公开(公告)号：WO2009070362A1

公开(公告)日：2009-06-04

申请号：PCT/US2008/075181

申请日：2008-09-04

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC. ,  COOK, David, J. ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  BRANDT, Aaron, D. ,  ANDERSON, Richard, R. ,  CURRIER, Brian, J. ,  LINDSAY, Jon, W. ,  DUAN, Zheng ,  JONES, Casey ,  SHIPULSKI, Edward, M.

Inventor： COOK, David, J. ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  BRANDT, Aaron, D. ,  ANDERSON, Richard, R. ,  CURRIER, Brian, J. ,  LINDSAY, Jon, W. ,  DUAN, Zheng ,  JONES, Casey ,  SHIPULSKI, Edward, M.

IPC: H05H1/34 ,  H05H1/28

CPC classification number: H05H1/28 ,  H05H1/34 ,  H05H2001/3436 ,  H05H2001/3478

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.

Abstract translation: 冷却剂管和电极适于在割炬操作期间彼此配合以使管相对于电极对准。 改进的对准确保沿着电极内表面的冷却剂足够的流动。 在一个方面，冷却剂管的细长体具有适于与电极配合的表面。 在另一方面，电极的细长体具有适于与冷却剂管配合的表面。 管和电极的表面可以例如是凸缘，锥形表面，轮廓或台阶。

公开(公告)号：WO1993023193A1

公开(公告)日：1993-11-25

申请号：PCT/US1993004077

申请日：1993-04-30

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC.

Inventor： HYPERTHERM, INC. ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  SANDERS, Nicholas, A. ,  LUO, Lifeng ,  LU, Zhipeng ,  BÄCKANDER, Patrik ,  SOBR, John

IPC: B23K09/00

CPC classification number: H05H1/34 ,  H05H2001/3442 ,  H05H2001/3452

Abstract: The diameter of a hafnium insert (44) press fit into the bottom end of a copper electrode (42) varies as a function of the level of a current carried by the electrode. The diameter is the minimum necessary to support emission at that current level while also protecting the copper body against attack by the arc. The insert (44) is generally circular and preferably extends completely through the bottom wall (42g) to a circulating flow of cooling water at a hollow interior (48) of the electrode. The bottom wall includes an annular recess (42d) in a portion of the copper wall surrounding the insert. A coolant tube (56) extends into the recess in a spaced relationship to provide a high flow velocity of the coolant over the interior rear surface of the electrode.

公开(公告)号：WO2002074023A3

公开(公告)日：2002-09-19

申请号：PCT/US2002/007064

申请日：2002-03-08

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC.

Inventor： COOK, David, J. ,  FERLAND, Kirk, H. ,  HACKETT, Charles, M. ,  YANG, Young ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  LU, Zhipeng

IPC: H05H1/34

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

公开(公告)号：WO1994013424A1

公开(公告)日：1994-06-23

申请号：PCT/US1993012045

申请日：1993-12-10

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC.

Inventor： HYPERTHERM, INC. ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  SANDERS, Nicholas, A. ,  LU, Zhipeng ,  LUO, Lifeng ,  STENFELT, Staffan, C., O.

IPC: B23K10/00

CPC classification number: B23K26/123 ,  B23K10/00 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/125 ,  B23K26/348 ,  B23K35/38 ,  B23K2103/05 ,  B23K2103/10

Abstract: Plasma arc or laser cutting uses a mix of reactive (24a) and reducing gas flows (22a) to cut sheets (14) of stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. The reducing gas flow (22a) to the cut varies as a percentage of the total gas flow to maintain a reducing atmosphere down through the cut (12), but to leave a predominantly oxidizing atmosphere at the intersection of the cut (12) and the bottom surface (14B) of the sheet (14) being cut. In plasma arc cutting these flows can also be characterized as eithe a plasma gas flow (22a) that forms the arc, or a shield gas flow (24a) 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 translation: 等离子弧或激光切割使用反应性（24a）和还原气流（22a）的混合物来切割不锈钢，铝和其他有色金属的片材（14）。 到切割的还原气流（22a）以总气体流量的百分比变化，以通过切口（12）维持还原气氛，但是在切口（12）和切口（12）的交点处留下主要的氧化气氛 片材（14）的底面（14B）被切割。 在等离子体电弧切割中，这些流动也可以表征为形成电弧的等离子体气体流（22a）或围绕电弧的屏蔽气体流（24a）。 反应气体优选为空气，氧气，氮气，二氧化碳或这些气体的组合。 还原气体优选为氢气，氢气，甲烷或这些气体的混合物。 对于铝，反应性气体优选为空气或氮气，并且还原气体优选为甲烷或甲烷和空气的混合物。 在激光切割中，还原气体如甲烷可以通过将其与活性助剂气体混合来使用。

公开(公告)号：WO1996004771A1

公开(公告)日：1996-02-15

申请号：PCT/US1995008677

申请日：1995-07-11

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC.

Inventor： HYPERTHERM, INC. ,  LUO, Lifeng ,  COUCH, Richard, W.

IPC: H05H01/34

CPC classification number: H05H1/34 ,  H05H2001/3442 ,  H05H2001/3452

Abstract: An insert securely disposed in a bottom end of an electrode has an exposed emission surface shaped to define a recess in the insert, wherein the recess is initially dimensioned as a function of the operating current level of the torch, the diameter of the insert, and the plasma gas flow pattern in the torch. The electrode has an elongated body formed of a high thermal conductivity material such as copper, and a bore disposed in the bottom end of the body along a central axis. The insert is formed of a high thermionic emissivity material, such as hafnium, and securely disposed in the bore with the emission surface exposed. The emission surface may be initially shaped by removing a predetermined amount of the high thermionic emissivity material from the insert to define a generally concave recess, a generally cylindrical recess or other shapes. When used in a torch, the electrode provides for reduced deposition of the high thermionic emissivity material on the nozzle, thereby reducing nozzle wear in the torch.

Abstract translation: 牢固地设置在电极的底端中的插入件具有被形成为在插入件中限定凹部的暴露的发射表面，其中，所述凹部的初始尺寸是根据手电筒的操作电流水平，插入件的直径和 火炬中的等离子气体流动模式。 电极具有由诸如铜的高导热性材料形成的细长主体，以及沿着中心轴设置在主体的底端中的孔。 插入件由诸如铪的高热离子辐射材料形成，并且牢固地设置在孔中，发射表面暴露。 可以通过从插入件移除预定量的高热离子发射率材料来形成发射表面，以限定大体上凹形的凹部，大致圆柱形的凹部或其他形状。 当用于手电筒时，电极提供在喷嘴上沉积高热离子辐射材料，从而减少焊炬中的喷嘴磨损。

公开(公告)号：WO1993013905A1

公开(公告)日：1993-07-22

申请号：PCT/US1992003924

申请日：1992-05-08

Applicant: HYPERTHERM, INC.

Inventor： HYPERTHERM, INC. ,  COUCH, Richard, W. ,  SANDERS, Nicholas, A. ,  LUO, Lifeng ,  SOBR, John ,  BÄCKANDER, Patrik

IPC: B23K09/00

CPC classification number: H05H1/34 ,  H05H2001/3421 ,  H05H2001/3436 ,  H05H2001/3442 ,  H05H2001/3457 ,  H05H2001/3468

Abstract: In a plasma arc cutting torch (10), a flow of plasma gas is bypassed out of a plasma chamber (14) preferably at an annular gap between a pre-orifice in an inner nozzle piece (36) and an exit nozzle orifice in an outer nozzle piece (38). A bypass channel (20) formed between the inner and outer nozzle pieces directs the bypass flow to atmosphere. A metering valve (22) or restricting orifice remote from the gap controls the amount of the bypass flow and delays the response of changes in the flow parameters in the plasma chamber (14) to changes in the bypass flow. The pre-orifice and nozzle orifice are positioned and dimensioned to optimize the mass flow velocity and the strength of a vortex-type flow at the pre-orifice, thereby creating a virtual nozzle immediately below the electrode (30). The gas flow in the plasma chamber (14) is highly uniform and very steady.