Plasma arc collimator design and construction
AssigneePhoenix Solutions, Inc.
InventorsGary Hanus, David Bergsrud, Steven Hickel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved collimator for a plasma arc torch consists of an annular holder member and an insert member. The insert member includes a tubular stem portion ending in an integrally formed, radially extending face plate. When the stem portion is fitted into the central bore of the holder member with a predetermined clearance fit therebetween, a cooling water passage is created. The improved collimator is characterized by the absence of any welds between the holder member and the insert member that would be exposed to conductive gases given off during use of the plasma arc torch and a lesser resistance to cooling water flow than prior art collimator designs.
Claims8
A collimator for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
- (a) an annular holder member formed from an electrically conductive alloy and having an outer diameter with threads over a predetermined surface thereof adapted for mating with threads on an inner surface of a plasma arc torch housing, the holder member having a central bore of a predetermined diameter extending from a first end to a second end thereof,
- (b) an insert member formed from an electrically conductive alloy adapted to fit within the central bore of the holder member, the insert member having a longitudinally extending tubular stem portion concentrically disposed and integral with a generally circular, radially extending face-plate, the tubular stem portion having an outer diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the central bore in the holder member, whereby insertion of the tubular stem portion into the central bore of the holder member defines an annular cooling water passage therebetween;
- and
- (c) the face-plate of the insert member including an annular, rearwardly-extending flange that engages the outer diameter of the holder member at locations offset from a front surface of the face-plate whereby a joint between said flange and said holder member is contained within the housing when the holder member threads mate with the threads of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.