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US 8,263,896 B2Granted
Automated determination of plasma torch operating mode
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJoseph C. Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for automatically controlling an operating mode of a plasma torch includes a plasma torch that is connected to a power source and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically determine a desired operating mode of the plasma torch and deliver a power signal to the plasma torch based on the desired operating mode.
Claims20
A welding-type system comprising:
- a plasma torch configured to generate a cutting arc upon a supply of cutting current thereto;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- automatically switch operation of the plasma torch between an expanded metal mode and a non-expanded metal mode upon generation of the cutting arc;
- and
- operate the plasma torch in the non-expanded metal mode for a duration of a torch trigger actuation if the cutting arc is present over a pre-defined time period after generation of the cutting arc.
3 more elements
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a power source constructed to generate a plasma cutting power;
- a plasma torch connected to the power source and operable in a first cutting mode and a second cutting mode and configured to generate a cutting arc;
- and
- software means for non-mechanically changing operation of the plasma torch between the first cutting mode and the second cutting mode and for operating the plasma torch in the second cutting mode for a remainder of a torch trigger depression if a maintaining of the cutting arc exceeds a pre-determined temporal threshold.
1 more element
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a plasma torch;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- monitor a cutting arc duration of the plasma torch;
- cause the cutting arc to convert to a pilot arc if the cutting arc duration does not exceed a selected duration;
- and
- allow the cutting arc to collapse if the duration of the cutting arc is at least the selected duration.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.