Abstract: A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via the controller current from the power source and gas from the gas source to generate a plasma arc at an output of the plasma delivery device. The plasma arc can be used to process materials such as metallic workpieces. The plasma arc torch can include a wearable portable assembly which includes the replaceable or rechargeable power and gas source. A plasma delivery device receives current from the power source in the assembly and gas from the gas source in the assembly to generate a plasma arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gas-cooled plasma arc torch. Components of the torch can include an electrode, nozzle and a shield, each of which can be gas-cooled. The nozzle can be disposed relative to the electrode and can include a generally hollow conductive body and a cooling gas flow channel defined by at least one fin disposed about an exterior surface of the body, the body providing a thermal conductive path that transfers heat between the nozzle to the cooling gas flow channel during operation of the torch. The shield can be disposed relative to the nozzle and can include a generally hollow conductive body and a cooling gas flow channel defined by at least one fin disposed about an exterior surface of the body, the body providing a thermal conductive path that transfers heat between the shield to the cooling gas flow channel during operation of the torch.

Abstract: A contact start plasma system is provided that includes a passive pilot arc circuit that decreases the size and cost of the system. The plasma arc system includes a torch body, an electrode having a longitudinally disposed axis and mounted in the body, a nozzle having a longitudinally disposed axis, the nozzle axis being disposed substantially collinearly with the electrode axis, a power supply coupled to the electrode, the nozzle and a workpiece, the power supply providing a current for operating the torch in a pilot arc mode and a transferred arc mode, a gas source coupled to the plasma chamber, the gas source providing gas for operating in a pilot arc mode and a transferred arc mode, and a passive pilot arc circuit coupled between the power supply and the nozzle, the passive pilot arc circuit controlling the operation of the torch in the pilot arc mode. Either the electrode or the nozzle can be translatable for blow-forward or blow-back mode of operation.

Abstract: A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via the controller current from the power source and gas from the gas source to generate a plasma arc at an output of the plasma delivery device. The plasma arc can be used to process materials such as metallic workpieces. The plasma arc torch can include a wearable portable assembly which includes the replaceable or rechargeable power and gas source. A plasma delivery device receives current from the power source in the assembly and gas from the gas source in the assembly to generate a plasma arc.

Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus for using catalyst-coated hollow microspheres to produce gases, store them, and to make them available for later use. The apparatus uses catalyst-coated hollow microspheres in reversible electrochemical processes and reactions, such as those used in conjunction with water dissociation, fuel cells, and rechargeable batteries. The apparatus can be used to manufacture and store hydrogen and or oxygen and to make them available for subsequent use as raw materials for use in electrochemical and chemical reactions or as a fuel and or oxidizer for a combustion engine. The apparatus can be used as a hydrogen-oxygen hermetically seal secondary battery. The apparatus can be used as a hydrogen storage portion of certain types of secondary batteries. Hydrogen and oxygen can be stored within hollow microspheres at moderate temperature and pressure, eliminating the need for expensive storage and handling equipment, and increasing the mobility of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus for using catalyst-coated hollow microspheres to produce gases, store them, and to make them available for later use. The apparatus uses catalyst-coated hollow microspheres in reversible electrochemical processes and reactions, such as those used in conjunction with water dissociation, fuel cells, and rechargeable batteries. The apparatus can be used to manufacture and store hydrogen and or oxygen and to make them available for subsequent use as raw materials for use in electrochemical and chemical reactions or as a fuel and or oxidizer for a combustion engine. The apparatus can be used as a hydrogen-oxygen hermetically seal secondary battery. The apparatus can be used as a hydrogen storage portion of certain types of secondary batteries. Hydrogen and oxygen can be stored within hollow microspheres at moderate temperature and pressure, eliminating the need for expensive storage and handling equipment, and increasing the mobility of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and method for using a plasma arc torch to cut a workpiece in a cavity. The torch includes an adapter connectable to a torch body and remote torch head, establishing a spaced relationship between them, for positioning the torch head adjacent the workpiece in the cavity. The system includes a grounding member useful for operating the torch in a transferred mode, a clamping plate for retaining a severed portion of the workpiece, and a torch tip design that allows the torch head to be positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A metal jet cutting system, which includes a jetting heat, a heater and a power source, is used for modifying a workpiece. The jetting head includes a crucible and an inlet for receiving a feed stock of a conductive material. The heater melts the conductive material in the crucible to provide a conductive fluid, which exits the jetting head via an outlet. The power source, which is in electrical communication with the conductive fluid, increases the temperature of the conductive fluid. The conductive fluid is applied to the workpiece to modify the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting non-axisymmetric wear (i.e. grooving 22) of the orifice (12) of the nozzle (13) of a plasma arc torch (1) involves placement of a probe adjacent a plasma jet (21) that emerges from the nozzle (13) such that a number of electrically isolated elements (23) of the probe surround the jet (21) and measuring a voltage drop across an electrode (11) of the torch (1) and each probe element (23) to detect whether there is any deflection of the plasma jet (21). The presence of a groove (22) causes the jet (21) to deflect and is indicated by an increased voltage at the probe elements (23) towards which the jet is deflected and a decreased voltage at the opposite elements. The probe may be formed by segmenting a shield (17) of the torch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a plasma arc torch determines whether the nozzle (13) of the torch and an electrode (11) of the torch have suffered any erosion and distinguishes the two. The pressure of a plasma forming gas that is supplied for the torch (p.sub.1 or p.sub.n) is monitored while the torch is operating to detect erosion of the orifice (12) of the nozzle (13), and the voltage U.sub.ne between the electrode (11) and nozzle (13) is monitored, also while the torch is operating, to detect erosion of the electrode (11). A pressure, p.sub.1 or p.sub.n below a reference pressure indicative of a good (un-eroded) nozzle indicates erosion of the orifice (12), and a voltage U.sub.ne above a reference voltage indicative of a good (un-eroded) electrode indicates erosion of the electrode. The pressure measurement and U.sub.ne are compared with appropriate reference values to logically discriminate between wear of the nozzle and wear of the electrode (given that an increase in U.sub.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch has a secondary gas flow that is extremely large during piercing of a workpiece to keep splattered molten metal away from the torch and thereby prevent "double arcing". The secondary flow exits the torch immediately adjacent the transferred plasma arc and is an extremely uniform, swirling flow. A swirl ring is located in the secondary gas flow path at the exit point. A prechamber feeds gas to the swirl ring, which is in turn fed through a flow restricting orifice. For certain applications the secondary gas is a mixture of an oxidizing gas, preferably oxygen, and a non-oxidizing gas, preferably nitrogen, in a flow ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the range of 2:3 to 9:1. Preferably the flow ratio is about 2:1. A network of conduits and solenoid valves operated under the control of a central microprocessor regulates the flows of plasma gas and secondary gas and mixes the secondary gas.

Abstract: Plasma arc or laser cutting uses a mix of reactive and reducing gas flows to cut sheets of stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. The reducing gas flow to the cut varies as a percentage of the total gas flow to maintain a reducing atmosphere down through the cut, but to leave a predominantly oxidizing atmosphere at the intersection of the cut and the bottom surface of the sheet being cut. In plasma arc cutting these flows can also be characterized as either a plasma gas flow, one that forms the arc, or a shield gas flow that surrounds the arc. The reactive gas is preferably a flow of air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a combination of these gases. The reducing gas is preferably hydrogen, hydrogen 35, methane, or a mixture of these gases. For aluminum, the reactive gas is preferably air or nitrogen and the reducing gas is preferably methane or a mixture of methane and air. In laser cutting the reducing gases such as methane can be used by mixing them with reactive assist gases.

Abstract: An alignment device and method for a plasma arc torch system which corrects the position of a torch in relation to the receptacle for a successful union. The device and method mechanically align in situ electrical contacts, gas, and water conduits of the torch during a torch change. The time expended for a torch charge is reduced because the torch is self aligning to the receptacle. Minimal human interaction is required to change a torch.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch has a secondary gas flow that is extremely large during piercing of a workpiece to keep splattered molten metal away from the torch and thereby prevent "double arcing". The secondary flow exits the torch immediately adjacent the transferred plasma arc and is an extremely uniform, swirling flow. A swirl ring is located in the secondary gas flow path at the exit point. A prechamber feeds gas to the swirl ring, which is in turn fed through a flow restricting orifice. For certain applications the secondary gas is a mixture of an oxidizing gas, preferably oxygen, and a non-oxidizing gas, preferably nitrogen, in a flow ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the range of 2:3 to 9:1. Preferably the flow ratio is about 2:1. A network of conduits and solenoid valves operated under the control of a central microprocessor regulates the flows of plasma gas and secondary gas and mixes the secondary gas.