Vented shield system for a plasma arc torch

A vented shield system for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body;
• and
• a distal face having a central opening and a plurality of vent passageways formed through the distal face;
• and
• a mechanized cap comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured within the central opening of the vented retainer;
• and
• a distal face defining a central exit orifice,
• wherein the vent passageways direct a flow of vent gas inward toward the mechanized cap for cooling, a plasma stream and a secondary gas exit the central exit orifice in the mechanized cap, and the mechanized cap blocks molten metal from contacting components of the plasma arc torch during operation of the plasma arc torch.

A vented shield system for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body;
• and
• a distal face having a central opening and a plurality of vent passageways formed through the distal face;
• and
• a drag cap comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured within the central opening of the vented retainer;
• and
• a distal face defining a central exit orifice and a plurality of channels,
• wherein the vent passageways direct a flow of vent gas inward toward the drag cap for cooling, a plasma stream and a secondary gas exit the central exit orifice in the drag cap, the channels vent a portion of the secondary gas away from the plasma stream, and the drag cap blocks molten metal from contacting components of the plasma arc torch during operation.

A vented shield system for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body;
• and
• a distal face having a central opening and a plurality of vent passageways formed through the distal face;
• and
• a gouging cap comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured within the central opening of the vented retainer;
• an annular external flange disposed around the proximal end portion;
• and
• a central exit orifice,
• wherein the annular external flange abuts the distal face of the vented retainer to block the vent passageways and a plasma stream and a secondary gas exit the central exit orifice in the gouging cap during gouging operations of the plasma arc torch.

A vented shield system for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body;
• and
• a distal face having a central opening and a plurality of vent passageways formed through the distal face;
• and
• a deflector cap comprising:
• a proximal end portion secured within the central opening of the vented retainer;
• an annular external flange disposed around a distal end portion of the deflector cap;
• and
• a central exit orifice,
• wherein the annular external flange abuts the distal face of the vented retainer to block the vent passageways and a plasma stream and a secondary gas exit the central exit orifice in the deflector cap during operation of the plasma arc torch.

A vented retainer for use in retaining a variety of shield caps of a plasma arc torch, the vented retainer comprising:

• a body defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• a distal face formed at the distal end portion;
• an opening formed through the distal face;
• an attachment area disposed proximate the opening;
• and
• at least one vent passageway formed through the distal face, the vent passageway being angled inward,
• wherein a shield cap is secured to the vented retainer through the attachment area and the vent passageway direct a flow of vent gas inward toward the shield cap.

A shield cap for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a proximal end portion defining an external attachment area;
• and
• a central exit orifice disposed distally from the external attachment area,
• wherein the external attachment area is adapted for engagement with an adjacent attachment area of the plasma arc torch.

A shield cap for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a proximal end portion defining an external annular flange;
• and
• a central exit orifice disposed distally from the external annular flange,
• wherein the external annular flange is adapted to engage an adjacent component of the plasma arc torch to redirect a flow of a vent gas.

A plasma arc torch comprising:

• a vented shield system comprising:
• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body, the vented retainer defining at least one vent passageway;
• and
• a shield cap secured to the vented retainer, the shield cap defining a central exit orifice;
• and
• a tip disposed at a distal end portion of the plasma arc torch and positioned at least partially within the vented shield system,
• wherein the vent passageway directs a flow of vent gas inward toward the shield cap, a plasma stream and a secondary gas exit the central exit orifice in the shield cap, and the vented shield system blocks at least a portion of molten metal from contacting the tip and other components of the plasma arc torch during operation.

A vented shield system for use in a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a shield cup body defining a distal end portion;
• a vented retainer secured to the distal end portion of the shield cup body;
• and
• a shield cap secured to the vented retainer;
• and
• a means for venting a vent gas inward toward the shield cap;
• and
• a means for blocking at least a portion of a molten metal from contacting components of the plasma arc torch during operation.