Plasma arch torch cutting component with optimized water cooling
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsYong Yang, David Jonathan Cook, E. Michael Shipulski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle or retaining cap for a plasma arc torch that includes a surface defining a conductive contact portion for exchanging heat with an adjacent torch component. The adjacent torch component can be a retaining cap, electrode or nozzle. The surface of the nozzle or retaining cap can also at least partially define a cooling channel having a curvilinear surface. A sealant portion can be positioned between the conductive contact portion and the cooling channel. The sealant portion can form or create a fluid barrier between the cooling channel and the conductive portion.
Claims23
A nozzle for a plasma arc torch comprising:
- an exterior surface defining a conductive contact portion for exchanging heat with an adjacent torch component;
- a curvilinear surface having a concave curvilinear portion defining a fluid flow path to reduce stagnation of a flow fluid, the curvilinear surface facing outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle;
- and
- a sealant portion positioned between the conductive contact portion and the fluid flow path, the sealant portion prevents the flow fluid from leaking out of the plasma arc torch,
- wherein the fluid flow path includes at least a portion of a fluid chamber having a convex curvilinear portion, the convex curvilinear portion promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion.
A convective cooling structure for a plasma arc torch disposed in at least one of a nozzle and a retaining cap of the plasma arc torch, the convective cooling structure comprising:
- a concave curvilinear portion defining at least a portion of a channel;
- a convex curvilinear portion for promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion;
- and
- a tangential connection portion disposed between the convex and concave curvilinear portions, wherein the convex curvilinear portion defines at least a portion of a fluid flow path.
A nozzle for use in a fluid-cooled plasma torch, the nozzle comprising:
- a body having an outer perimeter that partially defines a fluid channel that has a curvilinear surface having a concave curvilinear portion defining a fluid flow path to reduce stagnation of a flow fluid, the curvilinear surface facing outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle, the body including an end face, the end face is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a component;
- a groove extending at least partially through the end face;
- an elastomeric seal disposed within the groove to provide a barrier between a plasma gas flow and the fluid channel, the elastomeric seal prevents the flow fluid from leaking out of the plasma arc torch,
- wherein the fluid flow path includes at least a portion of a fluid chamber that includes a convex curvilinear portion, the convex curvilinear portion promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion.
A fluid cooled plasma arc torch nozzle comprising:
- a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion including a front face defining an exit orifice;
- a conductive shoulder portion sized to axially align with an adjacent component;
- a fluid-cooled portion disposed between the shoulder portion and the rear portion, wherein the fluid-cooled portion includes a curvilinear surface having a concave curvilinear portion defining a fluid flow path to reduce stagnation of a flow fluid, the curvilinear surface facing outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle;
- and
- a sealing member disposed between the liquid cooling portion and the conductive shoulder portion, the sealing member prevents the flow fluid from leaking out of the plasma arc torch,
- wherein the fluid flow path includes at least a portion of a fluid chamber that includes a convex curvilinear portion, the convex curvilinear portion promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion.
A plasma arc torch system comprising:
- a power supply;
- a torch body connected to the power supply;
- an electrode disposed within the torch body;
- a torch component with a surface defining a conductive contact portion for exchanging heat with an adjacent torch component and a convective cooling structure comprising a concave curvilinear portion that defines at least a portion of a cooling channel and a convex curvilinear portion, the convex curvilinear portion promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion.
A method of cooling a plasma torch component comprising:
- exchanging heat from a nozzle with an adjacent torch component through a conductive contact portion;
- flowing a cooling fluid through a cooling channel having a curvilinear surface, the curvilinear surface configured to reduce stagnation of the cooling fluid, the curvilinear surface facing outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle;
- and
- providing a barrier comprising a sealing component between the conductive contact portion and the cooling channel, the barrier prevents the cooling fluid from leaking out of the plasma arc torch,
- wherein a fluid flow path includes at least a portion of a fluid chamber that includes a convex curvilinear portion, the convex curvilinear portion promoting fluid flow into the concave curvilinear portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.