# US 8,772,667 B2 · Plasma arch torch cutting component with optimized water cooling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,772,667 B2 - Document ID: US8772667B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/028,768 - Filed: 2008-02-08 - Published: 2008-09-04 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-09 - Assignees: Hypertherm, Inc. - Applicants: Yong Yang; David Jonathan Cook; E. Michael Shipulski - Inventors: Yong Yang; David Jonathan Cook; E. Michael Shipulski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772667B2 ## CPC - B23K 10/00: Welding or cutting by means of a plasma - H05H 1/28: Cooling arrangements - H05H 1/34: Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles - H05H 1/3436: {Hollow cathodes with internal coolant flow} - H05H 1/3442: {Cathodes with inserted tip} - H05H 1/3457: {Nozzle protection devices} - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - H05H: PLASMA TECHNIQUE (apparatus or processes specially adapted for producing X-rays H05G2/00); PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes an elastomeric seal disposed within the sealant portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1 further comprising a face seal on a surface of a rear portion of the nozzle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow path forms at least a portion of a toroidal chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact portion defines a curved or angled contact surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The nozzle of claim 5, wherein the contact surface provides axial and radial alignment of the nozzle to the adjacent torch component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact portion includes a layer of a conductive metal or metal oxide disposed thereon. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The convective cooling structure of claim 8, wherein the cooling structure is at least partially disposed within the nozzle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The convective cooling structure of claim 9, wherein the cooling structure is at least partially disposed within the retaining cap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The convective cooling structure of claim 8, wherein the channel is disposed within the nozzle of the plasma arc torch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The convective cooling structure of claim 11, wherein the channel intrudes into a wall thickness of the nozzle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The convective cooling structure of claim 8, wherein the channel is configured to reduce fluid flow stagnation. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The nozzle of claim 14, wherein the elastomeric sealing element comprises an o-ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The nozzle of claim 14 further comprising a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion including a front face defining an exit orifice, a shoulder portion sized to provide conductive heat transfer with an adjacent component, and an elastomeric seal disposed between the shoulder portion and the rear portion, wherein the elastomeric seal deforms to provide a fluid seal with the adjacent component. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the fluid-cooled portion comprises a toroidal shape. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The plasma arc torch system of claim 19 further comprising a sealing component dimensioned and configured to provide a fluid seal between the conductive contact portion and the convective cooling structure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The plasma arc torch system of claim 19 wherein the sealing component is located on at least one of the torch component or the adjacent torch component. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The plasma arc torch system of claim 19 further comprising a controller and gas console. ### Claim 23 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.