma arc torch is provided by the teachings of the present disclosure. In one form, the electrode includes a conductive body, a plurality of deformed emissive inserts, and a dimple. In one form, the plurality of emissive inserts are concentrically nested about the centerline of the conductive body, and the dimple is positioned concentrically about a centerline of the conductive body. The plurality of emissive inserts and the dimple increase the life of the electrode.

High current electrode for a plasma arc torch

A tip for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes an outer tip portion defining a central cavity and a distal orifice and an inner tip portion disposed within the cavity of the outer tip portion. The inner tip portion defines an outer surface, a central gas passageway in communication with the distal orifice of the outer tip portion, and an least one intermediate gas passageway extending from the outer surface to the central gas passageway for a flow of at least one gas to provide improved cooling to the tip.

Gas cutting tip with improved flow passage

A tip assembly for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes a tip and a mixer. The tip includes a tip central gas passageway and a distal orifice and the mixer includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the mixer is adapted for connection to the tip and the proximal end portion of the mixer defines a connecting member that removably connects the mixer to a torch head.

Mixer for a gas cutting torch

A component for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes an orifice that defines a continuously changing cross-sectional size along the length of a surface of the orifice from an inlet portion to an outlet portion. The surface extends along the component and directs a flow of shield gas at a predetermined angle to result in a specific pierce or cut location on a workpiece. In one form, the component is a shield cap. The continuously changing surface may be convergent, divergent, or a combination of convergent and divergent according to the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, the shield cap may comprise a single, unitary piece or alternately a plurality of pieces or components.

Contoured shield orifice for a plasma arc torch

A drag tip for use in a plasma cutting torch is provided that includes an inner tip portion defining a distal end face, an inner cavity through which a plasma gas flows, and an orifice disposed between the distal end face and the inner cavity. An outer tip portion surrounds the inner tip portion and defines an inner chamber to accommodate a flow of secondary gas and also a distal end portion. The distal end face of the inner tip portion is adapted for contact with a workpiece and extends distally beyond the distal end portion of the outer tip portion, and the flow of secondary gas exits the outer tip portion proximate the distal end portion. Variations of the drag tip and methods of operation are also provided.

Drag tip for a plasma cutting torch

Methods and devices for controlling the flow of gases through a plasma arc torch are provided. A flow of plasma gas is directed to a plasma chamber, a first flow of auxiliary gas is directed around a plasma stream that exits a tip in one of a swirling manner and a radial manner, and a second flow of auxiliary gas is directed around the first flow of auxiliary gas and the plasma stream in one of a coaxial manner, an angled manner, and a radial manner. The first flow of auxiliary gas functions to constrict and shape the plasma stream to improve cut quality and cut speed, and the second flow of auxiliary gas functions to protect the plasma arc torch during piercing and cutting and to cool components of the plasma arc torch such that thicker workpieces may be processed with a highly shaped plasma stream.

A component for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes a continuously contoured surface extending along the component that directs a flow of shield gas at a predetermined angle to result in a specific pierce or cut location on a workpiece. In one form, the component is a shield cap that includes an exit orifice extending through a central portion of the shield cap, the exit orifice defining an inlet portion and an outlet portion, and a continuously contoured surface extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The continuously contoured surfaces may be convergent, divergent, or a combination of convergent and divergent according to the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, the shield cap may comprise a single, unitary piece or alternately a plurality of pieces or components.

Devices and methods are provided that control gas flow to a plasma arc torch local to a torch handle. Generally, a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a gas control device operable with a torch lead and a torch head, and an activation member operable with the gas control device. Accordingly, the activation member activates the gas control device such that gas flow is supplied from the torch lead to the torch head, and the activation member deactivates the gas control device such that the gas flow is terminated. Further, the activation member may comprise a trigger system, a button, or a safety member, among others. Moreover, the gas control device may comprise a gas control valve or a switch that activates a gas control device disposed within a power supply, among others.

Torch handle gas control

A modular plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a torch head and a torch lead, and a quick disconnect that is operatively engaged between the torch head and the torch lead. Accordingly, the torch head and torch lead may be quickly assembled and disassembled through the use of the quick disconnect. Further, the modular plasma arc torch also comprises a gas control device disposed within the plasma arc torch, which is operatively engaged between the torch head and the torch lead through the use of the quick disconnect according to the present invention. In addition, the quick disconnect may be used to connect a wide range of torch components within a plasma arc torch, thereby providing a reconfigurable plasma arc torch. Moreover, the quick disconnect according to the present invention conducts both gas and electric power from a power supply to the torch head for operation of the plasma arc torch.

Growing community of inventors

Windsor, VT, United States of America

Darrin H MacKenzie