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:
Sep. 21, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 05, 2002
Stephen W. Norris, New London, NH (US);
Roger Chamberlin, Sunapee, NH (US);
David Morrie, Claremont, NH (US);
Thermal Dynamics Corporation, West Lebanon, NH (US);
Abstract
A plasma arc torch system, a circuit, and a method for controlling a pilot arc is disclosed. A rate of change sensor, such as a dv/dt sensor, monitors an output current signal or an output voltage signal to determine whether to close a switch to re-attach a pilot arc before a transferred arc becomes extinguished. The switch selectively connects a tip into a circuit path with an electrode and a power supply to allow the pilot arc to form between the tip and the electrode. A power supply preferably regulates the output current or voltage to a first level when a pilot arc is present, and to a second mode when a transferred arc is present.