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:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2002
Valerian Nemchinsky, Florence, SC (US);
The ESAB Group, Inc., Florence, SC (US);
Abstract
There are provided a plasma arc torch and associated methods for selectively switching between a working mode and a standby mode. An electric arc is established between an electrode and a workpiece, and the torch is operated selectively in the working and standby modes. In the working mode, the arc extends between the electrode and the workpiece, the arc has a working arc current, and a plasma gas flows through a nozzle at a working flow rate. In the subsequent standby mode, the arc extends between the electrode and the nozzle and has a current less than the working arc current. The gas flow rate in the standby mode can be reduced to less than the working flow rate, and the plasma gas can be switched from an oxidizing gas to a non-oxidizing gas.