Abstract: A portable gas torch has a metal burner tube defining a gas flow passage through which gas is adapted to flow. An igniter wire in the gas flow passage generates a spark to ignite gas flowing through the passage. The torch has a wire holder for positioning the igniter wire in the gas flow passage and a flame holder downstream from the wire holder. The wire holder comprises a central hub having an axial bore and at least one spacer on the hub for contacting an inside wall of the burner tube to position the hub at a predetermined radial location in the gas flow passage. The axial bore is sized to enable the wire to be held at a selected location downstream from the hub. The wire holder comprises a dielectric material to allow a spark to jump to the inside wall of the burner tube.

Abstract: A cutting torch allows the preheat oxygen and fuel valves to remain in a preset position while the torch is off. The cutting torch has preheat oxygen and fuel cutoff valves mounted in line with the adjusting valves. The cutoff valves are both operated linearly, each having an axially moving plunger. An actuator simultaneously moves the cutoff valves between opened and closed positions. The actuator has a locking device to lock them in the opened and closed positions. A pilot flame igniter utilizes a piezoelectric crystal and a pilot fuel valve positioned side by side with parallel axes. An igniter actuator in a single stroke opens the pilot fuel valve and causes an electrical spark to ignite the pilot flame.

Abstract: In a torch which uses oxygen and a fuel gas, a first flashback assembly and a second flashback assembly are formed as an integral part of the torch handle. Each flashback assembly includes three primary components as follows: a porous metal flashback arrestor, a retainer and a check valve subassembly. In the preferred embodiment, the porous metal flashback arrestor is mounted on one end of the retainer and the check valve subassembly is held in the other end. In an alternative embodiment, the check valve subassembly is positioned on the interior of the porous metal flashback arrestor. Each flashback assembly can be easily removed and replaced during periodic reconditioning of the torch. The flashback assemblies utilize a parts-in-place principle which precludes operation of the torch unless both flashback assemblies are installed in the torch handle. The porous metal flashback arrestor is designed to reduce the possibility of migration of a flashback upstream from the torch.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator for regulating the output pressure of a gas from a pressurized gas cylinder includes a flashback assembly disposed at the gas outlet of the pressure regulator. The flashback assembly includes three primary components as follows: a porous metal flashback arrestor, a retainer, and a check valve sub-assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the porous metal flashback arrestor is mounted on one end of the retainer and the check valve sub-assembly is disposed within the retainer adjacent the metal flashback arrestor. The flashback assembly can be easily removed and replaced. The porous metal flashback arrestor is designed to reduce the possibility of migration of a flashback upstream from the torch and hose into the pressure regulator. The check valve sub-assembly is designed to reduce the possibility of reverse flow of gas upstream from the hose into the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A cutting torch allows the preheat oxygen and fuel valves to remain in a preset position while the torch is off. The cutting torch has preheat oxygen and fuel cutoff valves mounted in line with the adjusting valves. The cutoff valves are both operated linearly, each having an axially moving plunger. An actuator simultaneously moves the cutoff valves between opened and closed positions. The actuator has a locking device to lock them in the opened and closed positions. A pilot flame igniter utilizes a piezoelectric crystal and a pilot fuel valve positioned side by side with parallel axes. An igniter actuator in a single stroke opens the pilot fuel valve and causes an electrical spark to ignite the pilot flame.

Abstract: A gas pressure reducing regulator for use with high inlet pressures is provided. The regulator includes a diaphragm plate for shielding the diaphragm from deleterious effects of flame and debris during unwanted combustion.

Abstract: A motorized hand torch with an improved brake mechanism is provided. The brake mechanism includes a brake lever which is manually actuable to either a locked or an unlocked position. The brake lever, in turn, has a cam portion thereon which moves a pivotally mounted leaf spring so as to selectively lock a mounting bracket supporting a drive wheel whereby straight line cutting may be accomplished. A circle cutting attachment is also provided which includes a means for preventing locking the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An improvement in a cutting torch assembly that obviates the tendency to have flashback and sustained burning with certain fuels, including cutting oxygen valve and passageway, preheat oxygen valve and passageway, fuel gas valve and passageway, a head having a tip end for having a tip affixed thereto and having a head passageway for cutting oxygen and a head passageway for mixture of fuel and oxygen, the improvement being characterized by an integral head mixer having within the head an incoming preheat oxygen passageway and incoming fuel passageway, a mixer insert disposed within the incoming fuel passageway and having engaging seal means for constraining the fuel to flow through the insert, the insert having a centrally disposed bore communicating at its inlet end with the incoming fuel passageway and terminating in a plurality of at least three apertured passageways that flow the fuel into intimate admixture with the preheat oxygen in the annular space thereabout.

Abstract: A cutting torch that obviates the tendency to have flashback and sustain burning yet have the inherent flexibility of injector type mixer torches, including a cutting oxygen valve and passageway, a mixing oxygen valve and passageway, a fuel gas valve and passageway, a head having a tip end and having passageways for cutting oxygen and fuel-oxygen mixture and having the improvement characterized by having the fuel-oxygen head passageway comprised of the first oxygen passageway drilled from the oxygen passageway end and in alignment with the oxygen passageway and intersecting a second oxygen passageway drilled from the tip end of the head and with a first diameter; a third fuel passageway drilled from the fuel passageway end and in alignment with the fuel passageway end and intersecting a fourth fuel and oxygen passageway drilled from the tip end in the head and communicating with the second oxygen passageway and having a common center line with the second oxygen passageway and having a second diameter larger t