Cutting Patents (Class 219/121.39)
  • Patent number: 8153927
    Abstract: An improved torch providing high visibility of the work zone to the operator, an increased viewing angle, and a reduced obstruction angle. The high visibility torch includes consumables adapted to maintain torch and consumables performance while reducing visual obstruction to the user, by coordinating, balancing, and optimizing design requirements and stack up tolerances. The invention also includes a related low-profile safety switch that promotes workpiece visibility and minimizes view obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Twarog, Jesse A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8153924
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a monitor and/or control configured to determine a temperature of a component of the torch power unit based on the one or more inputs without a direct temperature measurement of the component. A method of operation is provided that includes receiving one or more inputs associated with a device, and estimating a temperature of the device based on the one or inputs without directly measuring temperature of the device. A tangible machine-readable medium is provided that includes code for determining a thermal capacity of the device, code for determining a thermal resistance of the device, and code for determining a temperature of the device based on thermal capacity and the thermal resistance method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Edward Gerard Beistle
  • Patent number: 8134097
    Abstract: A plasma torch having a multi-position head is disclosed. The plasma torch includes a torch body and a torch head pivotably connected thereto. Such a construction provides a single plasma torch having several head-to-handle orientations thereby providing a highly versatile plasma torch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8129655
    Abstract: An electrophoretic medium (102) comprises a plurality of capsules (104), each capsule comprising an internal phase comprising a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles (106, 108) in a gaseous suspending medium, and a capsule wall surrounding the internal phase. Various processes for producing such an electrophoretic medium are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Jacobson, Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner
  • Publication number: 20120018409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a plasma torch system having a plasma torch tip configuration that includes a nozzle, an electrode, and a control unit for controlling a composition of the shield gas flow, such that while cutting the contour the shield gas flow comprises a first shield gas composition and while cutting the hole the shield gas flow comprises a second shield gas composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon W. Lindsay, Guy T. Best
  • Publication number: 20120012564
    Abstract: A portable plasma cutting system includes a power supply and a torch attachable to the power supply. The torch generates a plasma arc for cutting a workpiece. A gas valve is disposed in the system or the torch. The gas valve establishes a gas flow rate or a gas pressure in the torch. A controller is within the system and in communication with the power supply. The controller is capable of automatically manipulating the gas valve to establish the gas flow rate or pressure based upon a predetermined operating condition. A user activated switch is in communication with the controller. The switch has a first setting which causes the controller to automatically establish the gas flow rate or pressure based upon the predetermined operating condition, and a second setting which causes the controller to establish one of a user-determined gas flow rate or a user-determined gas pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Junsong Mao, Michael Kornprobst
  • Patent number: 8089024
    Abstract: A torch spacing apparatus for a plasma or flame cutting machine includes a gantry that is guided to travel in an X axis. Mounted to the gantry is at least one carriage that is/are guided to travel in a Y axis. Mounted to each carriage are selected tooling having at least two cutting torches mounted thereon with an active cutting tool in an active cutting position. The carriage is mounted to enable tooling substitution whereby the torch spacing apparatus includes a substitution mechanism which is operatively attached to the carriage and tooling such that the said substitution mechanism is adapted to allow the position of a cutting torch or active cutting torch to be substituted with another cutting torch currently in the active position to space the torches accordingly by rotating the cutting tools about a Z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Eigen Systems Limited
    Inventor: Murray Houlton Forlong
  • Publication number: 20110309053
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting welding output and ancillary features is provided. In one embodiment, a portable generator system includes a power generator configured to generate electrical power appropriate for welding or plasma cutting. The generator system also includes power conversion circuitry coupled to the power generator and configured to receive power from the power generator and to provide output power. The generator system includes at least operator accessible input for receiving an operator input parameter. The generator system also includes an output power limiting device not adjustable by the operator and configured to selectively limit output power from the power conversion circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: George Harold Baus
  • Patent number: 8053699
    Abstract: An electrical pulse circuit is disclosed. The electrical pulse circuit is in connection with a first pair of electrodes defining a first gap between ends thereof and a second pair of electrodes defining a second gap between ends thereof. The second gap is disposed proximate to the first gap. The circuit includes a controller, a first electrical pulse source in power connection with the first pair of electrodes, and a second electrical pulse source in power connection with the second pair of electrodes. The first electrical pulse source is productive of a high voltage low current arc across the first gap in response to the controller and the second electrical pulse source is productive of a low voltage high current arc across the second gap in response to the controller and the high voltage arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George William Roscoe, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kuttubudin Bohori
  • Patent number: 8008596
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus performs a specific plasma processing on a target substrate by disposing a first and a second electrode to face each other in a processing chamber, and supplying high-frequency electric power to at least one of the first and the second electrodes to thereby generate a plasma while introducing a processing gas onto the target substrate supported by the second electrode. The electrode for use as the first electrode includes: an electrode plate facing the second electrode; a support for supporting the electrode plate, wherein the support is in contact with a surface of the electrode plate and the surface is opposite to the second electrode; and a dielectric portion, provided on a contact surface of the support with the electrode plate, and having a shape in which a center portion thereof has a height different from that of an edge portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Akira Koshiishi, Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110192823
    Abstract: An industrial machine assembly includes an industrial machine and a handle. The industrial machine includes an upper wall and a side wall. The side wall and upper wall cooperate to define a corner. The handle includes a grasping portion, a first flange, and a second flange. The handle is configured for attachment to the industrial machine in one of a first position and a second position. When the handle is in the first position, the first and second flanges straddle the corner such that the first flange is adjacent to the upper wall and the second flange is adjacent to the side wall. When the handle is in the second position, the first and second flanges straddle the corner such that the first flange is adjacent to the side wall and the second flange is adjacent to the upper wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas David Williams, Bruce John Chantry
  • Patent number: 7989727
    Abstract: An improved torch providing high visibility of the work zone to the operator, an increased viewing angle, and a reduced obstruction angle. The high visibility torch includes consumables adapted to maintain torch and consumables performance while reducing visual obstruction to the user, by coordinating, balancing, and optimizing design requirements and stack up tolerances. The invention also includes a related low-profile safety switch that promotes workpiece visibility and minimizes view obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Twarog, Jesse A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7960669
    Abstract: A hybrid thermal cutting apparatus has both a laser head and a plasma torch, both of which can be controlled independently, can perform both laser processing and plasma processing, thus reducing the running costs. A large number of cutting lines for cutting out various types of manufactured products from plate materials are classified into a laser cutting type and a plasma cutting type, according to the cutting length, whether they are the external periphery of manufactured products or apertures, the size of the manufactured products or the apertures, the required process accuracy, the plate thickness, or the like. The lines of the laser cutting type are cut by laser processing, while the lines of the plasma cutting type are cut by plasma processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Kabata, Ikuo Kamada
  • Publication number: 20110109022
    Abstract: A lightweight bevel head attachment for a torch cutting machine includes a horizontal support tray, a rotation assembly mounted under the support tray, a tilt assembly coupled to the rotation assembly for rotation therewith about a vertical axis, a torch holder carried and pivoted by the title assembly, and a rack-and-pinion lift assembly having a mounting plate for attachment to the cutting machine carriage. The tilt assembly includes a pair of link arms housing a pulley system for transmitting pivotal motion at an input shaft to an output shaft on which the torch holder is mounted. The bevel head attachment can provide bevel angles in a range of about ±75 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: KOIKE ARONSON, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Flaig, Garick J. Tischler
  • Publication number: 20110062126
    Abstract: A pipe processing apparatus containing a gripping mechanism with bracing rollers, further a drive wheel which is rotationally supported on the pipe processing apparatus and axially parallel to the bracing rollers and is positioned/positionable by its tread at such a site where said tread can make contact with the pipe held by the bracing rollers and can rotate said pipe by static friction; and a drive system to actuate the drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
    Inventor: Andreas Lier
  • Patent number: 7888618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam cutting device (1), comprising at least one container (5), for a fluid (8), a current source (2), a controller (3) and a burner (6), connected to the container (5), by means of a supply line (7), for generation of a steam jet exiting through a nozzle. According to the invention, such a steam cutting device (1), in which no, or almost no fluid is found in the burner in stand-by mode or after switch-off of the steam cutting device such that post-evaporation can be avoided, may be achieved, whereby a relief line (22) is connected to the supply line (7), for relieving the supply line (7) and/or the burner (6), on or after the ending of the steam cutting process. A regulation valve (24) can be provided in the relief line, which can be connected to the controller (3) itself coupled to a sensor (25), for determining the pressure in the burner (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Langeder, Heribert Pauser
  • Publication number: 20110030307
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a containerization support structure for use in metal cutting including a flooring structure and a plurality of concrete composite structural bars positioned within the flooring structure. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of implementing a reusable containerization system for collecting metal by-product during a metal cutting operation includes the steps of positioning concrete composite structural bars within a flooring structure, where the flooring structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending metal carriers positioned to house the bars; performing a metal cutting operation; collecting the metal by-product on the concrete composite structural bars; removing the bars; cleaning metal by-product from the bars; and returning the concrete composite structural bars to the metal carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo A. Rodriguez, Milton Hernandez Gomez
  • Publication number: 20100314361
    Abstract: A cutting head for a cutting machine, the cutting head having a holder arranged to support a cutting device, the holder being secured to an arm assembly that is adapted to be mounted to the cutting machine, a first servo motor to drive the arm assembly to effect rotational movement or swivel of the torch holder and a second servo motor to drive the arm assembly to effect tilt of the holder about a vertical axis whereby, in use, as the holder tilts and swivels to impart a bevel cut to a work piece the tip of the cutting device is held stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Gianpiero Antonio BUCCELLA
  • Publication number: 20100301020
    Abstract: A method of operating a plasma arc torch system includes placing a work piece to be cut on a table of the plasma arc torch system, wherein at least a portion of the work piece has a planer surface facing away from the table. A plasma arc torch is positioned adjacent the planer surface of the work piece using a positioning apparatus, wherein the positioning apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom about which it can move the plasma arc torch relative the work piece for cutting the work piece on the table. The method further includes angling the torch relative the planer surface of the work piece such that the torch is held at an angle of between about 1 and about 4 degrees from perpendicular with the planer surface to back burn a produced kerf such that a kerf edge is perpendicular relative the planer surface of the work piece. Additionally, the planer surface of the work piece is calculated by contacting the work piece with the torch at least three times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: KIFFER INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Dale C. Phillip, James P. Muckley
  • Publication number: 20100301019
    Abstract: Plasma cutter and welder units are provided for fabricating a pipe. The plasma cutter and welder unit include a support structure having a carriage rotatably supported thereon. A plasma cutter nozzle and a weld nozzle are mounted to the carriage. A drive mechanism adjusts positioning of the plasma cutter and weld nozzles through varying control by a controller during operation. Additionally, a bearing support is provided for cradling the pipe during fabrication. The bearing support includes a plurality of bearing plates. A wedge structure is secured to each of the bearing plates and to a fixture base to form a nest for receiving the pipe. An isolation pad is disposed between the wedge structure and the fixture base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Ryan H. Hansen, William J. Evans, IV
  • Patent number: 7820935
    Abstract: A burner design used for thermal treatment of a surface of materials is presented. The burner includes a tubular electrode, a nozzle, a removable rod-shaped electrode which are arranged to form a discharge chamber, a means for vapor generation in the form of a reservoir provided with a flange and filled with a liquid-absorbing material, an electric arc vortex stabilization element, an element for cooling the nozzle and the electrode, and current leads. The reservoir flange is made in the form of a connection fitting and is provided with a partition having a central opening in which the tubular electrode is positioned to enable the formation of a heating element including an evaporator and a vapor superheater, both separated by the partition, the evaporator is provided with grooves for discharging vapor into a collector out of an annular recess on a surface of the vapor superheater arranged outside the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Plazarium Ltd
    Inventors: Vladimir Semenovich Tverskoi, Aleksei Vladimirovich Tverskoi
  • Patent number: 7807937
    Abstract: A system for conserving a consumable component of a plasma torch is disclosed. The system includes a controller of a plasma torch that is connected to a power source. The controller is configured to, during a single trigger actuation, delay generation of an arc after a prior arc collapses. Such a control allows the consumable components of the plasma torch to cool prior to subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C Schneider
  • Patent number: 7763824
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a cable management system for a plasma cutter. The cable management system uses a flexible strap that is affixed to the housing of the plasma cutter and a loop is formed in the cable. The loop can be opened to align and position the cable with respect to the strap and the loop then can be easily closed to encircle the cable to secure the cable to the housing of the plasma cutter. By the present system, the portable plasma cutter can be transported by a user and the cables are securely fastened to the housing so as to prevent the cable from dragging or otherwise present a burden to the transportation of the plasma cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20100176096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting method for cutting an upper edge and a lower edge of a cutting plane into a curved shape, when a cutting object is cut by supplying plasma gas to the periphery of an electrode of a plasma torch and ejecting plasma arc from a nozzle. In order to melt the upper edge and the lower edge of the cutting plane to form a curved shape, at least one condition selected from plural conditions including a cutting electric current, cutting speed, height of a plasma torch, angle of the plasma torch, and flow rate of plasma gas upon performing the vertical cutting for forming the upper edge and the lower edge of the cutting object substantially at right angles is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: KOIKE SANSO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Koike, Akira Furujo, Ryuta Hirai
  • Publication number: 20100155377
    Abstract: An automated method for cutting a plurality of hole features using a plasma arc torch system can be implemented on a computer numerical controller. The automated method can include the steps of: a) cutting a lead-in for a hole feature using a lead-in command speed based on a diameter of that hole feature and b) cutting a perimeter for the hole feature using a perimeter command speed greater than the corresponding lead-in command speed for the hole feature. The automated method can also include the step c) of repeating steps a) and b) for each additional hole feature having a same diameter or a different diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon W. Lindsay, Guy T. Best, Peter V. Brahan, Gregory S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7709765
    Abstract: A thermal processing system includes a thermal torch for processing a workpiece, a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch, a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece, a controller for controlling the thermal processing system, and a deterministic-based communication network, such as, for example, a network which operates using SERCOS. The deterministic-based communications network connects at least the controller, the power supply, and the positioning system of the thermal processing system together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Tate S. Picard, Gregory S. Wilson, Jeffery L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20100089878
    Abstract: A cutting device (1) having a cutting head (2) suspended pivotally in an articulate suspension (10) that includes two intersecting or skew rotary axes (4) and (5.) Two actuators (6, 7) are displaceable along linear axes (8) and (9) preferably aligned horizontally or vertically or diagonally, and engage the cutting head (2) via rods (13) and (14). The pivotal movements can be executed and controlled around the axes (4) and (5) by the linear adjustment motions of the actuators (6) and (7.) The cutting head (2) has a plasma cutter (19) and/or a laser cutter and/or a jet cutter and/or a mechanical cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: NUM INDUSTRY ALLIANCE AG
    Inventor: Peter Halser
  • Publication number: 20100084381
    Abstract: A process for plasma spot welding of surface-treated workpieces using a plasma torch comprises supplying a plasma-generating gas to the plasma torch, connecting a first terminal (?) of a current source to an electrode of the plasma torch, connecting a second terminal (+) of the current source to a workpiece, building up at least one plasma arc from the electrode of the torch toward the workpiece by applying electric current (I(t)) from the current source to an anode-cathode path between the electrode and the workpiece. The electric current (I(t)) is kept in a preprocessing current range (IV) in a phase I and, in a subsequent phase II, at a main processing current value (IH) having an the average value of which is higher than the average preprocessing current range (IV). Phase I is maintained at least until the at least partial evaporation of surface treatment layers of the workpieces in a joining zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SBI PRODUKTION TECHN. ALAGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Indraczek, Ferdinand Stempfer
  • Publication number: 20100078410
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a high power density plasma cutting/welding-type system is disclosed. The plasma cutting system includes a housing and a power source disposed within the housing constructed to generate plasma cutting power. The plasma cutting system also includes a plasma torch actuated by a trigger and connected to the power source to produce a cutting arc. The plasma cutting system is constructed such that it has a power-to-weight ratio of at least 550 Watts per kilogram (W/kg).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, David P. Marcusen, Nathan G. Leiteritz, Nick William Buettner
  • Patent number: 7674998
    Abstract: To enable the amount of air capable of bringing smoke to the vicinity of a discharge opening of a gas discharge chamber to be sent into the gas discharge chamber. A cutting machine has gas discharge chambers arranged side by side by partitioning the inside of a table, blower openings each provided on one end side of a gas discharge chamber, gas discharge openings each provided on the other side of the gas discharge chamber, and fans for sending air, while moving to the outside of the table, to at least one gas discharge chamber from the blower opening of the gas discharge chamber and arranged in the direction of the movement. The fans are arranged at intervals such that two or more fans face the blower opening of one gas discharge chamber, and the two or more fans can simultaneously send air to the one gas discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohnishi, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100051593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining, particularly for cutting, of electrically conductive workpieces using a machining tool (10), which can be displaced back and forth toward and away from a workpiece by means of a drive unit and which comprises an electrically insulated, metallic tool head (12) forming a first capacitance (C1) with the workpiece, and comprising an analysis unit (14) for analyzing a characteristic value dependent on the first capacitance (C1) . The invention provides that a metallic connecting element (18) is attached to the tool head (12), the element being connected to the analysis unit (14) and forming a second capacitance (C2) with the tool head (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Bruno Heck
  • Publication number: 20090294413
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling gas pressure for a plasma cutter includes a plasma torch, a gas supply system to provide a pressurized gas to the plasma torch, and a proportional valve configured to regulate the pressurized gas. The proportional valve includes a body, a valve seat positioned therein and defining a valve orifice, and a plunger having a mating surface on one end that mates with the valve seat and the orifice and a pressure receiving surface on an opposite end. The proportional valve also includes an inlet to receive the pressurized gas and distribute the pressurized gas to the valve orifice and the pressure receiving surface of the plunger, an electrical solenoid having a chamber to electro-magnetically translate the plunger therein, and a bias urging the plunger toward the valve orifice in conjunction with the pressurized gas when electrical power is reduced to the electrical solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, David P. Marcusen, Nick William Buettner, Brian J. Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20090277881
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to securing a torch assembly and a work lead assembly to a plasma cutting power supply are provided. The present disclosure relates to a system and method that allows the torch assembly and the work lead assembly to be readily replaced by the user since the power supply unit need not be opened or disassembled for removal. The present disclosure provides methods and systems for removably securing both the torch assembly and the work lead assembly to the plasma cutting power supply. In one embodiment, the torch assembly and the work lead assembly may be communicatively coupled to the plasma cutting power supply unit via a single cable and a single connector. The connection between the first connector and the first port may be of the quick disconnectable type. The connection between the second connector and the second port may be of the twist lock type, such as a dinse style connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Bornemann, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz
  • Publication number: 20090277882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for housing a consumable storage bin in addition to structural, thermal management, pneumatic, and/or electronic system components in a single multifunctional component within a plasma cutting power supply are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a consumable storage bin, which fits into a consumable storage area in the power supply unit and is accessible to a user. In one embodiment, the consumable storage bin may be eliminated, leaving only the consumable storage area in which racks, snaps, friction-fit retention features, and so forth, may be placed to hold the consumables and ensure easy user access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Brian James Bornemann
  • Patent number: 7615720
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7615719
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Michael Shipulski
  • Publication number: 20090271024
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus (1) includes a base (5) having upwardly extending first and second ends (10, 15) between which spaced elongate sides extend (20, 25). The ends and sides (10, 15, 20, 25) being located in a plane. The plane being inclined by an acute angle to a vertical plane. A cutting device (35) is provided to cut sheet material supported on the base (5). The device (1) is mounted on and moveable relative to the sides and ends (10, 15, 21, 25). Means (30) urges the cutting device (35) to desired locations relative to the base (5) thereby enabling the device (1) to cut the sheet material at desired locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Robert McCleary
  • Publication number: 20090230098
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring a plasma arc from between an electrode and a tip to between an electrode and a workpiece and back as dictated by the conditions at the cutting arc are provided. The present disclosure allows for arc transfer detection without use of a current sensor at the workpiece or knowledge of a precise pilot circuit limit value through a novel plasma arc control circuit. In one embodiment, the plasma arc control circuit provides a programmable current source and a current sink configured to limit current in a pilot arc control circuit. The pilot arc circuit may be configured to signal its limiting status to a controller, which may switch the pilot arc control circuit in or out of the current path. Certain embodiments may include a pulse width modulation control in the pilot arc control circuit for controlling current flow through the pilot arc circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Alan A. Manthe
  • Patent number: 7582844
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that control gas flow to a plasma arc torch local to a torch handle. Generally, a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a gas control device operable with a torch lead and a torch head, and an activation member operable with the gas control device. Accordingly, the activation member activates the gas control device such that gas flow is supplied from the torch lead to the torch head, and the activation member deactivates the gas control device such that the gas flow is terminated. Further, the activation member may comprise a trigger system, a button, or a safety member, among others. Moreover, the gas control device may comprise a gas control valve or a switch that activates a gas control device disposed within a power supply, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Horner-Richardson, Shiyu Chen, Roger W. Hewett, Joseph P. Jones, Kevin J. Kinderson, Darrin H. MacKenzie, Fred Rogers
  • Patent number: 7582847
    Abstract: A system and method for producing braces for a cavity die having a predetermined shape are disclosed. The system includes an input file containing information about the shape of the cavity die and a bracing program running on a computer. The bracing program produces an output file based on the input file and brace parameters. The output file includes information about the design of the braces. The computer instructs a brace-making machine to produce the braces based on the information in the output file. The method includes the steps of: a) providing input information about the shape of the cavity die and the brace parameters to the computer; b) processing the input information by the computer to produce an output file containing information about the design of the braces; and c) producing the braces in accordance with the information from the output file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: 1500999 Ontario Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Elton Scott
  • Publication number: 20090200276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water-vapor plasma torch (7) for cutting a workpiece (21), comprising a feed line (8) for a liquid (9), a heating device (22), and an evaporator (23) for forming a gas (20) from the liquid (9), a cathode (24) detachably connected to a movably mounted piston rod (25), and a nozzle (26) with an outlet opening (27) for the gas (20), as well as to a wear-detection and process-control method to be used with such a water-vapor plasma torch (7). To create such a water-vapor plasma torch (7) including wearing-part detection, at least one temperature sensor (28) is arranged within the piston rod (25), said temperature sensor being connected to a control unit (4), so that a wear of the cathode (24) and the nozzle (26) can be concluded from the temperature values detected, and that the control of the water-vapor plasma cutting process is influenceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Walter Mitterhumer, Heribert Pauser
  • Publication number: 20090159574
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a compressor and a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method is provided that includes compressing a gas via compressor and removing moisture from the gas via a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method of manufacturing a torch system is also provided. Additionally, a system for a torch power unit is provided that includes a moisture remover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 7549852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting machine comprising at least one moving type cutting table (1), in which the plastic material to be cut (2) is placed; a plurality of lower electromagnets (3) and a plurality of upper electromagnets (4) a ferromagnetic sphere (5); microwave emitting means (6); computer numerical control means (7). This machine is based on the use of a sphere (5) cutting plastic materials by means of thermal fusion, and which is controlled in space by magnetic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventors: Santos Ortiz Casar, Alfonso Martínez Conde
  • Publication number: 20090134128
    Abstract: An electrical pulse circuit is disclosed. The electrical pulse circuit is in connection with a first pair of electrodes defining a first gap between ends thereof and a second pair of electrodes defining a second gap between ends thereof. The second gap is disposed proximate to the first gap. The circuit includes a controller, a first electrical pulse source in power connection with the first pair of electrodes, and a second electrical pulse source in power connection with the second pair of electrodes. The first electrical pulse source is productive of a high voltage low current arc across the first gap in response to the controller and the second electrical pulse source is productive of a low voltage high current arc across the second gap in response to the controller and the high voltage arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: George William Roscoe, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kuttubudin Bohori
  • Publication number: 20090071944
    Abstract: A torch spacing apparatus for a plasma or flame cutting machine includes a gantry that is guided to travel in an X axis. Mounted to the gantry is at least one carriage that is/are guided to travel in a Y axis. Mounted to each carriage are selected tooling having at least two cutting torches mounted thereon with an active cutting tool in an active cutting position. The carriage is mounted to enable tooling substitution whereby the torch spacing apparatus includes a substitution mechanism which is operatively attached to the carriage and tooling such that the said substitution mechanism is adapted to allow the position of a cutting torch or active cutting torch to be substituted with another cutting torch currently in the active position to space the torches accordingly by rotating the cutting tools about a Z axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Murray Houlton Forlong
  • Publication number: 20090045175
    Abstract: Adhesion and accumulation of spatter onto a covering member that encloses the outer periphery of a torch is minimized and flying of spatter is confined within a narrow area. To this end, a covering member for enclosing a specified angular range of the outer periphery of a plasma torch 9 is provided and an opening portion 35 is formed between every adjacent shielding plates 34 in the covering member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: KOMATSU INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nishihara, Satoshi Ohnishi
  • Publication number: 20090008368
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a portable welder having a welding output, a charging output, a welding circuit coupled to the welding output; and a charging circuit coupled to the charging output. The charging circuit may be configured to automatically adjust power to the charging output based on a feedback associated with charging a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Rick Beeson, Daniel C. Fosbinder
  • Patent number: 7470872
    Abstract: A plasma arc generation system includes a power module operably engaged with a plasma arc torch head portion and adapted to provide an electrical current for causing an arc at the torch head portion or generating a plasma. A cooling device is operably engaged with the power module so as to direct a fluid thereto for cooling the power module. The cooling device is configured such that the fluid directly contacts the power module to receive heat therefrom generated by the power module. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: The Esab Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20080302767
    Abstract: A plasma cutting machine cuts stainless steel with good quality. An inactive gas (nitrogen) is supplied as a plasma gas, and a combustible gas (propane) having a specific gravity higher than that of air and having a reducing ability or a mixed gas of the combustible gas (propane) and an inactive gas (nitrogen) is supplied as an assist gas to a plasma torch. The combustible gas (propane) contained in the assist gas is not supplied in the pre-flow interval and after-flow interval, and is supplied only in the plasma arc generation interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: KOMATSU INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Kuraoka
  • Patent number: 7411149
    Abstract: A lightweight and compact plasma cutting system includes a power source having an inverter and a non-adjustable regulator enclosed within the power source. The inverter is configured to generate a power signal suitable for a plasma arc process and the non-adjustable regulator is preconfigured to deliver a fixed gas flow to a plasma torch for the plasma arc process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinoise Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Schneider