Abstract: Plasma cutting apparatus (10) for use in cutting a material (M). A torch (12) cuts the material. A control unit (14) controls the cutting operation performed by the torch and includes a control module (16) in which the control unit is housed. At least one power unit (18) supplies power to the cutting torch, the application of this power being controlled by the control unit. Each power unit includes a power module (24) in which the power unit is housed. A cooling unit (54) for cooling the torch is also available. The cooling unit includes a cooling module (56). The control module, power module(s), and coolant module are removably stackable one on top of the other.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch having new electronic circuit concepts wherein main current regulated power means regulates the pilot current prior to main arc transfer. Further, the circuit may contain two inductors to which DC current initially flows but is interrupted upon main arc transfer such that one inductor maintains the pilot arc while the current in the second inductor forces the establishment of the transferred arc. Also, advantages are presented in pulsing the cutting arc as well as pulsing the pilot arc.

Abstract: A localized cooling apparatus is provided for individually cooling integrated circuit chips mounted on a circuit board for insertion into a computer backplane. The cooling apparatus consists of a circuit board occupying a first slot and having an integrated circuit chip mounted thereon, the performance of which is known to improve by cooling, a heat removal assembly consisting of a heat sink attached to a card edge portion and occupying an adjacent second slot, and a thermoelectric cooler intimately bonded to both the chip and heat removal assembly. A controller provides power via the connector of the second slot to the thermoelectric cooler and stabilizes the temperature of the chip to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch having new electronic circuit concepts wherein main current regulated power means regulates the pilot current prior to main arc transfer. Further, the circuit may contain two inductors to which DC current initially flows but is interrupted upon main arc transfer such that one inductor maintains the pilot arc while the current in the second inductor forces the establishment of the transferred arc. Also, advantages are presented in pulsing the cutting arc as well as pulsing the pilot arc.