Abstract: A high-pressure liquid jet cutting system can include a hopper configured to contain an abrasive mixture that includes abrasive and an additive, and a cutting head configured to receive the abrasive mixture from the hopper and introduce the abrasive mixture into a high-pressure liquid jet. The system can further include a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the abrasive mixture associated with the additive, and one or more processors operably connected to the sensor and configured to determine information about the abrasive based, at least in part, on the detected characteristic. The one or more processors can be configured to adjust or otherwise control operation of one or more components of the high-pressure liquid jet cutting system based, at least in part, on the information to, e.g., improve or optimize system performance.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch system comprising a plasma arc torch is provided. The torch includes an electrode, a nozzle, a vent passage and a shield. The nozzle is spaced from the electrode to define a plasma chamber therebetween. The plasma chamber is configured to receive a plasma gas. The vent passage, disposed in the nozzle body, is configured to divert a portion of the plasma gas exiting the plasma chamber from a nozzle exit orifice. The shield is spaced from the nozzle to define a flow region therebetween. The flow region is configured to (i) receive a liquid and (ii) expel the liquid along with a plasma arc substantially surrounded by the liquid via a shield exit orifice.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch system comprising a plasma arc torch is provided. The torch includes an electrode, a nozzle, a vent passage and a shield. The nozzle is spaced from the electrode to define a plasma chamber therebetween. The plasma chamber is configured to receive a plasma gas. The vent passage, disposed in the nozzle body, is configured to divert a portion of the plasma gas exiting the plasma chamber from a nozzle exit orifice. The shield is spaced from the nozzle to define a flow region therebetween. The flow region is configured to (i) receive a liquid and (ii) expel the liquid along with a plasma arc substantially surrounded by the liquid via a shield exit orifice.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch system comprising a plasma arc torch is provided. The torch includes an electrode, a nozzle, a vent passage and a shield. The nozzle is spaced from the electrode to define a plasma chamber therebetween. The plasma chamber is configured to receive a plasma gas. The vent passage, disposed in the nozzle body, is configured to divert a portion of the plasma gas exiting the plasma chamber from a nozzle exit orifice. The shield is spaced from the nozzle to define a flow region therebetween. The flow region is configured to (i) receive a liquid and (ii) expel the liquid along with a plasma arc substantially surrounded by the liquid via a shield exit orifice.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch system comprising a plasma arc torch is provided. The torch includes an electrode, a nozzle, a vent passage and a shield. The nozzle is spaced from the electrode to define a plasma chamber therebetween. The plasma chamber is configured to receive a plasma gas. The vent passage, disposed in the nozzle body, is configured to divert a portion of the plasma gas exiting the plasma chamber from a nozzle exit orifice. The shield is spaced from the nozzle to define a flow region therebetween. The flow region is configured to (i) receive a liquid and (ii) expel the liquid along with a plasma arc substantially surrounded by the liquid via a shield exit orifice.