Abstract: A wide area shield for use in a plasma cutting torch. The wide area shield has a projected surface that covers at least 75% of the distal end of the plasma cutting torch when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the torch. The wide area shield is actively cooled by at least two separate cooling flows. One possible cooling flow is liquid and contacts at least 25% of the total surface area of the wide area shield. A second possible cooling flow is gaseous and contacts at least 6% of the total surface area of the wide area shield. The increased projected area is achieved by increasing the axial length of the shield and increasing the shielding surface of the wide area shield which also allows for a thicker cross-sectional area of the wide area shield as measured perpendicularly from the shielding surfaces.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle has a nozzle body having a length that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a central bore disposed within the nozzle body along a central axis having a feed orifice at the proximal end of the nozzle body, and a discharge orifice at the distal end of the nozzle body. The central bore has a series of internal sections that transition with one or more radial edges between the feed orifice and the discharge orifice. The series of internal sections have a first section beginning at the feed orifice transitioning to a converging section transitioning at a throat to a diverging section ending at the discharge orifice. The length of the converging section is longer than a length of the diverging section. A Venturi effect is created by the converging and diverging sections of the nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle has a nozzle body having a length that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a central bore disposed within the nozzle body along a central axis having a feed orifice at the proximal end of the nozzle body, and a discharge orifice at the distal end of the nozzle body. The central bore has a series of internal sections that transition with one or more radial edges between the feed orifice and the discharge orifice. The series of internal sections have a first section beginning at the feed orifice transitioning to a converging section transitioning at a throat to a diverging section ending at the discharge orifice. The length of the converging section is longer than a length of the diverging section. A Venturi effect is created by the converging and diverging sections of the nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle has a nozzle body having a length that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a central bore disposed within the nozzle body along a central axis having a feed orifice at the proximal end of the nozzle body, and a discharge orifice at the distal end of the nozzle body. The central bore has a series of internal sections that transition with one or more radial edges between the feed orifice and the discharge orifice. The series of internal sections have a first section beginning at the feed orifice transitioning to a converging section transitioning at a throat to a diverging section ending at the discharge orifice. The length of the converging section is longer than a length of the diverging section. A Venturi effect is created by the converging and diverging sections of the nozzle.