Cost effective cartridge for a plasma arc torch
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsYu Zhang, Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia, Brett Hansen
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Abstract
An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body is provided. The adapter includes a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body. The at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity. The engagement of the switch is adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.
Claims10
A method for detecting a presence of a consumable in a plasma arc torch that includes a torch head having (i) a cavity, (ii) a cathode disposed in the cavity, and (iii) a consumable sensing pin disposed in the cavity, the method comprising:
- providing an adapter having a body defining a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body;
- inserting the protruding portion of the adapter into the cavity such that the protruding portion is nested radially between the cathode and a wall of the cavity;
- installing the consumable inside of the plasma arc torch;
- physically activating, by the protruding portion of the adapter, the consumable sensing pin in the cavity to indicate the presence of the consumable;
- and
- permitting, based on the physical activation, a flow of electrical current from the cathode to the consumable to enable operation of the plasma arc torch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.