Multi-stage compressor in a plasma cutter
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorTroy A. Sommerfeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a torch power unit, comprising:
- power electronics configured to provide power to a torch;
- a compressor having multiple compression stages configured to compress a gas to provide a compressed gas output to at least one device coupled to the compressor;
- and
- a first cooling coil coupled to the compressor and configured to cool the gas downstream of a first stage of the multiple compression stages and upstream of the at least one device.
A method of operation, comprising:
- compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit to provide a compressed gas, wherein compressing the gas comprises compressing the gas in a first chamber and a second chamber of the multi-stage compressor;
- cooling the gas via at least one cooling coil after compression in the first chamber;
- outputting the compressed and cooled gas from the torch power unit for supply to a plasma cutting torch;
- and
- outputting a power from the torch power unit for supply to the plasma cutting torch.
A method of manufacturing a torch power unit, comprising:
- providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit;
- coupling at least one cooling coil to the multi-stage compressor, wherein the multi-stage compressor is configured to compress gas via a plurality of compression chambers, and the at least one cooling coil is configured to cool the gas downstream of at least one compression chamber of the plurality of compression chambers;
- and
- mounting the multi-stage compressor and the at least one cooling coil inside an enclosure of the torch power unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.