Method and apparatus for automatically controlling gas pressure for a plasma cutter
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsAnthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.
Claims23
-24. (canceled)
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a power source configured to generate plasma cutting power;
- a plasma torch coupled to the power source;
- a gas flow system configured to receive pressurized gas and provide a gas flow to the plasma torch;
- a proportional valve configured to regulate the gas flow;
- and
- a controller configured to regulate operation of the proportional valve by controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve, wherein the controller determines input pressure of the plasma cutting system based on an output pressure of the plasma cutting system and the drive signal.
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a plasma torch;
- a gas flow system configured to receive pressurized gas;
- a proportional valve having a control to regulate gas flow;
- and
- a controller configured to regulate operation of the proportional valve control by controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve control, wherein the controller is configured to determine an input gas pressure of the plasma cutting system based on an output gas pressure and the drive signal.
A method comprising:
- selecting a desired cutting operation to be performed by a plasma cutting system;
- determining a desired gas pressure set point for the cutting operation;
- detecting one of an output gas pressure and an input gas pressure upon initiation of the cutting operation;
- determining a drive signal to achieve the desired gas pressure set point in response to the detected one of the output gas pressure and the input gas pressure;
- and
- adjusting gas pressure or gas flow in the plasma cutting system based on the drive signal to bring the output gas pressure toward the desired gas pressure set point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.