# US 9,040,868 B2 · Plasma torch and retaining cap with fast securing threads

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- Number: US 9,040,868 B2
- Document ID: US9040868B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/213,941
- Filed: 2011-08-19
- Published: 2013-02-21
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-19
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Applicants: Nathan Gerald Leiteritz; George Arthur Crowe
- Inventors: Nathan Gerald Leiteritz; George Arthur Crowe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040868B2

## CPC

- B23K 9/013: Arc cutting, gouging, scarfing or desurfacing
- B23K 9/287: {Supporting devices for electrode holders}
- B23K 10/00: Welding or cutting by means of a plasma
- H05H 1/34: Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
- 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 retaining cap for a plasma torch is provided that includes fast securing threads. The retaining cap includes internal threads that couple to external threads of a torch body of the plasma torch. The internal and external threads may be multiple start threads having a thread angle greater than 60°. Plasma torches and plasma cutting systems are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A plasma torch, comprising:
a nozzle;
a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;
a torch body having first threads; and
a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise multiple start threads, each of the multiple start threads comprising a root and two walls extending from the root and having a thread angle between the two walls greater than about 60°, wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The plasma torch of claim 1, wherein the first threads comprise a first length and the second threads comprise a second length.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The plasma torch of claim 4, wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The plasma torch of claim 1, comprising a moveable electrode comprising a frustoconical end portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The plasma torch of claim 6, comprising a moveable plunger configured to receive a portion of the electrode, wherein the moveable plunger is biased to a first position closer to a tip of the torch when the torch is non-operational and moved to a second position further from the tip when the torch is operational.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The plasma torch of claim 7, comprising a spring configured to bias the plunger to the first position.

### Claim 9

A retaining cap for a plasma torch, comprising:
a first portion comprising a metallic material; and
a second portion comprising a plastic material, wherein the second portion comprises an annular inner wall comprising multiple start threads, wherein each of the multiple start threads comprises a root, two walls extending from the root, and a thread angle between the two walls of greater than 60°.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the first portion comprises a lip configured to retain a nozzle of the plasma torch.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprises coarse threads.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise a crest having a first width and a root having a second width, wherein the first width comprises about 0.2 millimeters and the second width comprises about 0.4 millimeters.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The retaining cap of claim 9, wherein the multiple start threads comprise a thread pitch, wherein the thread pitch comprises about 4 millimeters.

### Claim 15

A plasma torch, comprising:
a nozzle;
a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;
a torch body having first threads; and
a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise single start threads having a pitch of a multiple start thread, wherein each of the single start threads comprises a root, two walls extending from the root, and a thread angle between the two walls greater than about 60°, and wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the thread angle comprises about 90°.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The plasma torch of claim 15, wherein the torch body comprises a first straight diameter prior to the first threads.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The plasma torch of claim 16, wherein the torch body comprises a second straight diameter after the first threads.