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US 8,710,396 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for automatically controlling gas pressure for a plasma cutter
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsAnthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.
Claims23
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a housing;
- a power source disposed within the housing constructed to generate plasma cutting power;
- a plasma torch actuated by a trigger and connected to the power source;
- a gas flow system constructed to receive pressurized gas and provide a gas flow to the plasma torch;
- a proportional valve having a control to regulate the gas flow;
- a sensing device;
- and
- a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensing device and regulate operation of the proportional valve, wherein the controller regulates operation of the proportional valve by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve, and wherein the controller determines input pressure of the plasma cutting system based on an output pressure and the drive signal.
5 more elements
A plasma cutting system comprising:
- a plasma torch actuated by a trigger;
- a gas flow system constructed to receive pressurized gas;
- a proportional valve having a control to regulate gas flow;
- a sensing device;
- and
- a controller configured to receive a reading from the sensing device and regulate operation of the proportional valve control, wherein the controller regulates operation of the proportional valve by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve control, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine an input gas pressure of the plasma cutting system based on an output pressure and the drive signal.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.