The Esab Group Inc.

Other

Gregory William Diehl

David Charles Griffin

Dale Thomas Wiersema

Christopher Reed Martin

Koustubh Dnyandeo Ashtekar

Wayne Stanley Severance, Jr

Valerian Nemchinsky

Frank J Gusky

Michael C McBennett

Wayne Stanley Severence, Jr

Samuel R Averette

A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.

Plasma torch with reversible baffle

Embodiments of the present invention are related to an electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising a generally tubular outer wall, an end wall, and a protrusion. The end wall is joined to a distal end of the outer wall and supports an emissive element in a generally central region. The protrusion extends from the generally central region of the end wall and is configured to connect with an electrode holder by a releasable connection, wherein the protrusion is configured such that at least one coolant passage forms between the protrusion and the electrode holder when the electrode is connected with the electrode holder. In some embodiments, the releasable connection comprises a threaded connection, wherein the protrusion is threaded to releasably connect to a threaded coolant tube of the electrode holder. In other embodiments, at least one coolant passage is defined by the threaded connection.

Electrode for plasma torch with novel assembly method and enhanced heat transfer

A method of fabricating an electrode is disclosed, wherein the electrode comprises a copper holder defining a cavity in a forward end. An emissive element and separator assembly is positioned in the cavity. An intermetallic compound is formed between the emissive element and the separator by heating a relatively non-emissive material until it melts and dipping the emissive element therein before cooling the assembly. As a result, the intermetallic compound is formed significantly faster than by conventional methods.

Method of forming an electrode

An electrode for supporting an arc in a plasma arc torch is provided and includes an emissive element for supporting the arc, which may be formed of hafnium; a relatively non-emissive member comprising a first metal including silver, which is positioned to circumscribe a front surface of the emissive element; and a metallic holder for holding the non-emissive member. The holder is in one embodiment made of a copper alloy including a major portion of copper and a minor portion of another metal, such as nickel. After assembly, the electrode is subjected to a heat treatment that causes a thermal bonding between the relatively non-emissive member and the metallic holder, which, during subsequent operation of the electrode, provides good thermal conduction away from the emissive element and improves the consumable life of the electrode. Advantageously, during the heating step, the nickel attenuates the eutectic reaction between the copper and the silver that would otherwise occur and allows bonding over a wide range of temperatures and heating cycle durations. In addition, the temperature at which bonding occurs between the non-emissive member and the holder is also raised. As a result, if desired, a thermal bond can also be formed between the hafnium emissive element and the non-emissive member during the same heating cycle, thus further promoting thermal conductivity of the electrode. In alternative embodiments, other metals and other configurations, such as the use of an intervening plating, powder or sleeve are used to raise, and provide a greater range for, the temperatures over which bonding occurs between the non-emissive element and the holder.

Electrode component thermal bonding

A gas pressure reducing regulator which includes a flexible diaphragm which is biased by a spring so as to control the opening of the valve of the regulator and thus the delivery pressure of the gas being regulated. The regulator includes a system for effectively containing an accidental oxygen fire, or the like, within the body of the regulator, and protecting the internal components from ignition. The system includes a plunger which resides in an axial bore in the regulator body and shields the diaphragm from hot combustion products, and plunger-retaining features which prevent the plunger from being displaced from its axial bore. Also, the regulator has provision for venting the interior of the regulator to the atmosphere in the event of an excessive overpressure therein.

Gas pressure regulator having burn-out protection system

A post-mixed cutting torch selectively operable in a pilot mode and a cutting mode is provided by the present invention. The control body includes a fuel passage and an oxygen passage which is divided into a preheat oxygen supply branch and a cutting oxygen supply branch. A fuel flow valve is provided in the fuel passage and an oxygen flow valve is provided in the cutting oxygen supply branch of the oxygen passage. Advantageously, an interconnecting passage extends between the preheat oxygen supply branch and the cutting oxygen supply branch. Accordingly, the torch is operable in a preheat/cutting mode wherein oxygen is directed through both the preheat and cutting oxygen apertures of a cutting nozzle. In addition, each of the fuel and oxygen flow valves is associated with a bypass channel which allows the torch to be operable in a fuel saving pilot mode wherein oxygen is directed through both the preheat and cutting oxygen apertures of a cutting nozzle.

Post-mixed cutting torch having a pilot mode and method of operating same

A gas pressure reducing regulator which includes a flexible diaphragm which is biased by a spring so as to control the opening of the valve of the regulator and thus the delivery pressure of the gas being regulated. The regulator includes provision for effectively containing an accidental oxygen fire, or the like, within the body of the regulator, and protecting the internal components from ignition. Also, the regulator has provision for venting the interior of the regulator to the atmosphere in the event of an excessive overpressure therein.

Gas pressure reducing regulator

A gas pressure regulator comprising a body member which mounts a valve between the inlet and outlet gas passages, and which also includes a tubular sleeve which communicates with the outlet passage. A pressure adjusting cap is threadedly mounted to the tubular sleeve. A slidable piston is housed within the tubular sleeve and serves to adjust the opening of the valve, and the movement of the piston is guided by a bore in the cap, so as to preclude tilting or jamming of the piston. The cap also includes an outer sleeve which is coaxially outside the tubular sleeve of the body member, so as to facilitate manual rotation of the cap to adjust the valve opening.

Growing community of inventors

Florence, SC, United States of America

Gregory William Diehl