Fluidyne Engineering Corporation

Phoenix Solutions Co.

Todd J Stahl

Gary J Hanus

Salvador L Camacho

Rodney E Reeve

To protect the collimator of a transferred plasma arc torch from premature failure due to corrosion, an anti-corrosive covering is applied on the exposed face surface and a portion of the inner exit bore of the collimator. The specification describes several methods for producing the collimator for a plasma torch having an anti-corrosive coating or cladding on the exposed surfaces thereof, including electroplating, electroless plating, flame spraying, plasma spraying, plasma transferred arc, hot isostatic pressing and explosive cladding.

Plasma torch with corrosive protected collimator

A plasma arc torch is provided which is convertible in the field as to be able to operate in either a transfer arc mode or non-transfer arc mode. The plasma arc torch comprises a torch body having channels formed for flow of coolant and plasma gas therein. The torch body further comprises an anode and a cathode base and terminates at a threaded connection point. Adapted to be assembled to the threaded connection by means of mating threads is, alternatively, either an end cap or a cathode extension assembly, thereby establishing a plasma arc torch capable of operating in either a transfer arc mode or a non-transfer arc mode. When the end cap is connected, the cathode base is not energized. The cathode extension assembly contains a cathode extension which connects to the cathode base on assembly. Both the cathode base and cathode extension are energized to form the active cathode for the non-transfer arc mode operation.

Growing community of inventors

Golden Valley, MN, United States of America

Todd J Stahl