Assembly for a plasma arc torch and method of operation of the assembly for a plasma arc torch
AssigneeThermacut, K.S.
InventorsZdenek Lapcik, Tomas Kusak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Assembly for a plasma arc torch comprising: —an electrical contact element (6), having a proximal contact surface (25) for contact with a power supply component (8) and a cavity with inner side walls for contact with side walls of a proximal end portion (14) of an electrode (3), and —a spring (4) for pushing the electrode (3) away from the electrical contact element (6), and —an insulation element (5) arranged on the electrical contact element (6) and adapted to prevent transfer of electrical current form the electrical contact element (6) to the spring (4).
Claims10
Assembly for a plasma arc torch comprising:
- an electrical contact element, having a proximal contact surface for contact with a power supply component and a cavity with inner side walls for contact with side walls of a proximal end portion of an electrode, and
- a spring for pushing the electrode away from the electrical contact element, and
- an insulation element arranged on the electrical contact element and adapted to prevent transfer of electrical current form the electrical contact element to the spring.
Method of operation of a plasma arc torch comprising following steps:
- a) an electrode is arranged in a cavity of a plasma arc torch slidably in its axial direction, wherein the electrode is biased by means of a spring into a frontal position, in which its distal end is in contact with a nozzle,
- b) electric current is applied to a power supply component, the electrical current further being conducted via a contact element to the electrode,
- c) thereafter, gas is introduced into the cavity of the plasma arc torch, the gas pushing the electrode in its rear position against the force of the spring, wherein a pilot arc is established between the electrode and the nozzle,
- d) thereafter, the arc is transferred to a workpiece to be processed,
- characterized in that:
- in step a) an insulation element is arranged on the contact element for preventing passage of electrical current from the contact element to the electrode via the spring, wherein the electrode is arranged such that its proximal end portion extends into the cavity of the contact element, and
- in the steps b) and c) the electrical current passes from the contact element via a contact between the inner side wall of the cavity of the contact element and the outer side wall of the proximal end portion of the electrode, at least until rear position of the electrode is attained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.