The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 13, 1980
Filed:
Oct. 31, 1977
Richard W Couch, Jr, Hanover, NH (US);
William V Bailey, Hanover, NH (US);
Hypertherm, Incorporated, Hanover, NH (US);
Abstract
The positioning method disclosed herein is particularly applicable to a plasma arc cutting torch of the type in which tangential swirl is imparted to an ionizable gas through which the arc discharge takes place. The gas flow is initiated while the torch is in a retracted position and the torch is then advanced toward the workpiece. The vortex pressure is sensed and a signal is generated which is responsive to changes in vortex pressure. The advance of the torch is terminated in response to a change in the signal corresponding to the abrupt drop in the vortex pressure caused by attachment of the vortex to the workpiece.