Reducing restart cycle time of a plasma blow back torch for improved marking
AssigneeThe ESAB Group, Inc.
InventorsDavid Charles Griffin, Wayne Stanely Severence, JR., Daniel Thayer, Sriram Ramadurai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for extinguishing a plasma arc in a blowback plasma torch are provided. The plasma arc can be extinguished by bringing the electrode into contact with the nozzle and out of contact with the nozzle while the power supply and flow of gas are left on. In particular, while current is flowing through the electrode, the electrode may be brought into contact with the nozzle to extinguish the plasma arc.
Claims20
A method of extinguishing an arc in a plasma arc torch, the method comprising:
- providing a plasma arc emitted from an electrode of a plasma arc torch;
- and
- contacting the nozzle with an electrode while current is flowing through the electrode to extinguish the plasma arc.
A method implemented with a blowback plasma torch, the method comprising:
- providing a first plasma arc emitted from an electrode of a plasma arc torch;
- marking a workpiece with the first plasma arc;
- contacting the nozzle with an electrode while current is flowing through the electrode to extinguish the first plasma arc;
- moving the nozzle relative to the workpiece;
- opening a gap between the nozzle and the electrode to establish a second plasma arc emitted from the electrode;
- marking the workpiece with the second plasma arc;
- and
- contacting the nozzle with the electrode while current is flowing through the electrode to extinguish the second plasma arc.
A computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
- provide a plasma arc emitted from an electrode of a plasma arc torch;
- and
- contact the nozzle with an electrode while current is flowing through the electrode to extinguish the plasma arc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.