Plasma cutting apparatus for concrete structures

Abstract

A compact plasma cutting apparatus suitable for the thermal cutting of concrete structures includes a sealed housing to which a plasma gas is fed under pressure. A metal strip that serves as an outer hollow electrode is bent such that a widthwise section thereof is in circular form, while a metal rod or tube is continuously inserted through a hollow portion of the thus formed outer electrode, with an insulator located between both electrodes. While gas is passed between the inner and outer electrodes, an arc is produced at open ends of both electrodes to generate a plasma gas, which is in turn blown onto a concrete structure for thermal cutting. The formation of both electrodes is effected depending on consumption of the electrodes, thereby carrying out thermal cutting continuously. A high-efficient yet economical cutting method is achieved using the cutting apparatus.