Plasma arc torch quick disconnect

A connector comprising:

• a socket housing defining a D-configuration;
• a plug housing defining a D-configuration;
• a plurality of electrical conductors secured within the socket housing and the plug housing;
• a plurality of gas conductors secured within the socket housing and the plug housing,
• wherein the plurality of electrical conductors in the plug housing engage the plurality of electrical conductors in the socket housing, at least one gas conductor disposed within the plug housing engages at least one gas conductor disposed within the socket housing, the plug housing engages the socket housing, and the D-configurations align the plug housing to the socket housing for engagement thereof.

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc apparatus comprising:

• a socket housing secured to a power supply and defining a D-configuration;
• a main power socket recessed within the socket housing and positioned off-center;
• a plug housing secured to a torch lead and defining a D-configuration;
• a negative lead gas carrying pin recessed within the plug housing and positioned off-center;
• a locking ring disposed around the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal pins recessed within the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal sockets recessed within the socket housing;
• a pilot return pin recessed within the plug housing;
• and
• a pilot return socket recessed within the socket housing,
• wherein the signal pins engage the signal sockets, the pilot return pin engages the pilot return socket, the negative lead gas carrying pin engages the main power socket, and the locking ring engages the socket housing to secure the plug housing to the socket housing, while the D-configurations align the plug housing with the socket housing for engagement thereof.

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc apparatus comprising:

• a socket housing secured to a power supply and defining a D-configuration;
• a plurality of main power sockets recessed within the socket housing;
• a plug housing secured to a torch lead and defining a D-configuration;
• a plurality of negative lead gas carrying pins recessed within the plug housing;
• a locking ring disposed around the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal pins recessed within the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal sockets recessed within the socket housing;
• a pilot return pin recessed within the plug housing;
• and
• a pilot return socket recessed within the socket housing,
• wherein the signal pins engage the signal sockets, the pilot return pin engages the pilot return socket, the negative lead gas carrying pins engage the main power sockets, and the locking ring engages the socket housing to secure the plug housing to the socket housing, while the D-configurations align the plug housing with the socket housing for engagement thereof.

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc apparatus comprising:

• a socket housing secured to a power supply;
• a main power socket secured within the socket housing, the main power socket comprising a plurality of fingers being separated by axial slots defining a length and a plurality of radial contact pads disposed at a proximal end of the main power socket;
• a plug housing secured to a torch lead;
• a negative lead gas carrying pin secured within the plug housing and engaged by the plurality of radial contact pads;
• a locking ring disposed around the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal pins secured within the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal sockets secured within the socket housing;
• a pilot return pin secured within the plug housing;
• and
• a pilot return socket secured within the socket housing,
• wherein the signal pins engage the signal sockets, the pilot return pin engages the pilot return socket, the negative lead gas carrying pin engages the main power socket, the locking ring engages the socket housing to secure the plug housing to the socket housing, and an undercut reduces the required length of the axial slots to engage the negative lead gas carrying pin.

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc apparatus comprising:

• a socket housing secured to a power supply;
• a plurality of signal conductors secured to a distal end of the socket housing;
• a pilot return conductor secured to the distal end of the socket housing;
• a signal pin shroud protruding from the distal end of the socket housing and disposed between the plurality of signal conductors, the pilot return conductor, and the main power socket to provide a dielectric barrier therebetween;
• a main power socket secured within the socket housing;
• a plug housing secured to a torch lead;
• a negative lead gas carrying pin secured within the plug housing;
• a locking ring disposed around the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal pins secured within the plug housing;
• a plurality of signal sockets secured within the socket housing;
• a pilot return pin secured within the plug housing;
• and
• a pilot return socket secured within the socket housing,
• wherein the signal pins engage the signal sockets, the pilot return pin engages the pilot return socket, the negative lead gas carrying pin engages the main power socket, and the locking ring engages the socket housing to secure the plug housing to the socket housing.

A connector comprising:

• a socket housing;
• a plug housing;
• a locking ring disposed around the plug housing;
• a main pin conducting both electricity and fluid secured within the plug housing;
• a main power socket conducting both electricity and fluid secured within the socket housing;
• and
• a plurality of signal conductors,
• wherein the main pin engages the main power socket, the plug housing engages the socket housing, and the locking ring engages the socket housing to secure the plug housing to the socket housing, while the main pin and the main power socket are positioned off-center to provide additional volume for the signal conductors.