Failure event detection in a plasma arc torch
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsQinghua Liu, Zheng Duan, Zhang Yu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of determining a failure event of consumable for a plasma torch is provided. The method includes monitoring at least one of an operating current or an operating voltage during a transfer arc mode of the plasma arc torch. The method also includes determining when at least one parameter associated with the operating current or the operating voltage exceeds a tolerance threshold for a time period indicative of the failure event. The method further includes shutting off at least one of the operating current or the operating voltage of the plasma arc torch when the at least one parameter exceeds the tolerance threshold for the time period.
Claims24
A method of determining a failure event of consumable for a plasma torch, the method comprising:
- monitoring at least one of an operating current or an operating voltage during a transfer arc mode of the plasma arc torch;
- determining when at least one parameter associated with the operating current or the operating voltage exceeds a tolerance threshold for a time period indicative of the failure event;
- and
- shutting off at least one of the operating current or the operating voltage of the plasma arc torch when the at least one parameter exceeds the tolerance threshold for the time period.
A method of operating a plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
- determining an operating signal during a transfer arc mode of the plasma arc torch;
- calculating a noise level associated with the operating signal;
- determining when the noise level exceeds a predetermined threshold for a time period;
- providing a failure signal when the noise level exceeds the predetermined threshold for the time period.
A plasma torch system comprising:
- means for determining an operating signal during a transfer arc mode of the plasma arc torch;
- means for calculating a noise level associated with the operating signal;
- means for determining when the noise level exceeds a predetermined threshold for a time period;
- and
- means for providing a failure signal when the noise level exceeds the predetermined threshold for the time period.
A component comprising:
- a computer readable product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, operable on a CNC for use in a plasma torch system, the computer readable product comprising:
- information for performing an operation on a workpiece using a plasma arc torch, including instructions such that while performing the operation an operating current of the plasma arc torch is turned off if a noise level associated with an operating signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A method for detecting a failure event of consumable of a plasma arc system, the plasma arc system having a controller and a plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
- monitoring by the controller at least one of an operating current or an arc voltage of the plasma arc torch for the failure event, monitoring for the failure event including at least one of:
- monitoring a first parameter associated with an operating current including (a) current amplitude, (b) rate of current change, or (c) current amplitude fluctuation;
- or
- monitoring a second parameter associated with an operating voltage including (a) arc voltage amplitude, (b) rate of arc voltage change, or (c) arc voltage amplitude fluctuation;
- and
- providing a failure signal from the controller to the plasma arc system upon detection of the failure event.
A system for determining a failure event of consumable in a plasma cutting torch, the system comprising:
- a plasma torch connected to a plasma system and generating a plasma arc, the plasma torch having consumable components;
- a programmable device within the plasma system for controlling and monitoring at least one of an operating current or an arc voltage of the plasma torch, wherein the programmable device detects the failure event associated with the consumable components and changes an operating signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.