Connector for a Thermal Cutting System or Welding System

A plasma torch connector for a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a housing wall;
• a locking mechanism extending from the housing wall;
• a gas carrying member extending from an end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• a current carrying member extending from the end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• a signal carrying member extending from the end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• and
• an alignment feature orienting the connector relative to a corresponding receiving connector.

A plasma torch connector for a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a housing wall;
• a locking mechanism extending from an external surface of the housing wall;
• a gas carrying member extending from an end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• a current carrying member extending from the end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• a signal carrying member extending from the end face disposed relative to the housing wall;
• and
• an alignment feature orienting the connector relative to a corresponding receiving connector.

A connector for a torch comprising:

• a supportive structure;
• a conduit disposed in the supportive structure and adapted to carry a gas to the torch;
• a means for carrying a cutting current to the torch;
• a means for carrying at least one of a pilot current or a signal current;
• a means for slideably locking the supportive structure to a corresponding receiving means;
• and
• a means for disengaging the supportive structure to the corresponding receiving means.

A connector device for a plasma arc torch system comprising:

• a housing comprising a means for locking out differently rated torches;
• a conduit disposed in the housing, the conduit carrying at least one of a gas or a current to the plasma arc torch system;
• and
• a pin disposed relative to the conduit, the pin carrying a second current to the plasma arc torch system.