Abstract: The safety barrier is for a lift platform that moves between a bottom position and an upper position and safety barrier includes a gate, defining a first plane. The gate includes a surface adapted to engage a cam assembly. The safety barrier has a mount that mounts to the lift platform and a mounting pin, defining an axis, that rotatably mounts the gate. The safety barrier also includes an upright post assembly having an upright post mounted to a non-movable surface, and the cam assembly that applies an upward force to the surface of the gate. When the lift platform moves to the bottom position, the assembly engages the surface and the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into an open position, and when the lift platform moves to the upper position, the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into a closed position.

Abstract: The safety barrier is for a lift platform that moves between a bottom position and an upper position and safety barrier includes a gate, defining a first plane. The gate includes a surface adapted to engage a cam assembly. The safety barrier has a mount that mounts to the lift platform and a mounting pin, defining an axis, that rotatably mounts the gate. The safety barrier also includes an upright post assembly having an upright post mounted to a non-movable surface, and the cam assembly that applies an upward force to the surface of the gate. When the lift platform moves to the bottom position, the assembly engages the surface and the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into an open position, and when the lift platform moves to the upper position, the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into a closed position.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a loading dock lift that includes a lift platform that can be raised and lowered. The safety barrier includes a sleeve attached to the lift platform extending along a vertical axis. The sleeve includes guides to define open and closed positions of said gate and said shaft includes a pin that interacts with the guides to produce rotation of said gate between open and closed positions. Consequently each embodiment gate automatically closes due to gravity whenever the lift is raised off the ground and thereby assures that that gates are locked in position when the lift platform has been raised a short distance.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a loading dock lift that includes a lift platform that can be raised and lowered. The safety barrier includes a sleeve attached to the lift platform extending along a vertical axis. The sleeve includes guides to define open and closed positions of said gate and said shaft includes a pin that interacts with the guides to produce rotation of said gate between open and closed positions. Consequently each embodiment gate automatically closes due to gravity whenever the lift is raised off the ground and thereby assures that that gates are locked in position when the lift platform has been raised a short distance.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a loading dock lift that includes a lift platform that can be raised and lowered. The safety barrier includes a sleeve attached to the lift platform extending along a vertical axis. The sleeve includes guides to define open and closed positions of said gate and said shaft includes a pin that interacts with the guides to produce rotation of said gate between open and closed positions. Consequently each embodiment gate automatically closes due to gravity whenever the lift is raised off the ground and thereby assures that that gates are locked in position when the lift platform has been raised a short distance.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a torch head, a pre-flow gas conduit for directing a pre-flow gas through the plasma arc torch, at least one plasma gas conduit for directing a plasma gas through the plasma arc torch, and a gas control device. The pre-flow gas conduit and the plasma gas conduit extend into a proximal end portion of the torch head. The gas control device is disposed proximate the torch head and extends between a distal end portion of the pre-flow gas conduit and a distal end portion of the plasma gas conduit. The gas control device is operatively connected to each of the pre-flow gas conduit and the plasma gas conduit. The gas control device selectively allows one of the pilot gas and the plasma gas to flow through the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a tip having an improved life. The tip defines a first set of fluid passageways, a second set of fluid passageways and an internal cavity in fluid communication with the first and second fluid passageways. The internal cavity includes a base portion disposed proximate and surrounding a central orifice of the tip. A first set of fluid passageways allow for entry of a cooling fluid into the tip and a second set of fluid passageways allow for exit of the cooling fluid from the tip.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an electrode, a tip, a third element, and a secondary power circuit. The electrode is disposed within the plasma arc torch and adapted for electrical connection to a cathodic side of a power supply. The tip is positioned distally from the electrode and adapted for electrical connection to an anodic side of the power supply during piloting. A plasma chamber is formed between the electrode and the tip. The third element is disposed near a proximal end of the plasma chamber. The secondary power circuit is disposed proximate the plasma arc torch and in electrical communication with the third element. The secondary power circuit is configured to generate a high voltage pulse on the third element using input to secondary power circuit to initiate a first arc to start the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A shield device for a plasma arc torch includes an inner shield member defining an inner auxiliary gas chamber and an outer shield member surrounding the inner shield member. An outer auxiliary gas chamber is defined between the inner shield member and outer shield member. The shield device allows an auxiliary gas flow to be split into a first flow of auxiliary gas through the inner auxiliary gas chamber and a second flow of auxiliary gas through the outer auxiliary gas chamber. The inner shield member and the outer shield member are configured to be mounted to the plasma arc torch as an integral unit.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a tip having an improved life. The tip defines a first set of fluid passageways, a second set of fluid passageways and an internal cavity in fluid communication with the first and second fluid passageways. The internal cavity includes a base portion disposed proximate and surrounding a central orifice of the tip. A first set of fluid passageways allow for entry of a cooling fluid into the tip and a second set of fluid passageways allow for exit of the cooling fluid from the tip.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a tip having an improved life. The tip defines a first set of fluid passageways, a second set of fluid passageways and an internal cavity in fluid communication with the first and second fluid passageways. The internal cavity includes a base portion disposed proximate and surrounding a central orifice of the tip. A first set of fluid passageways allow for entry of a cooling fluid into the tip and a second set of fluid passageways allow for exit of the cooling fluid from the tip.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc torch includes a conductive body and a plurality of emissive inserts. The conductive body includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a cavity extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The distal end portion defines a distal end face. The plurality of emissive inserts extend through the distal end face. The conductive body further defines a dimple extending into the distal end face and at least partially into the emissive inserts. The dimple is positioned concentrically about a centerline of the conductive body.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a torch head, a pre-flow gas conduit for directing a pre-flow gas through the plasma arc torch, at least one plasma gas conduit for directing a plasma gas through the plasma arc torch, and a gas control device. The pre-flow gas conduit and the plasma gas conduit extend into a proximal end portion of the torch head. The gas control device is disposed proximate the torch head and extends between a distal end portion of the pre-flow gas conduit and a distal end portion of the plasma gas conduit. The gas control device is operatively connected to each of the pre-flow gas conduit and the plasma gas conduit. The gas control device selectively allows one of the pilot gas and the plasma gas to flow through the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc torch includes a conductive body and a plurality of emissive inserts. The conductive body includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a cavity extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The distal end portion defines a distal end face. The plurality of emissive inserts extend through the distal end face. The conductive body further defines a dimple extending into the distal end face and at least partially into the emissive inserts. The dimple is positioned concentrically about a centerline of the conductive body.

Abstract: A shield device for a plasma arc torch includes an inner shield member defining an inner auxiliary gas chamber and an outer shield member surrounding the inner shield member. An outer auxiliary gas chamber is defined between the inner shield member and outer shield member. The shield device allows an auxiliary gas flow to be split into a first flow of auxiliary gas through the inner auxiliary gas chamber and a second flow of auxiliary gas through the outer auxiliary gas chamber. The inner shield member and the outer shield member are configured to be mounted to the plasma arc torch as an integral unit.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc torch is provided by the teachings of the present disclosure. In one form, the electrode includes a conductive body, a plurality of deformed emissive inserts, and a dimple. In one form, the plurality of emissive inserts are concentrically nested about the centerline of the conductive body, and the dimple is positioned concentrically about a centerline of the conductive body. The plurality of emissive inserts and the dimple increase the life of the electrode.

Abstract: A shield device for a plasma arc torch includes an inner shield member defining an inner auxiliary gas chamber and an outer shield member surrounding the inner shield member. An outer auxiliary gas chamber is defined between the inner shield member and outer shield member. The shield device allows an auxiliary gas flow to be split into a first flow of auxiliary gas through the inner auxiliary gas chamber and a second flow of auxiliary gas through the outer auxiliary gas chamber. The inner shield member and the outer shield member are configured to be mounted to the plasma arc torch as an integral unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes forming a conductive body to define a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a distal end face disposed at the distal end portion, a central cavity, and a central protrusion disposed within the central cavity near the distal end portion. A plurality of emissive inserts are inserted through the distal end face and into the central protrusion. The plurality of emissive inserts are pressed into the central protrusion and both a proximal end portion of the central protrusion and the plurality of emissive inserts are deformed such that the plurality of emissive inserts extend radially and outwardly from the distal end portion at an angle relative to the distal end portion.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an electrode, a tip, a third element, and a secondary power circuit. The electrode is disposed within the plasma arc torch and adapted for electrical connection to a cathodic side of a power supply. The tip is positioned distally from the electrode and adapted for electrical connection to an anodic side of the power supply during piloting. A plasma chamber is formed between the electrode and the tip. The third element is disposed near a proximal end of the plasma chamber. The secondary power circuit is disposed proximate the plasma arc torch and in electrical communication with the third element. The secondary power circuit is configured to generate a high voltage pulse on the third element using input to secondary power circuit to initiate a first arc to start the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a tip having an improved life. The tip defines a first set of fluid passageways, a second set of fluid passageways and an internal cavity in fluid communication with the first and second fluid passageways. The internal cavity includes a base portion disposed proximate and surrounding a central orifice of the tip. A first set of fluid passageways allow for entry of a cooling fluid into the tip and a second set of fluid passageways allow for exit of the cooling fluid from the tip.