Plasma arc torch consumables cartridge
AssigneeThermal Dynamics Corporation
InventorsDarrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A consumables cartridge for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a cartridge body and at least one other consumable component such as a tip or an electrode, for example. The consumables cartridge provides for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components by replacing the consumables cartridge when consumable components require replacement rather than replacing consumable components individually or one at a time. Further, methods of installing, removing, and replacing the consumables cartridge are also provided by the present invention.
Claims33
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- and
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch having a cathodic member, the consumables cartridge being removably securable to the plasma arc torch and comprising an electrode configured to electrically contact the cathodic member and to allow a cooling fluid flow between the electrode and the cathodic member when the consumables cartridge is engaged with the plasma arc torch.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge being removably securable to the plasma arc torch and comprising:
- an anode member;
- and
- a tip in electrical contact with the anode member,
- the tip and the anode member being configured to allow a fluid flow between the tip and the anode member.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- and
- at least one additional consumable component selected from the group consisting of a central anode member, an electrode, a tip, a spacer, a tip guide, a tip seal, a distal anode member, a shield cup, a baffle, a coolant guide, a coolant seal, a secondary cap, a secondary spacer, and a locking ring.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- a central anode member disposed within the cartridge body;
- and
- a locking ring disposed around a proximal portion of the cartridge body,
- wherein the locking ring secures the consumables cartridge to a torch head of the plasma arc torch.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip;
- a coolant guide disposed adjacent the tip;
- a coolant seal disposed adjacent the coolant guide;
- a secondary cap disposed adjacent a distal end portion of the tip;
- and
- a secondary spacer disposed between the coolant seal and the secondary cap.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip;
- a secondary cap disposed adjacent a distal end portion of the tip;
- and
- a secondary spacer disposed between the tip and the secondary cap.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- a central anode member disposed within the cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip;
- a distal anode member disposed around a distal end portion of the central body and in electrical contact with the central anode member and the tip;
- a baffle disposed around the distal anode member;
- a shield cup disposed around the baffle;
- a coolant guide disposed adjacent the tip;
- a coolant seal disposed adjacent the coolant guide;
- a secondary cap disposed adjacent a distal end portion of the tip;
- and
- a secondary spacer disposed between the coolant seal and the secondary cap.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- a central anode member disposed within the cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip;
- a distal anode member disposed around a distal end portion of the central body and in electrical contact with the central anode member and the tip;
- a baffle disposed around the distal anode member;
- a shield cup disposed around the baffle;
- a secondary cap disposed adjacent a distal end portion of the tip;
- and
- a secondary spacer disposed between the tip and the secondary cap.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- a central anode member disposed within the cartridge body;
- an electrode disposed at least partially within the cartridge body;
- a tip disposed adjacent the electrode;
- a spacer disposed between the electrode and the tip;
- a distal anode member disposed around a distal end portion of the central body and in electrical contact with the central anode member and the tip;
- a baffle disposed around the distal anode member;
- a shield cup disposed around the baffle;
- a coolant guide disposed adjacent the tip;
- a coolant seal disposed adjacent the coolant guide;
- a secondary cap disposed adjacent a distal end portion of the tip;
- a secondary spacer disposed between the coolant seal and the secondary cap;
- and
- a locking ring disposed around a proximal end portion of the cartridge body.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- and
- at least one additional consumable component secured to the cartridge body,
- at least one of the consumable components being engageable with the plasma arc torch to removably secure the consumables cartridge to a torch head of the plasma arc torch without manipulation of the plasma arc torch other than indirect manipulation of the plasma arc torch by the consumables cartridge.
A plasma arc torch comprising a consumables cartridge, wherein the consumables cartridge comprises:
- a cartridge body;
- and
- at least one additional consumable component,
- at least one of the components of the consumables cartridge being engageable with the plasma arc torch to removably secure the consumables cartridge to the plasma arc torch without manipulation of the plasma arc torch other than indirect manipulation of the plasma arc torch by the consumables cartridge
A plasma arc cutting system, comprising:
- a plasma arc torch;
- and
- a consumables cartridge removably securable to the plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- and
- at least one consumable component selected from the group consisting of a central anode member, an electrode, a tip, a spacer, a distal anode member, a shield cup, a baffle, a coolant guide, a coolant seal, a secondary cap, a secondary spacer, and a locking ring;
- and
- a positioning system for positioning the plasma arc torch with respect to a workpiece.
A cartridge body for a plasma arc torch consumables cartridge, the cartridge body defining an internal bore that engages at least one consumable component, wherein a position of the at least one consumable component is established by the internal bore.
A cartridge body for use in a plasma arc torch, the cartridge body comprising at least one fluid passageway.
An anodic member for use in a plasma arc torch, the anodic member comprising detents to secure the anodic member to an adjacent component of the plasma arc torch.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- and
- a locking ring disposed around a proximal portion of the cartridge body,
- wherein the locking ring secures the consumables cartridge to a torch head of the plasma arc torch.
A consumables cartridge for a plasma arc torch, the consumables cartridge comprising:
- at least one consumable component;
- and
- means for removably securing the consumable component to the plasma arc torch.
A method for installing consumable components to a plasma arc torch, the method comprising the step of removably securing a consumables cartridge to the plasma arc torch by manipulating the consumables cartridge, the step of removably securing a consumables cartridge to the plasma arc torch not requiring direct manipulation of the plasma arc torch.
A method for removing consumable components from a plasma arc torch, the method comprising the step of removing a consumables cartridge from the plasma arc torch by manipulating the consumables cartridge, the step of removing a consumables cartridge from the plasma arc torch not requiring direct manipulation of the plasma arc torch.
A method for replacing consumable components of a plasma arc torch, the method comprising the steps of:
- removing a consumables cartridge from the plasma arc torch by manipulating the consumables cartridge, the step of removing a consumables cartridge from the plasma arc torch not requiring direct manipulation of the plasma arc torch;
- and
- removably securing another consumables cartridge to the plasma arc torch by manipulating the another consumables cartridge, the step of removably securing another consumables cartridge to the plasma arc torch not requiring direct manipulation of the plasma arc torch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.