Aerojet-general Corporation

Scott N Sieger

Brad J Anderson

Debbie A Dumais

Mueggenburg H Harry

A plasma torch electrode (132) comprises multiple platelets (159) oriented transverse to the electrode axis and joined together to form an electrical connection therebetween. A first group of the platelets have openings aligned to form an axial bore (164) for generating a plasma arc. A second group of the platelets define channels (172,178) aligned with each other, transverse to the electrode axis and in communication with the bore for injecting a gas, such as an inert gas, into the bore. In a specific embodiment, the plasma torch electrode comprises first and second end plates (152, 154) and a midplate (160), with the platelets stacked between and joined to the end plates and the central plate. This configuration allows precise fabrication of gas channels within the first and second sets of platelets while only requiring a small number of separate components to manufacture the plasma torch electrode.

Plasma torch electrode

An electrode for a plasma torch comprises multiple platelets that are stacked together. The platelets have openings that are oriented to form a bore through the electrode adapted for generating a plasma arc. The platelets also have apertures arranged to form multiple coolant channels through the electrode. The coolant channels are immediately adjacent to the bore and extend substantially along the entire length of the bore. This increases the heat transfer area between liquid coolant flowing through the channels and the hot plasma arc within the bore to reduce the temperature of the exposed electrode surface, thereby increasing the lifetime of the electrode. A second set of passages can exist within the electrode to inject gas through the electrode wall at the surface of the bore. This secondary gas injection is directed tangential to the bore surface to create or enhanced gas swirl, thereby rotating the arc foot and eliminating or reducing arc attachment induced erosion damage.

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Fair Oaks, CA, United States of America

Scott N Sieger