Search Patents
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Publication number: 20060151447
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Brandt, Richard Anderson, Brian Currier, Jon Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Publication number: 20070045245
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Brandt, Richard Anderson, Brian Currier, Jon Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward Shipulski
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED CUTTING LIFE OF A PLASMA ARC TORCH
    Publication number: 20130306607
    Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a cavity in a front face at a first end of the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the cavity. The first end of the electrode body is formed of high purity copper containing at least 99.81% copper. The insert has a first end and a second end and is formed of a high emissivity material. A diameter of the first end of the insert is less than a diameter of a second end of the insert. An electrode is compressed to retain the insert using radial compression. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode, and a method of operation of an electrode in a plasma torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Peter J. Twarog
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma ARC torch
    Publication number: 20050092718
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Brandt, Richard Anderson, Brian Currier, Jon Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for improved cutting life of a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 8525069
    Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a cavity in a front face at a first end of the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the cavity. The first end of the electrode body is formed of high purity copper containing at least 99.81% copper. The insert has a first end and a second end and is formed of a high emissivity material. A diameter of the first end of the insert is less than a diameter of a second end of the insert. An electrode is compressed to retain the insert using radial compression. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode, and a method of operation of an electrode in a plasma torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Peter J. Twarog
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Publication number: 20040200810
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Method and Apparatus for Alignment of Components of a Plasma Arc Torch
    Publication number: 20090308849
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 7193174
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 6946617
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 7754996
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma ARC torch
    Patent number: 7019255
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Adjustable length consumables for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 11523492
    Abstract: A torch tip is provided for a liquid-cooled plasma arc cutting torch. The torch tip includes an electrode with an elongated electrode body having a distal end and a proximal end extending along a longitudinal axis. The electrode body includes at least one interior threaded connection at the proximal end for engaging a liquid-cooled electrode holder. The electrode holder comprises a liquid coolant channel that does not extend into the electrode body. The electrode body has (i) a length extending along the longitudinal axis and (ii) a diameter associated with a widest portion of the electrode body along the longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, where a ratio of the length to the diameter of the electrode body is greater than about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Soumya Mitra, Jeremy Beliveau, John Peters, Stephen M. Liebold
  • Method and apparatus for improved cutting life of a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 8759709
    Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a cavity in a front face at a first end of the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the cavity. The first end of the electrode body is formed of high purity copper containing at least 99.81% copper. The insert has a first end and a second end and is formed of a high emissivity material. A diameter of the first end of the insert is less than a diameter of a second end of the insert. An electrode is compressed to retain the insert using radial compression. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode, and a method of operation of an electrode in a plasma torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Peter J. Twarog
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNMENT OF COMPONENTS OF A PLASMA ARC TORCH
    Publication number: 20080116179
    Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Cook, Richard W. Couch, Aaron D. Brandt, Richard R. Anderson, Brian J. Currier, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan, Casey Jones, Edward M. Shipulski
  • Composite Consumables for a Plasma Arc Torch
    Publication number: 20140021175
    Abstract: An electrode is provided for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a body having a forward portion, a middle portion and an aft portion. The forward portion includes an electrode tip comprising a conductive first material, wherein the electrode tip includes: 1) a pilot contact region for initiating a pilot arc across the nozzle and 2) an emitter. The middle portion comprises a second material and defines a proximal end for mating with the forward portion and a distal end for mating with the aft portion. The material density of the second material is at least half of the material density of the first material. The electrode also includes an electrically conductive path extending from the forward portion to the aft portion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey Chen, Nicholas Sanders
  • Composite consumables for a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 10098217
    Abstract: An electrode is provided for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a body having a forward portion, a middle portion and an aft portion. The forward portion includes an electrode tip comprising a conductive first material, wherein the electrode tip includes: 1) a pilot contact region for initiating a pilot arc across the nozzle and 2) an emitter. The middle portion comprises a second material and defines a proximal end for mating with the forward portion and a distal end for mating with the aft portion. The material density of the second material is at least half of the material density of the first material. The electrode also includes an electrically conductive path extending from the forward portion to the aft portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey Chen, Nicholas Sanders
  • Consumable designs for a plasma arc torch
    Patent number: 11420286
    Abstract: A liquid cooled electrode for a contact start plasma arc cutting torch is provided. The electrode includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a proximal end shaped to matingly engage a torch body of the plasma arc cutting torch and a distal end located substantially opposite of the proximal end along the longitudinal axis. The electrode also includes one or more contact surfaces disposed on an external surface of the distal end of the electrode body between the proximal and distal ends. The one or more contact surfaces are shaped to physically contact a nozzle disposed within the plasma arc cutting torch during a portion of a pilot arc initiation process. The physical contact is configured to support transmission of a pilot arc current between the electrode and the nozzle with a density of at least about 3000 amps per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Harshawardhan Jogdand, Girish Kamath, Oliver Murphy, Raifer Allen
  • Controlling plasma arc torches and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 10562125
    Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ames, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, John Peters
  • Plasma arc torch and method using blow forward contact starting system
    Patent number: 5994663
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method and structure for contact starting a plasma arc torch. A translatable, electrically conductive component such as a nozzle or swirl ring is biased into contact with an electrode by a compliant spring element. A pilot arc is formed by first passing current through the electrode/component interface. Thereafter, the component is translated under the influence of gas pressure in a plasma chamber formed between the electrode and component, compressing the compliant element and initiating the pilot arc. The spring element may be a separate element or may be maintained integrally with the nozzle, swirl ring, or a retaining cap, facilitating removal and replacement of the spring element with consumable components of the torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhipeng Lu
  • Electrode packaging
    Patent number: D815519
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Geheran, Frank D. Cook, Pedro A. Tedeschi, Scott Behner, Jeffrey S. Baillies
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