Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Eickhoff
Stephen T. Eickhoff 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: 20230271268Abstract: An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body is provided. The adapter includes a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body. The at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity. The engagement of the switch is adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Yu Zhang, Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia, Brett Hansen
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Patent number: 11684995Abstract: An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body is provided. The adapter includes a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body. The at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity. The engagement of the switch is adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Yu Zhang, Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia, Brett Hansen
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Patent number: 11432393Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a plasma arc torch is provided. The consumable cartridge includes an outer component defining a substantially hollow body, an inner component disposed substantially within the hollow body of the outer component, and a hollow region between the rear portion of the inner component and the outer component. The inner component includes a forward portion configured to axially secure and rotatatably engage the outer component to the inner component and a rear portion substantially suspended within the hollow body of the outer component. The rear portion is axially secured and rotatably engaged with the outer component via the forward portion. The hollow region is configured to receive a torch head to enable mating between the rear portion of the inner component and a cathode of the torch head.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: HYPERTHERM, INC.Inventors: Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Eric Streit, Brandon Mason, Dennis Kulakowski
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Publication number: 20210136905Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a plasma arc torch includes a cartridge frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the second end including a plurality of discrete retaining features. The consumable cartridge includes an electrically conductive contact element secured to the cartridge frame by the plurality of discrete retaining features and translatable up to a predetermined distance within the cartridge frame along the longitudinal axis at the second end, the contact element having a core, a proximal surface, and a distal surface. The proximal surface is shaped to contact a torch plunger of the plasma arc torch upon installation into the plasma arc torch and the distal surface is shaped to contact an electrode of the plasma arc torch during an operation of the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Zheng Duan, Michael Scheller, David Agan, Steven Moody, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia
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Patent number: 10912183Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a plasma arc torch includes a cartridge frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the second end including a plurality of discrete retaining features. The consumable cartridge includes an electrically conductive contact element secured to the cartridge frame by the plurality of discrete retaining features and translatable up to a predetermined distance within the cartridge frame along the longitudinal axis at the second end, the contact element having a core, a proximal surface, and a distal surface. The proximal surface is shaped to contact a torch plunger of the plasma arc torch upon installation into the plasma arc torch and the distal surface is shaped to contact an electrode of the plasma arc torch during an operation of the plasma arc torch.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Zheng Duan, Michael Scheller, David Agan, Steven Moody, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia
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Publication number: 20210029814Abstract: An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body is provided. The adapter includes a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body. The at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity. The engagement of the switch is adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Yu Zhang, Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia, Brett Hansen
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Publication number: 20200077504Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a plasma arc torch is provided. The consumable cartridge includes an outer component defining a substantially hollow body, an inner component disposed substantially within the hollow body of the outer component, and a hollow region between the rear portion of the inner component and the outer component. The inner component includes a forward portion configured to axially secure and rotatatably engage the outer component to the inner component and a rear portion substantially suspended within the hollow body of the outer component. The rear portion is axially secured and rotatably engaged with the outer component via the forward portion. The hollow region is configured to receive a torch head to enable mating between the rear portion of the inner component and a cathode of the torch head.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Eric Streit, Brandon Mason, Dennis Kulakowski
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Patent number: 10335888Abstract: A swirl ring for a plasma arc torch includes a body configured to at least partially surround and slidingly engage an electrode of the plasma arc torch. The body includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one protuberance extending from the second end in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The at least one protuberance is configured to engage a switch of the plasma arc torch for sensing a presence of a swirl ring in the plasma arc torch.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Zheng Duan, Michael Scheller, David Agan, Steven Moody, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia
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Publication number: 20180257164Abstract: A swirl ring for a plasma arc torch includes a body configured to at least partially surround and slidingly engage an electrode of the plasma arc torch. The body includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one protuberance extending from the second end in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The at least one protuberance is configured to engage a switch of the plasma arc torch for sensing a presence of a swirl ring in the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Zheng Duan, Michael Scheller, David Agan, Steven Moody, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia
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Publication number: 20180228013Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a plasma arc torch includes a cartridge frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the second end including a plurality of discrete retaining features. The consumable cartridge includes an electrically conductive contact element secured to the cartridge frame by the plurality of discrete retaining features and translatable up to a predetermined distance within the cartridge frame along the longitudinal axis at the second end, the contact element having a core, a proximal surface, and a distal surface. The proximal surface is shaped to contact a torch plunger of the plasma arc torch upon installation into the plasma arc torch and the distal surface is shaped to contact an electrode of the plasma arc torch during an operation of the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Yu Zhang, Jesse A. Roberts, Zheng Duan, Michael Scheller, David Agan, Steven Moody, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia
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Patent number: 9908195Abstract: A plasma cutting system is provided. The system includes a power source configured to generate a plasma arc, and a plasma arc torch connected to the power source for delivering the plasma arc to a workpiece. The plasma arc torch defines a multi-function fluid flow path for sustaining the plasma arc and cooling the plasma arc torch such that the plasma cutting system has a power-to-gas flow ratio of at least 2 kilowatts per cubic feet per minute (KW/cfm). The power-to-gas flow ratio comprises a ratio of power of the generated plasma arc to a total gas flow supplied to the plasma arc torch.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Roberts, Shreyansh Patel, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Justin Gullotta, Qinghua Liu, Dennis M. Borowy, Zheng Duan, Ashok V. Retnaswamy, Sung Je Kim
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Patent number: 9736918Abstract: A swirl ring component of a contact start plasma arc torch is provided. The swirl ring component includes a hollow body formed of a front portion and a rear portion along a longitudinal axis and defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. The swirl ring component also includes one or more gas passageways extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface in the front portion of the hollow body and a resilient element disposed relative to the interior surface in the rear portion of the hollow body and configured to pass at least a pilot arc current to an electrode body. The swirl ring component further includes a shoulder portion configured to retain the resilient element in the hollow body.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse A. Roberts
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Publication number: 20170042015Abstract: A swirl ring component of a contact start plasma arc torch is provided. The swirl ring component includes a hollow body formed of a front portion and a rear portion along a longitudinal axis and defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. The swirl ring component also includes one or more gas passageways extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface in the front portion of the hollow body and a resilient element disposed relative to the interior surface in the rear portion of the hollow body and configured to pass at least a pilot arc current to an electrode body. The swirl ring component further includes a shoulder portion configured to retain the resilient element in the hollow body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse A. Roberts
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Publication number: 20150343554Abstract: A plasma cutting system is provided. The system includes a power source configured to generate a plasma arc, and a plasma arc torch connected to the power source for delivering the plasma arc to a workpiece. The plasma arc torch defines a multi-function fluid flow path for sustaining the plasma arc and cooling the plasma arc torch such that the plasma cutting system has a power-to-gas flow ratio of at least 2 kilowatts per cubic feet per minute (KW/cfm). The power-to-gas flow ratio comprises a ratio of power of the generated plasma arc to a total gas flow supplied to the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Jesse A. Roberts, Shreyansh Patel, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Justin Gullotta, Qinghua Liu, Dennis M. Borowy, Zheng Duan, Ashok V. Retnaswamy, Sung Je Kim
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Patent number: 8546718Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. A resilient element, contacting a proximal end of the electrode body, is used for imparting a separation force to the electrode body. The electrode body is adapted to overcome the separation force and engage a contact element of the torch when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse Roberts
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Patent number: 8541712Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. The electrode and torch can include a contact element having a first surface in electrical communication with the power contact and a second surface characterized by (i) physical contact with the electrode body during transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode body during initiation of a pilot arc.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse Roberts
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Publication number: 20120152912Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. A resilient element, contacting a proximal end of the electrode body, is used for imparting a separation force to the electrode body. The electrode body is adapted to overcome the separation force and engage a contact element of the torch when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse Roberts
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Publication number: 20120152913Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. The electrode and torch can include a contact element having a first surface in electrical communication with the power contact and a second surface characterized by (i) physical contact with the electrode body during transferred arc mode and (ii) absence of physical contact with the electrode body during initiation of a pilot arc.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse Roberts
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Patent number: 8115136Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. A resilient element is used for passing substantially all of a pilot arc current between a power supply, a power connection in electrical communication with the power supply, and the electrode body during pilot arc operation of the plasma arc torch. The electrode and torch can include a contact element having a first surface in electrical communication with the power contact and a second surface for physical contact and electrical communication with a corresponding contact surface of the electrode body for passing substantially all of a transferred arc current between the power supply and the electrode body during transferred arc mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Jesse Roberts
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Patent number: 8101882Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a bore defined by and disposed in the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the bore. The insert and/or the bore of the electrode are configured to improve retention of the insert in the electrode, thereby extending electrode life. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode. The method includes a step of positioning an insert into a bore of an electrode such that an exterior gap is established that is greater than a second gap.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, David J. Cook, David L. Bouthillier, John Sobr, Stephen T. Eickhoff