Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing an adaptive immune response against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a subject. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises a vaccine comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Cutting or welding torch component comprising a ridge (8) forming a thread for connecting the component to other parts of the cutting or welding torch, the thread having a pressure flank (81, 91), a clearance flank (82, 92), a root flat (84, 94) and a crest flat (83, 93), wherein—the angle included by the pressure flank (81, 91) and clearance flank (82, 92) is 60° or less, —the angle ? included by the pressure flank (81, 91) and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10, 20, 30) of the thread is 40° to 50°, —the angle ? included by the clearance flank (82, 92) and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10, 20, 30) of the thread is 0° to 20°, and—the height (VZ) of the ridge (8) is 0.4 times the pitch of the thread or less.

Abstract: A nozzle for a plasma arc torch has a longitudinal nozzle axis, a nozzle orifice with a generally cylindrical orifice sidewall centered on the nozzle axis, and an orifice inlet that is formed as a surface of rotation about the nozzle axis; a gas-directing surface may also be provided. The orifice inlet has a variably-curved surface generated by rotating a variably-curved element about the nozzle axis, where the variably-curved element can be a portion of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola, and can join to the orifice sidewall and to the gas-directing surface, if provided. Both the orifice sidewall and the gas directing surface can each join the variably-curved element in a substantially tangential manner. Using an elliptical contour for the orifice inlet was found to increase stability for the plasma arc, providing improved cut quality and faster cutting speed for the torch.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly for supplying electrical power to an electrode of a contact-start plasma arc torch has two conductive elements biased by a compression spring. The conductive elements are provided with mating structures that are defined by parallel surfaces that can be slidably engaged with each other. The conductive elements are configured to engage the spring such that positioning the mating structures to slidably engage each other generates an off-axis force in the spring that biases the mating structures together along at least one line of contact to assure an electrically conductive path through the mating structures from one conductive element to the other. One conductive element is a static element that is positioned against a power supplying element of the torch, while the other is a movable element that engages or is attached to the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Abstract: An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Abstract: An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle for a plasma arc torch is provided with a distal region sidewall formed by rotation of a variably curved element about a nozzle axis. The distal region sidewall has an inclination to the nozzle axis that increases at an increasing rate as it approached a nozzle terminal plane that terminates an orifice of the nozzle. The distal region sidewall is substantially tangent to the nozzle terminal plane where it intersect the same. The desired curvature can be formed by rotation of a portion of an ellipse or parabola. The curvature of the distal region sidewall appears to draw a portion of the shield gas along the nozzle to provide improved cooling and greater stability to the plasma arc, which can improve the quality of cuts made by the arc and can increase nozzle life.

Abstract: A nozzle for a plasma arc torch has a longitudinal nozzle axis, a nozzle orifice with a generally cylindrical orifice sidewall centered on the nozzle axis, and an orifice inlet that is formed as a surface of rotation about the nozzle axis; a gas-directing surface may also be provided. The orifice inlet has a variably-curved surface generated by rotating a variably-curved element about the nozzle axis, where the variably-curved element can be a portion of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola, and can join to the orifice sidewall and to the gas-directing surface, if provided. Both the orifice sidewall and the gas directing surface can each join the variably-curved element in a substantially tangential manner. Using an elliptical contour for the orifice inlet was found to increase stability for the plasma arc, providing improved cut quality and faster cutting speed for the torch.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly for supplying electrical power to an electrode of a contact-start plasma arc torch has two conductive elements biased by a compression spring. The conductive elements are provided with mating structures that are defined by parallel surfaces that can be slidably engaged with each other. The conductive elements are configured to engage the spring such that positioning the mating structures to slidably engage each other generates an off-axis force in the spring that biases the mating structures together along at least one line of contact to assure an electrically conductive path through the mating structures from one conductive element to the other. One conductive element is a static element that is positioned against a power supplying element of the torch, while the other is a movable element that engages or is attached to the electrode.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch conducts electrical current to an electrode through mating structures provided on two conductive elements. The mating structures are defined by sidewalls that are parallel to an assembly axis, and are configured to translatably engage each other, but are blocked from rotating with respect to each other. A compression and torsion spring serves to bias the conductive elements apart to bias the electrode to a forward position, and to apply a torsional load to the mating structures to maintain their sidewalls in contact. The mating structures can be provided by a shaped recess in one conductive element and a corresponding shaped protrusion extending from the other element. The spring can be secured to the conductive elements to maintain the components of the power transfer assembly together when the torch in which they are employed is disassembled.

Abstract: An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Abstract: An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch conducts electrical current to an electrode through mating structures provided on two conductive elements. The mating structures are defined by sidewalls that are parallel to an assembly axis, and are configured to translatably engage each other, but are blocked from rotating with respect to each other. A compression and torsion spring serves to bias the conductive elements apart to bias the electrode to a forward position, and to apply a torsional load to the mating structures to maintain their sidewalls in contact. The mating structures can be provided by a shaped recess in one conductive element and a corresponding shaped protrusion extending from the other element. The spring can be secured to the conductive elements to maintain the components of the power transfer assembly together when the torch in which they are employed is disassembled.

Abstract: A nozzle for a plasma arc torch is provided with a distal region sidewall formed by rotation of a variably curved element about a nozzle axis. The distal region sidewall has an inclination to the nozzle axis that increases at an increasing rate as it approached a nozzle terminal plane that terminates an orifice of the nozzle. The distal region sidewall is substantially tangent to the nozzle terminal plane where it intersect the same. The desired curvature can be formed by rotation of a portion of an ellipse or parabola. The curvature of the distal region sidewall appears to draw a portion of the shield gas along the nozzle to provide improved cooling and greater stability to the plasma arc, which can improve the quality of cuts made by the arc and can increase nozzle life.