Plasma arc torch trigger system

A trigger system for providing gas and electric power to a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a selector disposed within the housing for selecting at least a first operating position,
• wherein positioning the selector in the first operating position mechanically operates the plasma arc torch in a first mode to deliver the gas to the plasma arc torch without preselecting the first mode at a power supply and independent of other operating positions.

A trigger system for providing gas and electric power to a plasma arc torch comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a selector disposed within the housing for selecting among one of a second operating position and a neutral position,
• wherein positioning the selector in the second operating position mechanically operates the plasma arc torch in a second mode to deliver the gas and the electric power to the plasma arc torch, and positioning the selector in the neutral position mechanically operates the plasma arc torch in a neutral mode to inhibit delivery of the gas and electric power to the plasma arc torch without preselecting the second mode and the neutral mode at a power supply, and the second operating position is independent of the neutral position.

A plasma arc torch comprising:

• a torch handle;
• a gas control device disposed within the torch handle;
• a housing disposed within the torch handle and operable with the gas control device;
• and
• a selector disposed within the housing;
• wherein the selector is operable to a first operating position such that the housing activates the gas control device, thereby operating the plasma arc torch in a first mode to deliver gas to the plasma arc torch.

A method of operating a plasma arc torch in a first operating mode comprising the steps of:

• providing a trigger system comprising a selector;
• and
• moving the selector to a first operating position,
• wherein the first operating position mechanically operates the plasma arc torch in the first mode to deliver gas to the plasma arc torch without preselecting the first mode at a power supply and independent of other operating positions.

A method of operating a plasma arc torch between one of at least a second operating mode and a neutral mode, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a trigger system comprising a selector;
• and
• moving the selector between one of a second operating position and a neutral position,
• wherein the second operating position mechanically operates the plasma arc torch in the second mode to deliver the gas and electric power to the plasma arc torch, and the neutral position selects a neutral mode in which delivery of the gas and the electric power to the plasma arc torch is inhibited without preselecting the second mode and the neutral mode at a power supply, and the second operating position is independent of the neutral position.

A trigger system comprising:

• a torch handle defining internal stop;
• and
• a selector adapted for engagement with the stop,
• wherein the internal stop and the selector define contoured adjacent faces that engage to position features of the selector for operating in a plurality of modes and wherein, as the contoured adjacent surfaces of the internal stop and the selector engage, the contoured surface of the internal stop guides the selector to more than two operating positions and positions features of the selector for operating in a plurality of operating modes.