Patents by Inventor Michael Hoffa
Michael Hoffa 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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Publication number: 20230419055Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 11783138Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: HYPERTHERM, INC.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Publication number: 20230311359Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatuses for altering a cutting operation during operation of the pressurized liquid jet cutting system. A pressurized liquid jet cutting system includes a pressurized fluid jet cutting head having a plurality of components. The cutting head further includes a sensor configured to sense an operating condition. The sensor transmits a value of the operating condition to a computing device, which alters a subsequent cutting operation. Further, the fluid jet cutting head is configured to work with a data storage mechanism and a reader, such that the data storage mechanism in contact with a body of the fluid jet cutting head is configured to communicate information to a reader of the pressurized liquid jet cutting system. The information is usable to determine a condition of replacement (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Marty Midura, Jason McKearney, Cedar Vandergon, Jon Lindsay, Steve Voerding, Brett Hansen, David Osterhouse, Mike Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Publication number: 20230254964Abstract: A torch head for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The torch head includes a torch body and a torch insulator, coupled to the torch body, having a substantially non-conductive insulator body. The torch insulator includes (i) a first liquid coolant channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a fluid flow from the torch head into a consumable cartridge along a first preexisting flow path, (ii) a first liquid return channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to return at least a portion of the fluid flow from the cartridge to the torch head along the first preexisting flow path, and (iii) a gas channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a first gas flow from the torch head to the cartridge along a second preexisting flow path. The first and second preexisting flow paths are fluidly isolated from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Patent number: 11665807Abstract: A torch head for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The torch head includes a torch body and a torch insulator, coupled to the torch body, having a substantially non-conductive insulator body. The torch insulator includes (i) a first liquid coolant channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a fluid flow from the torch head into a consumable cartridge along a first preexisting flow path, (ii) a first liquid return channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to return at least a portion of the fluid flow from the cartridge to the torch head along the first preexisting flow path, and (iii) a gas channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a first gas flow from the torch head to the cartridge along a second preexisting flow path. The first and second preexisting flow paths are fluidly isolated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Patent number: 11331743Abstract: In some aspects, a replaceable consumable component for performing a cutting or welding operation can include a body and a readable data storage device coupled to the body or integrated within the body, wherein the data storage device contains an operation instruction for a cutting or welding device.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, Michael Shipulski, Brett A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20220108087Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 11087100Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 10786924Abstract: A pressurized fluid jet cutting head is provided. The cutting head includes a body having one or more component parts coupled together, wherein a junction in the cutting head is defined between a first component part having a first engagement surface and a second component part having a second engagement surface, wherein the first and second engagement surfaces abut at the junction. A temperature sensor is positioned in thermal communication with the body and is configured to measure a temperature value of at least one of the first component part, the second component part, and the junction. The temperature value is communicated to a controller for analysis, wherein the controller receives the measured temperature value and communicates operating instructions for the cutting head based on a comparison of the measured temperature value to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Cedar Vandergon, David Osterhouse, Edward M. Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Publication number: 20200293727Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 10736204Abstract: A hand-held plasma power tool is provided, which includes a hand-held housing, a plasma delivery tip section at least partially disposed within the housing for delivering a plasma arc to a workpiece, an air compressor disposed within the housing for providing a gas to the plasma delivery tip section, and a power source disposed within the housing for providing a current to at least one of the air compressor or the plasma delivery tip section. The hand-held plasma power tool further comprises a handle section defined by at least a portion of the housing. The handle section is configured to enable an operator to manipulate the plasma power tool by hand while delivering the plasma arc to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Roberts, Michael Scheller, Michael Hoffa
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Patent number: 10713448Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Publication number: 20200196426Abstract: A torch head for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The torch head includes a torch body and a torch insulator, coupled to the torch body, having a substantially non-conductive insulator body. The torch insulator includes (i) a first liquid coolant channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a fluid flow from the torch head into a consumable cartridge along a first preexisting flow path, (ii) a first liquid return channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to return at least a portion of the fluid flow from the cartridge to the torch head along the first preexisting flow path, and (iii) a gas channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a first gas flow from the torch head to the cartridge along a second preexisting flow path. The first and second preexisting flow paths are fluidly isolated from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Patent number: 10609805Abstract: A torch head for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The torch head includes a torch body and a torch insulator, coupled to the torch body, having a substantially non-conductive insulator body. The torch insulator includes (i) a first liquid coolant channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a fluid flow from the torch head into a consumable cartridge along a first preexisting flow path, (ii) a first liquid return channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to return at least a portion of the fluid flow from the cartridge to the torch head along the first preexisting flow path, and (iii) a gas channel, disposed within the insulator body, configured to conduct a first gas flow from the torch head to the cartridge along a second preexisting flow path. The first and second preexisting flow paths are fluidly isolated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Publication number: 20200055138Abstract: In some aspects, a replaceable consumable component for performing a cutting or welding operation can include a body and a readable data storage device coupled to the body or integrated within the body, wherein the data storage device contains an operation instruction for a cutting or welding device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Michael Hoffa, Michael Shipulski, Brett A. Hansen
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Patent number: 10555410Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The consumable cartridge comprises a cartridge frame including a proximal end having an end surface, a distal end and a body having a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The cartridge configured to form a radio-frequency identification (RFID) interface with a torch head. The consumable cartridge also comprises an arc emitter and an arc constrictor affixed to the cartridge frame at the distal end and an RFID mounting feature formed on or in the cartridge frame adjacent to the end face. The RFID mounting feature is non-concentric with the central longitudinal axis of the body. The consumable cartridge further comprises an RFID tag disposed in or on the RFID mounting feature for transmitting information about the cartridge to a reader device in the torch head when the cartridge is connected to the torch head.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa
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Patent number: 10486260Abstract: In some aspects, a replaceable consumable component for performing a cutting or welding operation can include a body and a readable data storage device coupled to the body or integrated within the body, wherein the data storage device contains an operation instruction for a cutting or welding device.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski, Brett A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20190303629Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 10346647Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
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Patent number: 10278274Abstract: A consumable cartridge frame for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The consumable cartridge frame includes an insulator body configured to be disposed between a torch head and a cartridge tip. The consumable cartridge also includes a first cooling channel, disposed in the body, configured to conduct a first fluid flow received from the torch head to contact a component of the cartridge tip connected to the cartridge frame. The consumable cartridge further includes a first return channel, disposed in the body, configured to conduct at least a portion of the first fluid flow from the component to the torch head. The first cooling channel and the first return channel are non-concentric in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, E. Michael Shipulski, Michael Hoffa