Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Kinerson
Kevin J. Kinerson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7145098Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a set of torch consumable components secured to a torch head, wherein a supply of cooling fluid flows coaxially through the torch to cool torch components and a supply of plasma gas and secondary gas flows through the torch to generate and stabilize a plasma stream for operations such as cutting workpieces. The torch consumable components, in part, comprise an electrode and a tip that include a variety of configurations for improved cooling, electrical contact, and attachment to adjacent torch components. Further, a consumables cartridge is provided for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components. Additionally, methods of operating the plasma arc torch at relatively high current levels are also provided by the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: 7019254Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a set of torch consumable components secured to a torch head, wherein a supply of cooling fluid flows coaxially through the torch to cool torch components and a supply of plasma gas and secondary gas flows through the torch to generate and stabilize a plasma stream for operations such as cutting workpieces. The torch consumable components, in part, comprise an electrode and a tip that include a variety of configurations for improved cooling, electrical contact, and attachment to adjacent torch components. Further, a consumables cartridge is provided for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components. Additionally, methods of operating the plasma arc torch at relatively high current levels are also provided by the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: 7005600Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a set of torch consumable components secured to a torch head, wherein a supply of cooling fluid flows coaxially through the torch to cool torch components and a supply of plasma gas and secondary gas flows through the torch to generate and stabilize a plasma stream for operations such as cutting workpieces. The torch consumable components, in part, comprise an electrode and a tip that include a variety of configurations for improved cooling, electrical contact, and attachment to adjacent torch components. Further, a consumables cartridge is provided for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components. Additionally, methods of operating the plasma arc torch at relatively high current levels are also provided by the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: 6998566Abstract: A variety of electrodes for use in a plasma arc torch are provided that improve cooling between the electrode and an adjacent cathodic element such as a cathode. At least one passageway is formed between the electrode and the cathode for the flow of a fluid, e.g. cooling fluid, wherein the flow of the fluid is proximate, or through an adjacent vicinity of, electrical contact between the cathode and the electrode. The passageway is formed through the electrode, through the cathode, between the electrode and the cathode, and through a third element in the various forms of the present invention. Further, methods of operating a plasma arc torch using the electrodes according to the various forms of the invention are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Publication number: 20060016789Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a set of torch consumable components secured to a torch head, wherein a supply of cooling fluid flows coaxially through the torch to cool torch components and a supply of plasma gas and secondary gas flows through the torch to generate and stabilize a plasma stream for operations such as cutting workpieces. The torch consumable components, in part, comprise an electrode and a tip that include a variety of configurations for improved cooling, electrical contact, and attachment to adjacent torch components. Further, a consumables cartridge is provided for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components. Additionally, methods of operating the plasma arc torch at relatively high current levels are also provided by the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: 6989505Abstract: A consumables cartridge for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a cartridge body and at least one other consumable component such as a tip or an electrode, for example. The consumables cartridge provides for ease of use and replacement of the torch consumable components by replacing the consumables cartridge when consumable components require replacement rather than replacing consumable components individually or one at a time. Further, methods of installing, removing, and replacing the consumables cartridge are also provided by the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: 6946616Abstract: A cooling system for a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a coaxial fluid flow that improves cooling of components within the plasma arc torch and that provides a more compact torch design. The coaxial fluid flow, namely, the cooling fluid flow, is distributed circumferentially about the central longitudinal axis of the torch and is flowing in the same direction at any radial location from the central longitudinal axis. The cooling fluid flows distally towards the consumable components, then proximally towards the torch head, then distally again, and then proximally again for recirculation. Additionally, both the plasma gas flow and the secondary gas flow are also flowing coaxially in addition to the cooling fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Christopher J. Conway, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: 6919526Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises torch head connections that are made between consumable components and a torch head independent of rotational alignment of the consumable components. Accordingly, connections for the flow of a cooling fluid, plasma gas, and/or a secondary gas are made independent of rotational alignment. Additionally, electrical connections are also provided that are independent of rotational alignment of the various plasma arc torch components.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Kinerson, Christopher J. Conway, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: 6852944Abstract: Plasma arc torches are provided that include a mounting for an electrode and a coolant tube telescopingly mounted on the plasma arc torch to engage and deliver coolant to electrodes of different sizes mounted in the mounting. The telescopingly mounted coolant tube may extend to a closed position in which coolant does not flow when no electrode is mounted in the mounting. The telescopingly mounted coolant tube may further be used to electrically connect a cathodic member with the electrode mounted in the mounting.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Mark Gugliotta, Kevin J. Kinerson
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Publication number: 20040200809Abstract: Plasma arc torches are provided that include a mounting for an electrode and a coolant tube telescopingly mounted on the plasma arc torch to engage and deliver coolant to electrodes of different sizes mounted in the mounting. The telescopingly mounted coolant tube may extend to a closed position in which coolant does not flow when no electrode is mounted in the mounting. The telescopingly mounted coolant tube may further be used to electrically connect a cathodic member with the electrode mounted in the mounting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Mark Gugliotta, Kevin J. Kinerson
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Publication number: 20040094519Abstract: A variety of electrodes for use in a plasma arc torch are provided that improve cooling between the electrode and an adjacent cathodic element such as a cathode. At least one passageway is formed between the electrode and the cathode for the flow of a fluid, e.g. cooling fluid, wherein the flow of the fluid is proximate, or through an adjacent vicinity of, electrical contact between the cathode and the electrode. The passageway is formed through the electrode, through the cathode, between the electrode and the cathode, and through a third element in the various forms of the present invention. Further, methods of operating a plasma arc torch using the electrodes according to the various forms of the invention are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Publication number: 20040079735Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that comprises torch head connections that are made between consumable components and a torch head independent of rotational alignment of the consumable components. Accordingly, connections for the flow of a cooling fluid, plasma gas, and/or a secondary gas are made independent of rotational alignment. Additionally, electrical connections are also provided that are independent of rotational alignment of the various plasma arc torch components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Kevin J. Kinerson, Christopher J. Conway, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D505963Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Milind G. Kelkar, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D517576Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D517577Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D519135Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D524336Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta, Darrin H. MacKenzie
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Patent number: D535672Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: D536009Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Darrin H. MacKenzie, Christopher J. Conway, Kevin J. Kinerson, Mark Gugliotta
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Patent number: D493682Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Thermal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Joseph P. Jones, Kevin Horner-Richardson, Roger W. Hewett, Kevin J. Kinerson