Hypertherm, Inc.

Hyperthem, Inc.

Jon W Lindsay

Zheng Duan

Stephen M Liebold

Guy Best

Cedar Jon Vandergon

Aaron D Brandt

Brian J Currier

Richard Eugene Anderson

Brett Andrew Hansen

Peter V Brahan

Edward M Shipulski

Casey Thomas Jones

Gregory S Wilson

E Michael Shipulski

David Osterhouse

Eric J Chalmers

Steve E Voerding

David Jonathan Cook

Michael Hoffa

Stephen Theodore Eickhoff

Girish R Kamath

Christopher Scott Passage

Dennis M Borowy

Shane M Selmer

Brent R Bartlett

Nicholas A Sanders

Jonathan Philip Mather

Peter J Twarog

Zhipeng Lu

John Peters

Garrett K Quillia

James E Farnsworth

Jeremy Beliveau

Martin Higgens

Michael F Kornprobst

Ross Angus Smith

Justin Gullotta

Wayne Chin

Arion Vandergon

Tianting Ren

Steven Voerding

Sara Mancell

Paul T Fransen

Kimberly Catten Ely

Michael W Vandiver

Jason McKearney

Marty Midura

Steve Voerding

The invention features methods and apparatuses for altering a cutting operation during operation of the pressurized liquid jet cutting system. A pressurized liquid jet cutting system includes a pressurized fluid jet cutting head having a plurality of components. The cutting head further includes a sensor configured to sense an operating condition. The sensor transmits a value of the operating condition to a computing device, which alters a subsequent cutting operation. Further, the fluid jet cutting head is configured to work with a data storage mechanism and a reader, such that the data storage mechanism in contact with a body of the fluid jet cutting head is configured to communicate information to a reader of the pressurized liquid jet cutting system. The information is usable to determine a condition of replacement (e.g., a remaining usable life) of the replaceable component, change an operating pressure, change a cutting speed, or alter another operating parameter of the pressurized liquid jet cutting system.

Liquid pressurization pump and systems with data storage

A method for determining operating parameters to process a workpiece using a manufacturing processing system including a plasma arc gouging torch. The method includes positioning a plasma arc gouging torch at a location relative to a workpiece and determining a start point and an end point for each gouging path based on the location and a gouge profile. The method further includes using the gouging profile to determine first operating parameters for the plasma arc gouging torch for a first gouging path and determining second operating parameters for the plasma arc gouging torch for a second gouging path based on the gouge profile and the first gouging path. The second operating parameters include at least one of a second torch speed or a torch offset. The method also includes using at least one of the first or second operating parameters to process the workpiece with the plasma arc gouging torch.

Systems and methods for multi-path gouging

A component for a plasma arc torch includes a body portion, a tapered surface on the body portion, the tapered surface including a compressible member that provides a disengagement force relative to the body portion, and an axially disposed surface on the body portion for coupling a mating surface on an adjacent structure of the torch. The component can be a nozzle and/or an electrode.

Consumable component parts for a plasma torch

A method and system utilizing multi-sensor analysis and data point correlation is provided for predictive monitoring and maintenance of a pressurized fluid cutting system. In a disclosed aspect, multiple sensed characteristics of system operation are correlated to determine a particular failure mode. Identification of the failure mode through active sensor data analysis and correlation facilitates predictive maintenance, minimizes system downtime, and optimizes system output.

Multi-sensor analysis and data point correlation for predictive monitoring and maintenance of a pressurized fluid cutting system

In some aspects, waterjet cutting pressurization systems can include a water pump: (i) having a pressurization chamber and (ii) having a high-pressure water seal maintaining water pressure within the chamber; and a leak detector in fluid communication with the high-pressure water seal and configured to monitor a leak rate of a fluid from the high-pressure water seal.

Detecting fluid leaks in pressurized systems of waterjet cutting systems

A consumable component for a thermal processing torch is provided. The consumable component includes a consumable component body and a signal device located on or within the consumable component body for transmitting a signal associated with the consumable component. The signal can be independent of a detectable physical characteristic of the consumable component.

Optimization and control of material processing using a thermal processing torch

The invention features methods and apparatuses for determining replacement of components in liquid pressurization systems. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system includes a body portion and a data storage mechanism. The data storage mechanism is in physical contact with the body portion. The data storage mechanism is configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system. The information is usable to determine a condition of replacement (e.g., a remaining usable life) of the replaceable component.

The invention features a seal assembly for a high pressure liquid system. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier having abuse portion defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore. The seal carrier also includes a seal disposed within the bore of the seal carrier. The seal carrier also includes a backup ring disposed within the bore of the seal carrier. The seal carrier also includes a hoop ring disposed substantially between the seal and the backup ring, the hoop ring having a proximal surface and an outer surface.

Compact ultrahigh pressure dynamic seal assembly with pressure activating backup ring

A shield for a plasma arc torch is configured to protect consumable components of the plasma arc torch from splattering molten metal. The shield includes a generally conical unitary body defining (i) an interior surface to form a gas flow path with an outer surface of an adjacent nozzle of the plasma arc torch, and (ii) an exterior surface. The body includes (i) a distal first portion defining an exit orifice; and (ii) a proximal second portion formed of a flange sharing a common surface with the distal first portion. The shield also includes a seal assembly disposed on the common surface to retain the liquid coolant flow along the proximal second portion.

Apparatus and method for a liquid cooled shield for improved piercing performance

A method of operating a plasma arc torch system is provided. A first plasma gas supply source, a second plasma gas supply source, and a control unit are provided. A first plasma gas composition is flowed through a first plasma gas flow path, and a plasma arc is generated using the first plasma gas composition. After arc generation, the plasma gas composition is changed to a second plasma gas composition, and the plasma gas flow path is changed to a second plasma gas flow path, wherein the second plasma gas flow path is different from the first plasma gas flow path. The plasma arc is sustained using the second plasma gas composition. The first and second plasma gas flow paths are both at least partially disposed within the plasma arc torch.

Method of improving electrode life by simultaneously controlling plasma gas composition and gas flow

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.

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

An orifice assembly for a liquid jet cutting system includes a generally cylindrical base, an orifice member, and an orifice cap. The base includes a conduit that extends through a central axis from a top surface to a bottom surface of the base. The base also includes a pedestal that defines a protrusion from the top surface, the pedestal having a planar top region substantially parallel to the planar bottom region of the base. The orifice member sits on the planar top region of the pedestal. The orifice member defines an intermediate conduit therethrough, the intermediate conduit in fluid communication with the base conduit. The orifice cap defines an upper conduit therethrough, the upper conduit in fluid communication with the intermediate conduit of the orifice member. The orifice cap is configured to secure the orifice member to the pedestal.

Pedestal style waterjet orifice assembly

A consumable component of a liquid jet cutting system is provided. The consumable component includes a body defining a conduit for a liquid jet and a signal device located on or within the body for transmitting a signal associated with the consumable component to a reader.

Identifying liquid jet cutting system components

Growing community of inventors

Hanover, NH, United States of America

Jon W Lindsay