CN104081882A - Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes - Google Patents

Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes Download PDF

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Publication number
CN104081882A
CN104081882A CN201280066360.0A CN201280066360A CN104081882A CN 104081882 A CN104081882 A CN 104081882A CN 201280066360 A CN201280066360 A CN 201280066360A CN 104081882 A CN104081882 A CN 104081882A
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China
Prior art keywords
contact element
electrode body
contact
flexible member
power supply
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Granted
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CN201280066360.0A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN104081882B (en
Inventor
约翰森·P·马瑟
尼古拉斯·A·桑德斯
乔恩·W·琳赛
彼得·特沃罗格
E·迈克尔·施普斯基
段正
大卫·约翰森·库克
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Hypertherm Inc
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Hypertherm Inc
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Priority claimed from US13/344,860 external-priority patent/US9492883B2/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H05H1/3489—Means for contact starting

Abstract

A component for a contact start plasma arc torch is provided. The component includes a hollow body defining a channel with a longitudinal axis. The channel is capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis. The component includes a contact element disposed in the hollow body and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adapted to facilitate electrical communication with a power supply and the second surface is adapted to physically contact a surface of the electrode body when the plasma arc torch is operated in a transferred arc mode. In addition, the second surface is characterized by the absence of physical contact with the surface of the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.

Description

For the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch and use the contact start plasma arc torch of this electrode
the cross reference of related application
The application applies on February 20th, 2007 and requires to apply for the 60/774th of on February 17th, 2006, the 11/709th of the benefit of priority of No. 451 U.S. Patent applications, the part of No. 315 U.S. Patent applications case that continues, the application's applicant enjoys above-mentioned two parts of applications simultaneously, and provides the mode that integral body is quoted to be incorporated in this.
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to plasma welding torch, is especially applied to electrode and the welding torch of contact start plasma arc torch.
Background technology
Be called as in the cutting and mark of metal material of workpiece, be widely used the material handling device of plasma welding torch and laser and so on.Plasma welding torch generally includes welding torch body, is arranged on intrinsic electrode, has the nozzle that central row is portalled, and electrical connector, for path cooling and arc control fluid, the ring of eddy of controlling in order to fluid flow pattern, and power supply.The gas using in welding torch can be inert gas (for example argon gas or nitrogen), or active gases (for example oxygen or air).Welding torch produces plasma arc, and plasma arc is the contraction ionization jet of the plasma gas of high temperature and high momentum.
For produce a kind of method of plasma arc at plasma welding torch, it is contact start method.Contact start method comprises that the physical contact and the electric connection that form between electrode and nozzle produce current path therebetween.Electrode and nozzle can coordinate to produce plasma chamber in welding torch body.Electric current is provided to electrode and nozzle, and gas is introduced to plasma chamber.Increase gas pressure until this pressure is enough to make electrode separated with nozzle.This separation makes to form electric arc between plasma intracavity electrode and nozzle.This electric arc makes the gas ionization of introducing, thereby produce, can be transferred to workpiece to carry out the plasma jet of material processed.In some applications, power supply is suitable for providing in electric arc production process the first electric current that is called guide current, and the second electric current that is called transferred arc electric current is provided when plasma jet is transferred to workpiece.
There is the multiple structure that can produce electric arc.For example, electrode can move along the direction of leaving stationary nozzle in welding torch body.This structure is called " flowing backwards (blow-back) " contact start method, because air pressure makes electrode move along the direction of leaving workpiece.In another structure, nozzle can move along the direction of leaving relative to static electrode.This structure is called " front stream (blow-forward) " contact start method, because air pressure makes nozzle move along the direction towards workpiece.In another structure, other torch component (for example ring of eddy) can move between stationary electrode and nozzle.
Some parts of material handling device can damage in use for some time.In the situation that described material handling device is plasma welding torch, these " consumption " parts comprise electrode, ring of eddy, nozzle, and shielding part.In addition, using contact start method to start in the process of welding torch, various consumable parts become and do not line up, and have shortened thus the useful life of parts and have reduced accuracy and the repeatability of plasma jet location.It is desirable to, these parts are easy to change at the scene.But, change consumable part and can cause and shut down and reduce productivity ratio.
In the refluence method of contact start plasma arc torch, electrode moves to cause the pilot arc between electrode and nozzle along the direction of leaving nozzle.The near-end of electrode (for example, away from workpiece one end) engages with the power supply contact that forms a part of welding torch body.Electrode also can make power supply contact move along the movement of leaving nozzle direction.The Reusability of welding torch can cause power supply contact and electrode to wear and tear.In plasma welding torch operation, changing electrode is routine operation, and routine is carried out this processing.Yet, to change power supply contact and comprise dismounting welding torch body and consuming time of a specified duration, cost is high, because power supply contact is not designed to consumable part.Some refluence welding torch relates to respect to relatively static welding torch body portable power source contact.The movement of this type of power supply contact and the validity of welding torch can be subject to power supply contact to be connected to the intensity of cable or the impact of rigidity of power supply.
For example, Fig. 1 is the cutaway view of known contact start plasma arc torch.System 100 comprises power supply (not shown), its with by current carring cable 104 with power supply contact 108 electric connections of electric current are provided to welding torch 112.Welding torch 112 comprises and power supply contact 108 electric insulations the cathode block 116 that arranges around power supply contact 108.Power supply contact 108 connects the near-end 120 of conductive electrode 124.Be arranged on surface 132 that spring 128 in cathode block 116 reacts on cathode block 116 with by power supply contact 108 and electrode 124 towards 136 pushings of conduction nozzle.Before the electric arc causing for the treatment of workpiece (not shown), by spring, push electrode 124 and contact with nozzle 136 making it.
At cable 104, arrive power supply contact 108, electrode 124, and form current path between nozzle 136.Electric current can pass through along this current path.Electrode 124 and nozzle 136 coordinate to form a part for plasma chamber 140.Plasma gas can be fed to plasma chamber 140 increases the pressure in plasma chamber 140 and the power being provided by spring 128 is provided.This pressure forces electrode 124 and power supply contact 108 to move along the direction of leaving nozzle 136.Along with the gap 144 between electrode 124 and nozzle 136 increases, for example, for example, between electrode 124 (negative electrode) and nozzle 136 (anode), form electrical potential difference.Electric arc (not shown) causes for processing workpiece by gas particles ionization and across gap 144.
A shortcoming of system 100 is when electrode 124 moves with starting arc, and power supply contact 108 also needs mobile.When the current carrying capacity of cable 104 increases, the size of cable 104 increases, but the flexible reduction of cable 104.The flexible reduction of cable 104 can reduce the versatility of welding torch 112 and handling.In addition, power supply contact 108 and cathode block 116 need relatively compact tolerance (for example, the relatively little gap between power supply contact 108 and cathode block 116).Relatively compact tolerance (for example,, in pilot arc elicitation procedure) in the moving process of power supply contact 108 positions and leads power supply contact 108.
Summary of the invention
Industry needs a kind of electrode for contact start plasma arc torch of optimizing welding torch operation and not breaking down ahead of time.In addition, need a kind of contact start formula welding torch that adopts concept of the present invention to extend as far as possible the component life of existing welding torch design.Therefore, the parts of one object of the present invention for a kind of more lasting electrode being provided and using together with electrode in plasma welding torch.Another object is for providing a kind of structure, and it can reduce the wearing and tearing of the parts that are not designed to expendable part of welding torch.An object for example, for providing in welding torch operating process (, pilot arc and transferred arc pattern) with respect to the align structures of torch component again.
On the one hand, a kind of parts for contact start plasma arc torch are provided.Described parts comprise hollow body, and described hollow body defines the passage with longitudinal axis.Described passage can be along described longitudinal axis hold electrodes body slidably.Described parts also comprise the contact element in described hollow body.Described contact element comprises first surface and second surface.When operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, described first surface promotes the electric connection with power supply, and described second surface can form physical contact with the surface of described electrode body.Described second surface is characterised in that, when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, between described second surface and the surface of described electrode body, does not form physical contact.
In some embodiment, described parts comprise ring of eddy part, and described ring of eddy partly defines exterior section, interior section, and pass through one or more hole to described interior section from described exterior section, so that fluid carries out eddy motion.Described ring of eddy part is integrally formed with described hollow body.In some embodiment, described hollow body comprises ring of eddy part.
In some embodiment, described parts comprise flexible member, and when described electrode body inserts described passage, described flexible member contacts described electrode body.Described flexible member is configured to apply separating force to described electrode body.In some embodiment, described flexible member is fixed to described passage by radial interference fit.Described flexible member is connected to described contact element.In some embodiment, described parts comprise power supply contact, the first surface electric connection of itself and described power supply and described contact element.
In some embodiment, described contact element maintains static.In some embodiment, described passage comprises for limiting the shoulder vertically moving of described contact element.In some embodiment, the inner surface of described passage comprises insulating material.
On the other hand, provide a kind of method that operates contact start plasma arc torch.Described method comprises that longitudinally axis is slidably received within electrode body in passage.Described passage is defined by the hollow body of the parts of described plasma welding torch.Described method comprises when operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, promote 1) power supply and be located at the electric connection between the first surface of the contact element in described passage, and 2) physical contact between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body.Described method also comprises when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, keeps not forming physical contact between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body.
In some embodiment, described method comprises and makes fluid by one or more hole to the inner surface of described parts, make described fluid carry out eddy motion from the outer surface of described parts.In some embodiment, described method applies separating force by the flexible member of being located between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body to described electrode body.In some embodiment, described method comprises described flexible member is connected to described contact element.In some embodiment, in described passage, limit vertically moving of described contact element.
In some embodiment, described method comprises the inner surface insulation that makes described passage.In some embodiment, described method comprises the electric connection of the first surface that promotes power supply contact and described contact element.Described power supply contact and described power supply electric connection.
On the other hand, a kind of parts for contact start plasma arc torch are provided.Described parts comprise hollow body, and described hollow body defines the passage with longitudinal axis.Described passage can be along described longitudinal axis to hold electrodes body slidably.Described parts comprise the first contact element being arranged in described hollow body.Described the first contact element comprises the first contact element surface and the second contact element surface.Described the first contact element surface promotes the electric connection with power supply.Described parts also comprise the additional contact element of being located in described hollow body.Described additional contact element comprises the first additional contact element surface and the second additional contact element surface.When operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, the described first additional contact element surface forms physical contact with described the second contact element surface, between the described second additional contact element surface and the surface of described electrode body, forms physical contact.
In some embodiment, described parts comprise ring of eddy part, and it defines exterior section, interior section, and pass through one or more hole to described interior section from described exterior section, so that fluid carries out eddy motion.In some embodiment, described ring of eddy part is integrally formed with described hollow body.
In some embodiment, described parts comprise described the second contact element surface and the described first flexible member adding between contact element surface of being located in described passage.Described flexible member is configured to apply separating force to described additional contact element.Described flexible member is fixed to described passage by radial interference fit.In some embodiment, described flexible member is connected at least one in described the first contact element or described additional contact element.
In some embodiment, described the first contact element maintains static.Described additional contact element can be with respect to described the first contact element translation.In some embodiment, the inner surface of described passage comprises insulating material.
In some embodiment, described parts also comprise power supply contact, and it is communicated with the first contact element surface electrical of described power supply and described the first contact element.
On the other hand, provide a kind of method that operates contact start plasma arc torch, described method comprises that longitudinally axis is slidably received within electrode body in passage.Described passage is defined by the hollow body of the parts of described plasma welding torch.Described method comprises the electric connection between the first contact element surface that promotes power supply and be located at the first contact element in described passage.Described method comprises when operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, promote 1) the second contact element surface of described the first contact element and the physical contact of being located between the first additional contact element surface of the additional contact element in described passage, and 2) physical contact between the surface of the surperficial and described electrode body of the second additional contact element of described additional contact element.
In some embodiment, described method comprises and makes fluid by one or more hole to the inner surface of described parts, make described fluid carry out eddy motion from the outer surface of described parts.In some embodiment, described method comprises that the flexible member by being located between described the second contact element surface and the described first additional contact element surface applies separating force to described additional contact element.
In some embodiment, described method comprises described flexible member is attached to at least one in described the first contact element or additional contact element.In some embodiment, described method is included in described transferred arc mode process, makes described additional contact element with respect to described the first contact element translation.In some embodiment, described method comprises the inner surface insulation that makes described passage.
In some embodiment, described method comprises the electric connection on the first contact element surface that promotes power supply contact and described the first contact element.Described power supply contact and described power supply electric connection.
On the other hand, provide a kind of assembly for contact start plasma arc torch.Described assembly comprises hollow body, and described hollow body defines longitudinal axis.Described hollow body can be along described longitudinal axis hold electrodes body slidably.Described assembly comprises the contact element of being located in described hollow body.Described contact element comprises first surface and second surface.When described electrode body inserts described hollow body, described first surface can promote the electric connection with power supply, and described second surface can form physical contact with the surface of described electrode body.Described assembly comprises flexible member, and it is connected to the described contact element in described hollow body.When described electrode body inserts described hollow body, described flexible member and described electrode body form physical contact and apply separating force to the surface of described electrode body.
In some embodiment, when with pilot arc pattern operation welding torch, described flexible member by roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body.In some embodiment, described assembly comprises conducting element, when with pilot arc pattern operation welding torch, described conducting element by roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body.
In some embodiment, the consumable part that described assembly is described plasma welding torch.In some embodiment, described assembly also comprises nozzle, shielding part, ring of eddy, or position-limiting cover, or their combination.
In some embodiment, described flexible member and described contact element form physical contact.
On the other hand, provide a kind of electrode for contact start plasma arc torch.Described electrode comprises the slender electrode body being formed by electric conducting material.Described electrode body defines longitudinal axis.Described electrode also comprises contact element, and described contact element comprises first surface and second surface.When operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, described first surface promotes the electric connection with power supply, and described second surface can form physical contact with the surface of described electrode body.Described electrode comprises is located at the near-end of described electrode body and the flexible member between described contact element, described flexible member also comprises conducting element to applying electrode described in separating force between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode, it is for 1) when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, by at least roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body, or 2) when operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, by at least roughly all transferred arc current delivery to described electrode body, or 1) and 2) combination.
In some embodiment, described electrode comprises to be located between described flexible member and described electrode body or to be located between described contact element and described flexible member, or be located at the insulating material of these two positions, to prevent that described flexible member is transferred to described electrode body by least one in described pilot arc electric current or described transferred arc electric current.In some embodiment, described flexible member is made by non-conducting material.
In some embodiment, described conducting element is the electric wire with described contact element and described electrode body electric connection.In some embodiment, described conducting element is to embed at least partly the probe of described electrode body.In some embodiment, described probe is suitable for the physical contact of maintenance and described contact element.In some embodiment, described conducting element is be connected at least a portion of described electrode body and form the second flexible member of physical contact with described contact element.In some embodiment, described conducting element is configured to transmit roughly all described pilot arc electric current and transferred arc electric current.
In some embodiment, described electrode comprises the insulating material of being located between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body, to prevent that described transferred arc electric current is passed to described electrode body from described contact element in described transferred arc mode process.
On the other hand, provide a kind of electrode for contact start plasma arc torch.This electrode and power supply form electric connection.Described electrode comprises the slender electrode body being formed by electric conducting material.Described electrode body defines longitudinal axis.Described electrode comprises the flexible member near the near-end of described electrode body.Described flexible member can 1) when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, by at least roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body, or 2) when operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, by least roughly all transferred arc current delivery to described electrode body.
On the other hand, provide a kind of method that operates contact start plasma arc torch.Described method comprises the electrode that is provided for described plasma welding torch.Described electrode comprises the electrode body that defines longitudinal axis.Described electrode body comprises the near-end near flexible member.Described method is included in the pilot arc operating process of described welding torch, by described flexible member by least roughly all pilot arc current delivery being generated by power supply to described electrode body.Described method is also included in the transferred arc operating process of described welding torch, by described flexible member by least roughly all transferred arc current delivery being generated by described power supply to described electrode body.
In other embodiments of the invention, above any aspect can comprise one or more above features.One embodiment of the invention can provide all above feature and advantage.With reference to following specification and accompanying drawing, can understand more completely these and other feature, accompanying drawing is illustrative and needn't draws in proportion.
Should be understood that and can combine in many ways many aspects of the present invention and embodiment.According to the instruction of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art can easily judge how to combine a plurality of these embodiment.
Accompanying drawing explanation
Fig. 1 is the cutaway view of existing contact start plasma arc torch;
Fig. 2 A is the electrode body that the embodiment of the present invention comprises, conductive elastic component, and the exploded view of power supply contact;
Fig. 2 B shows the cutaway view that pilot arc operation adopts the schematic contact start plasma arc torch of parts shown in Fig. 2 A before;
Fig. 2 C shows the cutaway view of the plasma welding torch of Fig. 2 B in transferred arc pattern;
Fig. 3 A shows the cutaway view for the schematic electrode embodiment of contact start plasma arc torch;
Fig. 3 B shows in detail the electrode embodiment assembling electrod assembly shown in Fig. 3 A before;
Fig. 4 A show under the state before pilot arc operation, comprise shown in the cutaway view of schematic contact start plasma arc torch of parts;
Fig. 4 B show under the state in transferred arc mode process, comprise shown in the cutaway view of plasma welding torch of Fig. 4 A of parts;
Fig. 5 A shows the cutaway view of the schematic electrode that comprises the contact element be located in electrode body jack and elastic conduction part;
Fig. 5 B illustrates the electrode shown in Fig. 5 A that is made as transferred arc pattern;
Fig. 6 A shows and comprises the cutaway view of being located at the contact element of electrode body near-end and the schematic electrode of elastic conduction part;
Fig. 6 B illustrates the electrode shown in Fig. 6 A that is made as transferred arc pattern;
Fig. 7 A illustrates the schematic contact element that embodies the principle of the invention, elastic component, and the partial exploded view of power supply contact;
Fig. 7 B shows the parts shown in Fig. 7 A being located in plasma welding torch operation;
Fig. 8 A shows the electrode body before being installed in plasma welding torch, elastic conduction part, and the cutaway view of another embodiment of contact element.
Fig. 8 B illustrates the form of parts shown in Fig. 8 A in transferred arc mode process;
Fig. 9 illustrates the cutaway view of another embodiment that realizes electrode of the present invention;
Figure 10 A is the stereogram of schematic contact element and elastic conduction part;
Figure 10 B for adopting the cutaway view of a part of plasma welding torch of the parts of Figure 10 A in pilot arc operating process;
Figure 11 A shows the schematic contact element for contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 11 B shows contact element shown in Figure 11 A and rotates 90 ° around vertical axis.
Figure 12 shows the embodiment for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 13 shows the embodiment for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 14 shows another embodiment for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 15 A is is the partial perspective cutaway view of the assembly of plasma welding torch for contact start;
Figure 15 B is the three-dimensional exploded view of assembly shown in Figure 15 A;
Figure 15 C is the front view of a part for assembly shown in Figure 15 A;
Figure 16 A is the stereogram for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 16 B is the front view of the assembly with using together with the electrode of Figure 16 A;
Figure 17 A is the stereogram for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 17 B is the front view of the assembly with using together with the electrode of Figure 17 A;
Figure 18 A is the stereogram for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 18 B is the front view of the assembly with using together with the electrode of Figure 18 A;
Figure 19 is the stereogram for the electrode of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 20 A shows the embodiment for the assembly of contact start plasma arc torch;
Figure 20 B shows the exploded perspective view of assembly shown in Figure 20 A;
Figure 21 A shows another embodiment for contact start plasma arc torch assembly;
Figure 21 B shows the exploded perspective view of assembly shown in Figure 21 A.
Embodiment
Fig. 2 A is the electrode body of the embodiment of the present invention, flexible member, and the exploded view of power supply contact.System 200 comprises electrode body 202, flexible member 204, and power supply contact 206 (also referred to as mains connection).Power supply contact 206 is for example for example, by feed cable (, the feed cable in Fig. 1 104) and power supply (not shown) electric connection.Power supply provides electric current to power supply contact 206, is similar to the plasma welding torch of welding torch shown in Fig. 1 112 for class of operation.Electrode body 202 comprises reaction surface 208, and this reaction surface is configured to and flexible member 204 electric connections.Reaction surface 208 is arranged to the near-end 210 of electrode body 202 spaced apart.In certain embodiments, reaction surface 208 defines the flange radially extending from longitudinal axis A.In certain embodiments, reaction surface 208 forms one with electrode body 202.For example, reaction surface 208 can by the material identical with electrode body 202 make or by different materials make but in conjunction with or be fixed to electrode body 202.
Electrode body 202 comprises the reaction surface 208 being set to flexible member 204 electric connections.Reaction surface 208 is set to the near-end 210 of electrode body 202 spaced apart.In some embodiment, reaction surface 208 defines the flange radially extending from longitudinal axis A.In some embodiment, reaction surface 208 is integrally formed with electrode body 202.For example, reaction surface 208 can be made by the material identical with electrode body 202, or by different materials make but in conjunction with or be fixed to electrode body 202.
The near-end 210 of electrode body 202 is located at the position relative with far-end 212.In illustrated embodiment, the diameter of far-end 212 is greater than the diameter of near-end 210, thus while making flexible member 204 in being installed to welding torch around near-end 210.In other words, the diameter of near-end 210 is less than the internal diameter of flexible member 204.In other embodiment, the diameter of near-end 210 is equal to or greater than the diameter of far-end 212.
Power supply contact 206 comprises the surface 214 that reacts on flexible member 204.Flexible member 204 reacts on the reaction surface 208 of relatively static surface 214 and relative removable electrode body 202, thereby to leave the direction of power supply contact 206, pushes electrode body in pilot arc operating process.Electrode body 202 defines contact surface 216, and this contact surface is set to respective surfaces 218 physical contacts and the electric connection with power supply contact 206.In the operating process of the rear section of pilot arc and transferred arc mode process, contact surface 216 connects with respective surfaces 218.Power supply contact 206 near surface 218 and extend to surface 214 part 220 and define and make flexible member 204 around the diameter of this part 220.
In some embodiment, power supply contact 206 is made for a part (for example,, by power supply contact 108 being processed into the feature that comprises power supply contact 206) for the contact of power supply shown in Fig. 1 108.By this type of embodiment, user can adopt with reference to the concept described in Fig. 2 A in the existing torch system 112 shown in Fig. 1.In some embodiment, can by power supply contact 108, process groove and utilize folder or spacing ring (not shown) with respect to welding torch 112 fixed power source contacts 108, and power supply contact 108 is arranged on to the refluence position shown in Fig. 1.Thus, power supply contact 108 all keeps static with respect to welding torch 112 in pilot arc operating process and in transferred arc operating process.Generally speaking, can according to principle as herein described, to power supply contact 108, modify and in the torch system 112 of Fig. 1, use any embodiment as herein described.
The flexible requirement of relatively static 108 pairs of feed cables of power supply contact is lower.The schematic electric current that is suitable for use as pilot arc electric current is approximately 10 to approximately 31 amperes.Electric current in transferred arc operating process can be up to approximately 200 amperes.Yet the electric current that is greater than 200 amperes also falls within the scope of the present invention, for example 400 amperes.In some embodiment, power supply contact 108 is by tellurium copper, brass, and copper, or other are suitable for the material that electric current passes through in pilot arc operation and transferred arc operating process.
Generally speaking, pilot arc operation refers to and electric current is being provided to electrode body 202 and plasma arc is transferred to the duration between workpiece.More particularly, pilot arc operation can comprise the initiation of pilot arc and pilot arc cause after by arc transfer to some duration before workpiece.Some welding torch design comprises release mechanism, thereby no matter whether plasma arc has transferred to workpiece, stops pilot arc operation after scheduled time amount.This type of mechanism design is extend the working life of torch component and improve fail safe by for example, do not limit the time of welding torch operation according to application-specific (, processing workpiece).
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is fixed to electrode body 202 or power supply contact 206.In other embodiment, flexible member 204 be fixed to electrode body 202 and power supply contact 206 both.For example, flexible member 204 can be by welding, soft soldering, in conjunction with or be otherwise fixed to electrode body 202 or power supply contact 206.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is fixed to the near-end 208 of electrode body 202 by the frictional fit of radial interference fit or other type.For example, the internal diameter of the comparable flexible member 204 of external diameter of the near-end 208 of electrode body is slightly large.In some embodiment, the near-end 208 of electrode body 202 comprises extension (not shown), and the internal diameter of described extension is less than the internal diameter of flexible member 204.Described extension can be integrally formed or otherwise be fixed to electrode body 202 electrode body 202.This kind of structure makes the electrode body 124 shown in Fig. 1 can be for example in welding torch 240 shown in Fig. 2 B.
In some embodiment, the part 220 of power supply contact 206 is the tapered or frustoconical of axis A longitudinally.In some embodiment, electrode body 202 can comprise the shoulder (not shown) radially extending, the diameter of described shoulder is greater than the internal diameter of flexible member 204, thus, make flexible member 204 advance and for example, radially extend shoulder and can stop flexible member 204 towards direction and the electrode body 202 of near-end 210, to depart from vertically by (, crossing) towards the far-end 212 of electrode body 202.
In some embodiment, the distal face (not shown) of described shoulder is the reaction surface of electrode body 202.Can use similar radial interference fit with respect to power supply contact 206.For example, flexible member 204 can along the axis of orientation that leaves electrode body 202 forward and then the surface 214 of crossing power supply contact, make the face contrary with part 220 222 on surface 214 stop flexible members 204 and power supply contact to depart from.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 be conduction and face 222 and flexible member 204 between interface formation from the current path of power supply contact 206.
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is made as with far-end 212 rather than the near-end 210 of electrode body 202 spaced apart.Far-end 212 generally includes the transmitting part (not shown) of hafnium and so on, more effectively to generate plasma arc and to process workpiece.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is integrally formed with electrode body 202 or power supply contact 206.For example, flexible member 204 can be made by the material identical with electrode body 202.In other embodiments, flexible member 204 is for example attached to or is fixed to electrode body 202, to stop under normal operation (, under the impact of gas pressure and/or gravity or other power) to depart from from electrode body 202.
Fig. 2 B illustrates the cutaway view of the schematic contact start plasma arc torch that adopts parts shown in Fig. 2 A and concept.The structure of Fig. 2 B illustrates the welding torch 240 before pilot arc operation.Welding torch 240 comprises the electrode body as shown in Figure 2 A 202 being arranged in welding torch body 242, flexible member 204, and power supply contact 206.Nozzle 244 and ring of eddy 246 are also installed to welding torch body 242.The position of power supply contact 206 is set to relatively static with respect to travelling electrode body 202.That the position of power supply contact 206 is made as is contrary with the far-end 212 of electrode body 202 rear end of welding torch 240 (for example).The far-end 212 of electrode body 202 comprises the transmitting part 248 roughly aliging with the tap 250 of nozzle 244.In some embodiment, transmitting part 248 and tap 250 are shown greatly centered by longitudinal axis A.The position of ring of eddy 246 is made as the radial motion of part restriction electrode body 202 in welding torch body 242.For example, ring of eddy 246 can be made into and makes the relatively little gap of formation between ring of eddy 246 and one or more radial fins 252 of electrode body 202.
Thereby the surface 214 that flexible member 204 reacts on the reaction surface 208 of electrode body 202 and reacts on power supply contact 206 makes it to connect nozzle 244 with pushing electrode body 202.Gas flows into the plasma chamber 254 forming between electrode body 202 and nozzle 244, and guide current flow to power supply contact 206 from power supply (not shown).
At the interior formation gas pressure of plasma chamber 254 until this pressure is enough to overcome the power being provided by flexible member 204.The direction that gas pressure makes electrode body 202 edges leave nozzle 244 moves and moves to power supply contact 206 and connects.Electrode body 202 roughly longitudinally axis A move.Because electrode body 202 moves along the direction of leaving nozzle 244 by gas pressure, thereby at the interior generation of plasma chamber 254 or starting arc.Electric arc makes gas ionization in plasma chamber 254 to form plasma arc or jet, and this plasma arc or jet spray from the hole 250 of nozzle 244 and transfer to workpiece (not shown).
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 can conduct electricity, and constructs or be designed to roughly transmit all guide current between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202.Flexible member 204 can be made by such material, that is, it promotes electric current or load that carrying is relevant to causing pilot arc simultaneously, and the heat relevant to this electric current that dissipate melts in pilot arc operating process to prevent elastic conductive component.In some embodiment, can for example according to the rated current of material, select the material of flexible member 204.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is that between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202, the minimum and/or electricity of resistance is led maximum path.In addition, flexible member 206 engineering propertiess promote the movement of electrode body with contact start plasma welding torch.In some embodiment, flexible member contributes to electrode body to align with welding torch.
Flexible member 204 can be such power spring, that is, it can reach approximately 5 seconds or in the longer time, conduct reliably the electric current of approximately 31 amperes to guide electric arc operation, and can not melt or otherwise change the mechanical performance of spring.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 by the alloy of X-750 is made.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is made by stainless steel.For example, flexible member 204 can be made by 17/4 precipitation-hardening (precipitation hardening) stainless steel wire (meeting AMS5604 standard) or 302 type stainless steel wires (meeting AMS5866 or ASTM A313 standard).In some embodiment, the external diameter of about 7.62mm (approximately 0.3 inch) 300/1000 and the length of the approximately 12.7mm of axis A (for example, approximately 0.5 inch) are longitudinally made and defined to flexible member 204 by the wire of diameter 0.762mm (approximately 0.03 inch).In some embodiment, flexible member 204 coating be coated with silver or silver alloy to reduce resistance and/or improvement or to provide electricity to lead.
Although be depicted as spiral compression spring herein, flexible member 204 also can for example comprise wavy spring packing ring, finger spring packing ring, flexural spring packing ring, the flat wire Compress Spring of top to top type, or the Cone Disc of fluting.For example, transfer Hanover, the state of New Hampshire Hypertherm company the 5th, in 994, No. 663 United States Patent (USP)s, the spring of these types is illustrated, by reference its content is integrated with herein.Other spring structure also falls into scope of the present invention.
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is for being located at the wire of the near-end 210 of electrode body 202, and the second flexible member (not shown) is located at the far-end 212 of electrode body 202.The second flexible member in pilot arc operating process towards far-end 204 pushing electrode bodies, and the radial motion of (for example,, in pilot arc operating process and in workpiece processing procedure) restriction electrode body 202 in welding torch operating process.Thus, the second flexible member makes electrode body 202 alignment in welding torch operating process.
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 only conducts minimum pilot arc electric current or non-conducting between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202.For example, flexible member 204 can be by not having conductivity or make compared with the material of low electric conductivity.Or flexible member 204 can scribble insulating material to prevent conduction current.In some embodiment, can adopt one or more conducting element to conduct pilot arc electric current between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202.For example, can use electric wire that pilot arc electric current is passed to electrode body 202 from power supply contact 206.
Fig. 2 C illustrates the cutaway view of plasma welding torch shown in Fig. 2 B in transferred arc mode process.The contact surface 216 of electrode body 202 and the respective surfaces 218 of power supply contact 206 engage to set up electric connection (for example, electric current transmits between electrode body 202 and power supply contact 206 by the interface of contact surface 216 and respective surfaces 218) in the mode of general plane physical contact.When the contact surface 216 of electrode body 202 connects the respective surfaces 218 of power supply contact 206, form the current path that at least one part of current directly transmits between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202.When arc transfer is to workpiece, to welding torch 240, supply with cutting current (for example,, in transferred arc mode process).
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 conductions.Flexible member 204 is configured in pilot arc operating process delivered current between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202, but in transferred arc mode process, does not carry the main magnitude of current.More particularly, the Direct Current path between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202 with from power supply contact 206, by flexible member 204, to the current path of electrode body 202, compare and there is lower resistance and/or higher electricity is led.; when electrode body 202 in refluence state (for example; the surface 216 of electrode body 202 forms physical contact and electric connections with the surface of power supply contact 206 218), substantially allly in order to maintain the electric current (in transferred arc pattern) of plasma-arc, all directly between surface 216 and surface 218, transmit.Fig. 2 A, 2B, with the design shown in 2C thus by dual-use function (that is, towards nozzle 244 pushing electrode bodies 202 and power supply contact 206 is provided and electrode body 202 between current path) be combined into single parts in to reduce the quantity of consumable part and to simplify welding torch design.
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 carries the electric current of at least a portion in transferred arc pattern.For example, flexible member 204 can carry the transferred arc electric current of real mass, thus, when power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202 these two parts form while contacting in transferred arc mode process, make no current or only have small electric stream to be passed to electrode body 202 from power supply contact 206.For example, can be by the surface 216 at electrode body 202 and/or on the surface 218 of power supply contact 206, insulating material is set and reaches.In addition, flexible member 204 can be made as suitable size or otherwise construct, to carry transferred arc electric current.
Flexible member 204 is conductive filament or bonding jumper, for operating and/or transferred arc operating process delivered current between power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202 at pilot arc.In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is conductive casings, and itself and power supply contact 206 and electrode body 202 electric connections are with delivered current betwixt.For example, this sleeve pipe can be designed to be closely engaged on the near-end 210 of electrode body 202 and be engaged in the part 220 of power supply contact 206.In some embodiment, for example the second flexible member (not shown) of spring and so on can be used together with flexible member 204, thereby the mechanical function towards nozzle 244 pushings by electrode body 202 is provided.
In some embodiment, flexible member 204 is non-conductive and be mainly used in providing the separating force towards nozzle 244 pushing electrode bodies 202.Use at least one conducting element (for example, non-resilient line) to carry out to supply with from power supply contact 206 to electrode body 202 electric current for pilot arc operation and/or transferred arc operation.If the pilot arc electric current that conducting element transmission is main, these parts can reach approximately 5 seconds or in the longer time, conduct reliably the electric current of approximately 31 amperes to guide electric arc operation in one embodiment, and can not melt or otherwise change the mechanical performance of spring.If described conducting element is as the main current path in pilot arc pattern and these two mode process of transferred arc pattern, these parts can conduct the electric current up to approximately 200 amperes in one embodiment and not change its performance in transferred arc operating process.
In some embodiment, power supply contact 206 and flexible member 204 are all mounted to welding torch body 242, and relatively fixing with respect to travelling electrode body 202.For example, when nozzle 244 leaves welding torch body 242, flexible member 204 pushes out welding torch body 242 (for example, electrode body is ejected) by electrode body 202.In this embodiment, electrode body 202 is the consumable part of welding torch 240.In other embodiment, the combination of electrode body 202 and flexible member 204 is consumable parts of welding torch 240, and for example, these parts can be packed together and be sold or buy.
Fig. 3 A is the cutaway view that is used in the exemplary embodiment of the electrode in contact start plasma arc torch.Electrode 300 comprises the longitudinally slender electrode body 302 of axis A orientation.Electrode body 302 can be by such as tellurium copper, silver, and the electric conducting material of yellow gold or other alloy and so on is made.Electrode body 302 comprises far-end 304 and near-end 308, and far-end comprises for holding the hole 306 of transmitting part (not shown).Transmitting part can be made and for increasing the working life of plasma welding torch (not shown) and reduce the wearing and tearing of electrode body 302 by for example hafnium.In plasma welding torch operation and workpiece processing procedure, the position of the far-end 304 of electrode body 302 is made as near workpiece (not shown), and the position of near-end 308 is made as away from workpiece.When electrode 300 is arranged in welding torch, electrode body 302 longitudinally axis A moves.
Electrode 300 comprises conductive elastic component 310 (here also referred to as elastic conductive component 310).Elastic conductive component 310 is configured between power supply (not shown) and electrode body 302, transmit substantially all pilot arc electric currents in pilot arc operating process.Elastic conductive component 310 is depicted as helical spring, and it for example, engages with the flange 312 (shoulder) radially extending being arranged on the near-end 306 of electrode body 302.Flange 312 can be the reaction surface for elastic conductive component 310.Physical contact between the flange 312 of elastic conductive component 310 and electrode body 302 forms current path.
In some embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 is fixed to flange 312 (for example,, by soft soldering or welding) elastic conductive component 310 is kept by electrode body 302.Elastic conductive component 310 can keep by the frictional fit of radial interference fit or other type.In some embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 is integrally formed (for example, electrode body 302 and elastic conductive component 310 are made by same material) with electrode body 302.Elastic conductive component 310 can be fixing to prevent that in processing or attended operation process elastic conductive component 310 and electrode body 302 from departing from respect to electrode body 302.
As shown in the figure, electrode body 302 comprises the one group of fin 314 being integrally formed with electrode body 302.Fin 314 increases the surface area of electrode body 302 and is used as heat-transfer surface with cooling electrode body 302 in welding torch operating process.Described a plurality of fin 314 also forms the seal of a type, and it makes the plasma gas of introducing plasma chamber (for example, the plasma chamber 254 of Fig. 2 B) can form enough air pressure so that electrode body 302 vertically moves along axis A towards near-end 308.As mentioned above, when pilot arc electric current transmits between elastic conductive component 310 and electrode body 302, the mobile pilot arc that causes towards near-end 308 of electrode body 302.
The layout of described a plurality of fin 314 provides the axial spiral groove along electrode body 302.Transfer Hanover, the state of New Hampshire Hypertherm company the 4th, in 902, No. 871 United States Patent (USP)s, schematic property fin 314 is illustrated, by reference its content is integrated with herein.Described a plurality of fin 314 is depicted as from longitudinal axis A and radially extends.Described a plurality of fin 314 may be also other structure, for example, along axis A longitudinal extension, as also transfer Hanover, the state of New Hampshire Hypertherm company the 6th, described in 403, No. 915 United States Patent (USP)s, by reference its content is integrated with herein.Some embodiment of electrode 300 does not comprise fin 314, and air pressure applies power with traveling electrode body in causing pilot arc process at the different surfaces of electrode body 302.
Electrode 300 comprises contact element 316, and described contact element comprises first surface 318 and second surface 320.First surface 318 is configured to and power supply (not shown) electric connection.For example, first surface 318 can connect the respective surfaces (for example, the power supply contact 206 of Fig. 2 A, not shown in Fig. 3 A) of power supply contact.Power supply can be provided to by power supply contact the electric current of contact element 316.Second surface 320 is configured to after pilot arc causes and in transferred arc mode process surperficial 322 electric connections of corresponding contact with electrode body 302.In some embodiment, when electrode 300 is arranged in welding torch, the first surface 318 of contact element 316 is static (for example, first surface 318 keeps with power supply contact physical engagement or contacts) substantially.Contact element 316 can be made by material relatively hard and conduction, stainless steel for example, chromium-copper, nickel, or beryllium copper.In certain embodiments, contact element 316 is made by the hard material of the material than making electrode body 302.In certain embodiments, contact element 316 scribbles the material of relatively hard and conduction.
As shown in the figure, elastic conductive component 310 is around the near-end 308 of electrode body 302 and engage with the second surface 320 of contact element 316.For providing, from contact element 316 via elastic conductive component 310, the structure to the current path of electrode body 302 also falls within the scope of the present invention for other.In some embodiment, the second conducting element (not shown) provides the current path between contact element 316 and electrode body 302, and this current path is compared with elastic conductive component 310 has lower resistance and/or higher conductivity.In this type of embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 pushes electrode body (for example, carrying out mechanical function) along the direction of leaving contact element 316, but does not carry main guide current amount.In some embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 is fixed to contact element 316 (for example,, by welding or soft soldering) or is integrally formed with contact element 316.In some embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 can be located between the second surface 320 of contact element 316 and the corresponding contact surface 322 of electrode body.In some embodiment, the first surface 318 of contact element 316 engages with elastic conductive component 310.
Shown electrode body 302 comprises socket 324, its be located at electrode body 302 near-ends 308 and with the hole 306 separated (for example, hole 306 and socket 324 are not through holes) at far-end 304 places of electrode body 302.In some embodiment, socket 324 roughly aligns with axis A and defines inner surface 326.Contact element 316 comprises the connecting elements 328 extending from second surface 320.In some embodiment, connecting elements 328 engages with electrode body 302 slidably.For example, connecting elements 328 comprises roughly coaxial with longitudinal axis A aligned portions 330.Aligned portions 330 can engage with the inner surface 326 of socket 324 slidably.In some embodiment, engaged fit restriction electrode body 302 or the radial motion of contact element 316 in welding torch between aligned portions 330 and inner surface 326.
Socket 324 can be configured to stop contact element 316 and electrode body 302 to depart from.Electrode body 302 comprises the limiting surface 332 of being located at socket 324 near-ends, thereby stops disengaging for reacting on a part for contact element 316.In some embodiment, limiting surface 332 reacts on connecting elements 328 or the aligned portions 330 (for example, passing through radial interference fit) of contact element 316.In certain embodiments, limiting surface 332 comprises annular or ring-shaped structure.Limiting surface 332 can be arranged in socket 324, make limiting surface not disturb the second surface 320 of contact element 316 or the second surface 320 that prevents contact element 316 with the mode of general plane and contact surface 322 physical contacts of electrode body 302.
In certain embodiments, first surface 318, second surface 320, or both can scribble silver or silver alloy and improve current flowing between power supply and electrode body 302 (for example, by reducing the surface 318 of contact element 316 and the resistance at 320 places).In certain embodiments, the current path that slidably cooperation provides between contact element 316 and electrode body 302 is compared with elastic conductive component 310 and is had lower resistance and/or higher conductivity.In these embodiments, elastic conductive component 310 is setovered electrode body (for example, carrying out mechanical function) away from contact element 316, but does not carry main guide current amount.More particularly, connecting elements 328 or aligned portions 330 can be made into relatively compact tolerance, and this tolerance is enough to form electric current and by for example socket 324, is passed to the low resistance path of electrode body 302.Need relatively compact tolerance to prevent the ionization of space inner arc or the formation of arc between connecting elements 328 or aligned portions 330 and socket 324.
Fig. 3 B is the assembling more detailed view of the parts of the electrode of Fig. 3 A before.Fig. 3 B illustrates the close-up view of the near-end 308 of electrode body 302.In the embodiment shown, electrode body 302, elastic conductive component 310, and contact element 316 does not form one assembly.More particularly, contact element 316 (for example, connecting elements 128 and aligned portions 130) can for example, freely depart from elastic conductive component 310 and electrode body 302 (socket 324).In certain embodiments, the length of connecting elements 328 and aligned portions 330 is no more than the degree of depth of socket 324, thereby makes contact element " not touch the end " in the lower surface 334 of socket 324.
The near-end 308 of electrode body 302 can define the lip 336 adjacent with socket 324, and this lip longitudinally axis A extends axially.Lip 336 can be made by same material with electrode body 302.In certain embodiments, can keep in touch element 316 (for example, a part for electrode body 302 stops contact element 316 and electrode body 302 to depart from) with respect to electrode body 302.For example, connecting elements 328 and aligned portions 330 can be arranged in socket 324.Contact element 316 compresses electrode body 302, makes when second surface 320 advances to contact surface 322 physical contact with electrode body 302, and the second surface 320 of contact element 316 coordinates with lip 336.
Make lip 336 distortion enter adjacent socket 324 coordinating between second surface 320 and lip 336, can form the physical contact of facing between the second surface 320 of contact element 318 and the contact surface 322 of electrode body 302.The lip 336 of distortion can form the limiting surface 332 of Fig. 3 A.In certain embodiments, contact element 316 compresses electrode body 302, launches part simultaneously and is arranged in hole 306.For example, in being called the technique of swaged forging, the power that applies the axis A longitudinally near-end 308 of electrode body 302 (for example, towards) with respect to transmitting part is to be fixed on transmitting part in hole 306.In swaged forging process, the power far-end 304 of electrode body 302 (for example towards) that applies opposite direction makes lip 336 distortion contact element 316 is compressed to the near-end 308 of electrode body 302.In certain embodiments, the power applying is about the power (for example, the power of approximately 1000 pounds) of 4,450N.In certain embodiments, after swaged forging, the power (for example, the power of approximately 80 pounds) that limiting surface 332 for example, can bear about 356N before lost efficacy (, allowing contact element 316 to depart from electrode body 302).
In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 310 was for example arranged on, between electrode body 302 (for example,, with flange 312 physical contacts) and contact element 316 (, and second surface 320 physical contacts) before lip 336 distortion.Elastic conductive component 310 can " be clipped in " between contact element 316 and electrode body 302.Limiting surface 332 can stop the contact element 316 of installing slidably to depart from electrode body 302.In certain embodiments, electrode 300 was assembled in plasma welding torch and can be packaged into overall package part before using.
In some embodiment, limiting surface 332 has circular structure when longitudinally axis A extends axially around the circumference of socket 324 (for example, when lip 336).In other embodiments, the part that is less than whole circumference along socket 324 circumferences forms limiting surface 332.Connecting elements 328 or aligned portions 330 can freely insert socket 324 and not interfere with limiting surface 336, but for example rotate contact element 316 around longitudinal axis A, can stop contact element 316 to depart from by the interference of setting up between limiting surface 332 and connecting elements or aligned portions 330.
Fig. 4 A illustrates the cutaway view of exemplary contact start plasma arc torch.The structure of Fig. 4 A can be described as " forward " structure or " startup " structure.Welding torch 400 comprises the welding torch body 402 that defines gas access 404.Welding torch 400 comprises and the power supply contact 406 of power supply (not shown) electric connection, and power supply provides electric current to power supply contact 406.Welding torch 400 comprises the electrode 300 of Fig. 3 A.The first surface 318 of contact element 316 is configured to and power supply contact 406 physical contacts and electric connection.Elastic conductive component 310 pushing electrode bodies 302 form physical contact and electric connection away from power supply contact 406 and with nozzle 408.Electrode body 302 (for example far-end 304 of electrode body 302) and nozzle 408 cooperate to form a part for plasma chamber 410.Nozzle 408 comprises tap 412, and tap 412 makes plasma arc or jet (not shown) flow out plasma chamber 410 to transfer to workpiece (not shown).Shielding part 414 is installed to and keeps cap 416, keeps cap 416 to be installed in a part 418 for welding torch body 402.Shielding part 414 comprises the discharge port 420 adjacent with the tap 412 of nozzle 408.Discharge port 420 makes plasma jet transfer to workpiece from welding torch 400.Shielding part 414 prevents the material build of splashing down in workpiece processing procedure on nozzle 408 and shortens the useful life of nozzle 408 or electrode 300.Welding torch 400 also comprises the ring of eddy 422 that defines one or more ports 424, and described one or more port makes gas (not shown) can flow into or flow out plasma chamber 410.
Pilot arc operation starts from the initiation of pilot arc.Guide current is transmitted between power supply and power supply contact 406.The interface that power supply contact 406 crosses guide current between power supply contact 406 and the first surface 318 of contact element 316 is passed to contact element 316.Guide current for example, is transmitted between contact element 316 (second surface 320) and elastic conductive component 310.Then electric current transmits between elastic conductive component 310 and electrode body 302 and nozzle 408.Be suitable for use as the exemplary current of pilot arc electric current between approximately 22 to approximately 31 amperes.In certain embodiments, power supply contact 406 is by tellurium copper, brass, and copper, or other material that is suitable for delivered current in pilot arc operation and transferred arc operating process is made.
In pilot arc operating process, gas enters welding torch 400 by the entrance 404 being defined by welding torch body 402.Along passage 426 directional later exhausts that defined by welding torch body 402.Ring of eddy 422 defines the gas of sening as an envoy to can be passed to from passage 426 one or more air flues 428 in the space 430 that outside and part 418 by ring of eddy 422 define.Gas flow enters plasma chamber 410 by port 424.The interior formation gas pressure of plasma chamber 410 until this pressure is enough to overcome the power being provided by elastic conductive component 310, and moves away from nozzle 408 by electrode body 302, forms space or gap thus between electrode body 302 and nozzle 408.In certain embodiments, the gas in plasma chamber 410 acts on the fin 314 of electrode body 302, and longitudinally axis A exerts pressure towards the near-end 310 of electrode body 302.Electrode body 302 substantially longitudinally axis A with respect to welding torch 400, move.In certain embodiments, by all limit the radial motion of electrode body 302 in pilot arc operating process and in transferred arc mode process, contact element 316 aligns with electrode body 302.Because electrode body 302 moves away from nozzle 408, between electrode body 302 and nozzle 408, produce relative electromotive force.In the existing gap of this electromotive force official post between electrode body 302 and nozzle 408, produce electric arc (not shown) (for example passing through the most low-resistance path ionization between electrode body 302 and nozzle 408).Electric arc is used in the plasma jet in workpiece processing by the gas ionization in plasma chamber 310 with formation.
Fig. 4 B illustrates the cutaway view that pilot arc causes the plasma welding torch of Fig. 4 A that comprises illustrative components afterwards.The structure of Fig. 4 B can be described as " refluence " structure, because electrode body 302 is separated with nozzle 408.Electrode body 302 moves along axis A, until the contact surface 322 of electrode body 302 and the second surface 320 of contact element 316 contact.The first surface 318 of contact element 316 keeps and power supply contact 406 physical contacts and electric connection, and power supply contact 406 is relatively static with respect to electrode body 302.In certain embodiments, the time that electrode body 102 moves along axis A is less than or equal to approximately 0.3 second.In these embodiments, elastic conductive component 310 (for example, in the pilot arc operating process after pilot arc causes) loaded current in the structure that flows backwards.In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 310 loaded current in pilot arc elicitation procedure only.
Generally speaking, by welding torch 400 being positioned near workpiece, electric arc is transferred to workpiece (not shown) to process workpiece from nozzle 408.Workpiece remains on the electromotive force relatively lower than nozzle 408.In certain embodiments, transferred arc (for example, before the refluence structure of Fig. 4 B) in pilot arc elicitation procedure.The electrical lead (not shown) being communicated with workpiece can provide signal to the transfer of workpiece to power supply (not shown) according to electric arc.When electrode body 302 is when flowing backwards structure, power supply provides the electric current (for example, cutting current) of increase to welding torch 400.For increasing an example of the method for the electric current to welding torch be called " two-threshold value " and transfer Hanover, the state of New Hampshire Hypertherm company the 6th, in 133, No. 543 United States Patent (USP)s, be described, by reference its content is incorporated in to this.
Cutting current for example can be approximately 100 to approximately 150 amperes.Cutting current is relevant with the operation of welding torch 400 in transferred arc pattern.The amount of the cutting current providing in certain embodiments, depends on the physical characteristic (for example thickness of workpiece or the degree of depth of otch) of composition or the workpiece of workpiece.In certain embodiments, transferred arc pattern refers to that electric arc is transferred to workpiece and power supply provides cutting current.In other embodiment, transferred arc pattern refers to that arc transfer arrives workpiece.
When electrode body 302 is when flowing backwards structure, power supply is to power supply contact 406, contact element 316, and electrode body 302 provides electric current.Contact element 316 keeps relative static with respect to electrode body 302 with power supply contact 406.More specifically, in electrode 300 is installed to welding torch 400 after, the first surface 318 of contact element 316 can be designed to keep and power supply contact 406 physical contacts and electric connection.In certain embodiments, contact element 316 is fixing with respect to power supply contact 406 by for example frictional fit, and the terrestrial gravitation that for example makes to act on electrode body 302 is not enough to electrode 300 to remove from welding torch 400.For example, because the contact repeatedly of electrode body 302 and contact element 316 in the operation at welding torch 400 (start and stop) process is with separated, so the major part wearing and tearing on electrode 300 all occur in the interface between the second surface 320 of contact element 316 and the contact surface 322 of electrode body 302.The design of electrode 300 reduces the wear extent on power supply contact 406, and this is because the first surface of contact element 316 318 keeps contacting to reduce with power supply contact 406 formation of electric arc between power supply contact 406 and first surface 318.Between power supply contact 406 and first surface 318, the formation of electric arc can produce the blemish of the operation lifetime that shortens power supply contact 406 and electrode 300.
In some embodiment, elastic conductive component 310 is configured to all transmit roughly all electric currents in pilot arc operation and transferred arc operating process.In transferred arc operation, power supply by current delivery to power supply contact 406.After this, power supply contact 406 by current delivery to contact element 316, and contact element 316 by current delivery to elastic conductive component 310, and elastic conductive component 310 by current delivery to electrode body 302 and nozzle 408.In " refluence " shape structure, can adopt suitable mechanism to prevent the Direct Current transmission between electrode body 302 and contact element 316.In some embodiment, the contact surface 322 of electrode body 302 and/or the second surface 320 of contact element 316 can scribble insulating material to prevent from transferred arc pattern forming when electrode body 302 and contact element 316 transmission of electric current between while contacting.In some embodiment, in transferred arc pattern, between the contact surface 322 of electrode body and the second surface 320 of contact element 316, keep physical clearance, to prevent current transfer.For example, can by guarantee elastic conductive component 310 longitudinally axis long enough and/or electrode body 302 longitudinally length is enough short, and make the contact surface 322 of electrode body and the second surface 320 of contact element 316 cannot form physical contact under " refluence " structure, realize.Usually, in pilot arc operation and transferred arc operation, elastic electric conductor 310 all can form the current path with minimum resistance between contact element 316 and electrode body 302.In some illustrative examples, elastic conductive component 310 can conduct the electric current up to 200 amperes.
Fig. 5 A illustrates the cutaway view of the exemplary electrode of the contact element that comprises in the socket that is arranged on electrode body and elastic conductive component.Electrode 500 comprises electrode body 502, and electrode body 502 defines the near-end 506 of far-end 504 and the longitudinally contrary setting of axis A.Far-end 504 defines for receiving the hole 508 of transmitting part 510.The near-end 506 of electrode body 502 defines the socket 512 centering in cylindrical structure around longitudinal axis A.In certain embodiments, can use the non-cylindrical structure for socket 512.Socket 512 for example, by electrode body 502 separated with hole 508 (, electrode body 502 does not have through hole).Socket 512 defines the first contact surface 514 that is arranged on socket 512 bottoms.Contact surface 514 is configured to and power supply contact (shown in Fig. 5 B) electric connection and/or physical contact.Socket 512 also defines the second contact surface 516.
Electrode 500 comprises contact element 518 and the elastic conductive component 520 being arranged in socket 512.Contact element 518 defines first surface 522 and second surface 524.Second surface 524 is configured to react on the second contact surface 516 of elastic conductive component 520 and socket 512.Elastic conductive component 520 reacts on the first contact surface 514 in being arranged on plasma torch time, so that electrode body 502 is pressed to and connects nozzle (not shown).In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 520 can react on the 3rd surperficial (not shown) in socket 512.
Contact element 518 defines the circular structure being designed to around power supply contact.Circular structure provides aligned portions 526 to limit the radial motion of electrode body 502 by reacting on power supply contact.By the diameter tapering part 528 less than the diameter of contact element 518, with respect to socket 512, keep in touch element 518 and elastic conductive component 520.In certain embodiments, tapering part 528 is the limiting surfaces that stop contact element 518 and elastic conductive component 520 for example, to depart from from electrode body 502 (socket 512).For example, the combination of tapering part 528 and contact element 518 stops elastic conductive component 520 to depart from from electrode body 502 by radial interference fit.In certain embodiments, conical surface 528 defines circular structure.In certain embodiments, socket 512 does not comprise tapering part 528, and with respect to 512 pairs of contact elements 518 of socket and elastic conductive component 520, does not carry out spacing.
Fig. 5 B illustrates the electrode of Fig. 5 A arranging with transferred arc pattern.Fig. 5 B illustrates the amplification view of the near-end 506 of electrode body 502 and power supply contact 540.Power supply contact 540 defines and extends axially part 542, extends axially part 542 and is configured to interact with the contact element of socket 512 and electrode 500.Extend axially part 542 define for respectively with the first contact surface 514 (for example being defined by socket 512) and first surface 522 electric connections of contact element 518 and/or the first respective surfaces 544 of physical contact and second respective surfaces 546 of electrode body 502.Power supply contact 540 also defines a part 548, and it is configured to the radial motion with restriction electrode body 502 corresponding to the tapering part 528 of electrode body 502.
In certain embodiments, electrode 500 is arranged in welding torch, make the first surface 522 of contact element 518 and the second respective surfaces 546 electric connections and/or physical contact of power supply contact 540, to be formed in welding torch operating process, with respect to electrode body 502, keep relatively static interface.The second surface 524 of contact element 518 is originally away from the second contact surface 516 of socket 512, and the first respective surfaces 544 of power supply contact is away from the contact surface 514 of electrode body 502.
In pilot arc operating process, guide current is by between power supply (not shown) and power supply contact 540.Guide current is passed to contact element 518 from power supply contact 540, and by elastic conductive component 520, arrives electrode body 502 from contact element 518, makes elastic conductive component 518 substantially carry whole pilot arc electric current.When electrode body 502 moves to produce electric arc away from nozzle (not shown), the second contact surface 516 moves to the second surface 524 of contact element 516 and forms and contact, and the first contact surface 514 moves to the first respective surfaces 544 formation of power supply contact 540 and contacts.Substantially all cutting currents are passed to electrode body 502 and are directly passed to electrode body by contact element 516 from power supply contact 540.In transferred arc operating process, elastic conductive component 520 does not carry the main magnitude of current.
In certain embodiments, the first respective surfaces 544 or the second respective surfaces 546 in transferred arc operating process substantially by all current delivery to electrode body 502.A plurality of respective surfaces 544,546 can reduce the physical abrasion on the first contact surface 514 of electrode body 502 or the first surface 522 of contact element 518.This structure by reduce to each in power supply contact 540 and contact element 518 and electrode body 502 between the relevant mechanical load of physical contact reduce wear.Reduce wear and can extend the life-span of electrode 500.
Fig. 6 A illustrates the cutaway view that comprises the contact element of the near-end that is arranged on electrode body and the exemplary electrode of elastic conductive component.Electrode 600 comprises electrode body 602, and electrode body 602 defines the near-end 606 of far-end 604 and the longitudinally contrary setting of axis A.Far-end 604 defines for receiving the hole 608 of transmitting part 610.Electrode 600 comprises contact element 612 and elastic conductive component 614.Contact element 612 defines the first contact surface 616 and the second contact surface 618, the first contact surface 616 is configured to and power supply contact electric connection and/or physical contact (seeing Fig. 6 B), and the second contact surface 618 is for respective surfaces 620 electric connections and/or physical contact with electrode body 602.The near-end 606 of electrode body 602 defines the contact surface 622 with power supply contact electric connection and/or physical contact.Electrode body 602 defines reaction surface 624, for reacting on elastic conductive component 614 to provide against the bias force of the reaction surface 624 of electrode body 602.The near-end 606 of electrode body 602 defines the first limiting surface 626, and this limiting surface (for example passing through radial interference fit) stops contact element 612 and elastic conductive component 614 to depart from.In certain embodiments, electrode body 602 does not comprise limiting surface 624, and contact element 612 and/or elastic conductive component 614 can depart from respect to electrode body 602.In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 614 is fixed to electrode body 602 or power supply contact 612 or both.
Contact element 614 defines circular structure and comprises the aligned portions 628 of restriction electrode body 602 radial motions.For example, aligned portions 628 can interact with the part 630 that extends axially of the near-end 606 of electrode body 602.The diameter of this part 630 is slightly less than the diameter of aligned portions 628, make part 630 can be slidably longitudinally axis A coordinate with aligned portions 628, and radially shake significantly.
Fig. 6 B illustrates the electrode of Fig. 6 A arranging with transferred arc pattern.The structure of Fig. 6 B comprises the power supply contact 640 with respect to near-end 606 settings of electrode body 602.Power supply contact 640 defines opening 642, and when electrode body 602 moves away from nozzle (not shown) under gas pressure, the near-end 606 of electrode body 602 is advanced and entered opening 642.Opening 642 and jack part 644 adjacency that substantially center around longitudinal axis A.Jack part 644 defines the first contact surface 646 and the second contact surface 648, the first contact surface 646 for contact element 612 electric connections and/or physical contact, the second contact surface 648 is for contact surface 622 electric connections and/or physical contact with electrode body 602.Jack part 644 is sized to also receive contact element 612 and elastic conductive component 614 except a part for the near-end 606 of electrode body 602.In certain embodiments, jack part 644 is sized to only receive the near-end 606 of electrode body 602.
In installation process, electrode 600 is arranged to make the first contact surface 646 electric connections and/or physical contact of first surface 616 and power supply contact 640, to be formed on interface relatively static with respect to electrode body 602 in welding torch operating process.The second surface 618 of contact element 612 is originally away from the respective surfaces 620 of electrode body, and the contact surface 622 of electrode body 602 is originally practically away from the second contact surface 648 of power supply contact 640.
In pilot arc operating process, guide current is by between power supply (not shown) and power supply contact 640.Guide current is passed to contact element 612 from power supply contact 640, and by elastic conductive component 614, arrives electrode body 602 from contact element 612, makes elastic conductive component 614 substantially carry whole pilot arc electric current.When electrode body 602 moves to produce electric arc away from nozzle (not shown), respective surfaces 620 moves to second surface 618 electric connections and/or the physical contact with contact element 612, and contact surface 622 moves to the second contact surface 648 electric connections and/or physical contact with power supply contact.Substantially all cutting currents are passed to electrode body 602 and are directly passed to electrode body 602 by contact element 612 from power supply contact 640.In transferred arc operating process, elastic conductive component 614 does not carry the main magnitude of current.
In certain embodiments, the first respective surfaces 646 or the second respective surfaces 648 are substantially led to electrode body 602 by all electric currents in transferred arc operating process.A plurality of respective surfaces 646,648 can reduce the physical abrasion on the first contact surface 622 of electrode body 602 or the first contact surface 616 of contact element 612.This structure reduces wear by reducing the mechanical load that between power supply contact 640 and each in contact element 612 and electrode body 602, physical contact is relevant.Reduce wear and can extend the life-span of electrode 600.
Fig. 7 A illustrates the exemplary contact element that embodies principle of the present invention, flexible member, and the partial exploded view of power supply contact.Two-piece type mains connection 700 comprises substantially power supply contact 702, contact element 704 and the flexible member 706 of longitudinally axis A alignment.Power supply contact 702 defines the hole 708 adjacent with cavity 710, and cavity 710 extends axially part 712 for what receive contact element 704.The diameter of part 712 is slightly less than the diameter of cavity 710.The second flexible member 714 is along the scope that extends axially of part 712 sizing radially, for example, to provide abundant friction with respect to cavity 710 to stop part 712 and contact element 704 and power supply contact 702 to depart from the radial motion of (frictional fit) Restricted Contact element 704.In certain embodiments, the second flexible member 714 is for example by beryllium copper, to be made and by the Louvertac of the Tyco Electronics Corp (Tyco Electronics Corp.) of Pennsylvanian Harrisburg tMspring.Other copper alloy also within the scope of the invention.In certain embodiments, the second flexible member 714 is coated with conducting metal, for example golden, silver, nickel, or tin.In certain embodiments, the second flexible member 714 is that part conduction and that make the electric current supplied by power supply (not shown) is by between power supply contact 702 and contact element 704.Flexible member 706 can make guide current transmit between power supply and electrode body in pilot arc elicitation procedure.
Power supply contact 702 defines the surface 716 of abutting aperture 708, with the first respective surfaces 718 to contact element 704 by current delivery, and first surface 718 and extension 712 adjacency.Contact element 704 also comprises for reacting on the second surface 720 contrary with first surface 718 of the first flexible member 706.Contact element 704 comprises from second surface 720 axial outstanding part 722 and diameter less than the internal diameter of flexible member 706, makes flexible member 706 around this part 722.This part 722 is configured to the near-end electric connection with welding torch electrode body (not shown).This part 722 defines circumferential surface 724 and end surfaces 726.In certain embodiments, circumferential surface 724, end surfaces 726, or both coordinate with the respective surfaces of electrode body.Flexible member 706 is connected to parts 728.The respective surfaces (not shown) that parts 728 are designed to react on electrode body is to provide the axial force (for example,, away from power supply contact 700) towards the far-end (not shown) of electrode body.In transferred arc operating process, gas pressure reacts on the gas reaction surface of electrode body and overcomes axial force so that electrode body is axially moved towards near-end, until circumferential surface 724, end surfaces 726, or both react on the appropriate section of electrode body.
In certain embodiments, parts 728 form one and are made by the material identical with flexible member 706 with flexible member 706.In certain embodiments, parts 728 are the parts that separate from flexible member 706 and/or make and be fixed to flexible member 706 by the material different with flexible member 706.Parts 728 are depicted as the ring washer that is connected to flexible member 706.Also can use other structure of parts 728, for example, around the adjacent shaft of flexible member 706 for example, to outside circular slab or sleeve design (being similar to the contact element 904 of discussing referring to Fig. 9).This structure makes in the stereogram of electrode body, to can't see flexible member 706, and electrode body can be moved substantially with parts 728 together with power supply contact 702.More specifically, parts 728 are static and can move with respect to contact element 704 and power supply contact 702 with respect to electrode body.
In certain embodiments, the first surface (not shown) of parts 728 is towards the respective surfaces of electrode body, and the second surface (not shown) of parts 728 is towards the end surfaces 726 of contact element 704.In transferred arc operating process, end surfaces 726 physical contacts of the second surface of parts 728 and contact element 704, and the first surface of parts 728 and electrode body physical contact, arrive the current path of electrode body to provide by power supply contact 702 and contact element 704 from power supply.
In certain embodiments, flexible member 706 is nonconducting, and conducting element (not shown) is provided to the current path of parts 728 in pilot arc operating process.Conducting element can be to be for example arranged to by soft soldering, and welding or other are set up the mode electrically contacting and these parts be electrically connected to wire or the bus of contact element 704 or power supply contact 702 between contact element 704 or power supply contact 702 and conducting element.
In transferred arc operating process, transferred arc electric current can via physical contact (for example, by circumferential surface 724, end surfaces 726, or both) between contact element 704 and electrode body, transmit.This structure can be passed to electrode body by guide current with the conducting element with relatively low rated current, and this allows to use relatively little conducting element.Less conducting element is conducive to reduce for example, physical interference between the movable part (, flexible member 706 and electrode body) of conducting element and torch system.Substantially all operating currents (for example, guide current and transferred arc electric current) are passed to electrode body by parts 728.
Fig. 7 B illustrates the parts of Fig. 7 A that is arranged to plasma welding torch operation.The part 712 of contact element 704 advances in cavity 710, and the inner surface (not shown) that the second flexible member 714 reacts on cavity 710 is to stop contact element 704 to depart from friction.The first respective surfaces 718 of contact element 704 is resisted against on the surface 716 with cavity 710 adjacency or physical contact with it, so that the current path from power supply contact 702 to contact element 704 to be provided.In certain embodiments, replaceable contact element 704 or flexible member 706 and do not change power supply contact 702.For example, because the interface between power supply contact 702 and contact element 704 (, interface between surface 716 and respective surfaces 718) static with respect to power supply contact 702, power supply contact 702 can image current path and actual interface (physical interface) structure of overlapping in wearing and tearing like that rapidly.In certain embodiments, contact element 704 and power supply contact 702 can form monomer (being for example manufactured from the same material) rather than two parts that separate.By replacing monomer power supply contact 108 with two-piece type mains connection 700 and by changing cathode block 116 to facilitate mains connection 700, the structure of Fig. 7 A and 7B can being used in example existing contact start plasma arc torch as shown in Figure 1.Mains connection 700 can be fixing relatively still with respect to electrode body by folder or pin as described above.
Fig. 8 A illustrates and is installed to plasma welding torch electrode body before, the cutaway view of another embodiment of elastic conductive component and contact element.Electrode 800 comprises electrode body 802, contact element 804 and the elastic conductive component 806 substantially aliging with respect to longitudinal axis A.Fig. 8 A illustrates the near-end 808 that can be arranged on the electrode 800 in plasma welding torch body (not shown).The feature of electrode body 802 is the shoulders 810 that radially extend from electrode body 802.Shoulder 810 defines first surface 812 and second surface 814.In certain embodiments, first surface 812 is as limiting surface, this limiting surface is configured to contact with the respective surfaces 816 of contact element 804 and prevents from existing axial force (for example, by elastic conductive component 806, gas pressure, or be that gravity provides in some cases) time, contact element 804 departs from electrode body 802.The second surface 814 of shoulder 810 is configured to coordinate to form reaction interface with the surface 818 of elastic conductive component 806.
Contact element 804 defines first surface 820 and second surface 822.First surface 820 design or be configured to is resisted against on the respective surfaces (not shown) of power supply contact (not shown) or is equipped with mutually and sets up physical contact and electric connection with this surface.The second surface 822 of contact element 804 designs or is configured to corresponding to the surface 826 being defined by electrode body 802.In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 806 coordinates to provide axial force with the second surface 822 of contact element 804.Contact element 804 defines socket 828.Socket 828 is sized to make elastic conductive component 806 to arrange and to be arranged in the socket 828 of contact element around a part 830 for electrode body 802.
In certain embodiments, in pilot arc operating process, first surface 820 and the power supply contact electric connection (and/or physical contact) of contact element 804.Power supply contact provides electric current to first surface 820, and this electric current crosses contact element 804 and transfers to second surface 822.Electric current can transmit via the interface between elastic conductive component 806 and second surface 822 between contact element 804 and elastic conductive component 806.Elastic conductive component 806 is provided for making electric current to pass through the current path between power supply contact and electrode body 802.For example, electric current is between the interface between surface 818 and the corresponding second surface 814 of shoulder 810 is by electrode body 802 and elastic conductive component 806.Generally speaking, when electrode 800 is installed on plasma welding torch, socket 828, elastic conductive component 806 and/or surface 812 coordinate to limit the radial motion of electrode body 802.
Fig. 8 B illustrates the structure of the parts of Fig. 8 A in transferred arc mode process.In pilot arc mode process, gas pressure reacts on electrode body 802, to overcome elastic conductive component 806, be used for traveling electrode body 802 vertically away from the pushing of near-end 808, surface 826 contacts with the corresponding second surface 822 of contact element 804 specifically.In this structure, can between contact element 804 and electrode body 802, directly form electric connection, and can be transferred arc operation increase electric current.In certain embodiments, contact element 804 defines the end surfaces 840 away from the surface 842 of electrode body 802.In certain embodiments, end surfaces 840 contacts or " touching the end " by reacting on surface 842, so that the second current path between contact element 804 and electrode body 802 to be provided.
Fig. 9 illustrates the cutaway view of another embodiment that embodies electrode of the present invention.Electrode 900 comprises substantially the electrode body 902 of longitudinally axis A alignment, contact element 904, and elastic conductive component 906.Electrode body 902 defines radially extensional surface 908, and this extensional surface for example can react on the surface 910 of elastic conductive component 906, to stop elastic conductive component 906 and electrode body 902 to depart from (clamping).Axially advance and oppress or by being pressed on surface 908 to form radial interference fit in elastic conductive component 906 or surface 910 longitudinally axis A.Also can stop with the cooperation of other type elastic conductive component 06 and electrode body 902 to depart from.
Contact element 904 defines socket 912, first surface 914, with second surface 916, first surface is for respective surfaces electric connection and/or the physical contact of the power supply contact with plasma welding torch (not shown), and second surface is for respective surfaces 918 electric connections and/or physical contact with electrode body 902.The size of socket 912 can be arranged to make the internal diameter of socket to be slightly smaller than the external diameter of elastic conductive component 906.Contact element 904 and socket 912 can be by being pressed in or oppressing on elastic conductive component 906 setting up a part and the friction between socket 912 or the cooperation of other type of elastic conductive component 906.In certain embodiments, can contact element 904 be fixed to elastic conductive component 906 and electrode 900 with alternative or additional link or fit structure.Generally speaking, when electrode 900 is arranged in plasma welding torch, socket 912 coordinates radially to limit electrode body 902 with elastic conductive component 906.
Figure 10 A embodies the exemplary contact element of principle of the present invention and the stereogram of elastic conductive component.System 1000 comprises contact element 1002 and is arranged on the elastic conductive component 1004 in the socket 1006 of contact element 1002.Contact element 1002 comprises and defines the flange 1008 of one or more through holes 1010 to promote to pass through around the gas of system 1000.In certain embodiments, when gas moves around electrode body, through hole 1010 makes gas with eddy motion, for example, with cooling electrode body or plasma welding torch.In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 1004 fixing or fastening (for example combination) is to contact element 1002.In certain embodiments, elastic conductive component 1004 is integrally formed with contact element 1002.
Figure 10 B is illustrated in the cutaway view of a part of the plasma welding torch of the parts that adopt Figure 10 A in pilot arc operating process.Welding torch 1020 comprises substantially the contact element 1002 of longitudinally axis A alignment, elastic conductive component 1004, electrode body 1022, and power supply contact 1024.In certain embodiments, power supply contact 1024 and power supply (not shown) electric connection.Power supply contact 1024 by torch component 1026 around, torch component 1026 coordinates to define gas passage 1030 with the outer surface 1028 of contact element 1004.Can be as discussed with reference to Fig. 2 A above supply gas to produce plasma arc and to process for workpiece.By discharging the gas pressure in welding torch 1020 around electrode body 1022 towards power supply contact 1024 mobile (for example, by the eddy current being guided around electrode body 1022 by fin 1032).Gas can flow through hole 1010 in contact element 1004 and along gas passage 1030 away from electrode body 1022.
In the embodiment shown, flange 1008 is arranged between the surface 1034 of torch component 1026 and the surface 1036 of ring of eddy 1038.In certain embodiments, the system 1000 of Figure 10 A is consumable parts and is arranged in welding torch 1020, and electrode body 1022 is changed more continually than system 1000.This for example can consume with changing electrode body 1022 easily needn't take welding torch 1020 apart.In certain embodiments, system 1000 is fixing with respect to power supply contact 1024 by interference fit.For example, system 1000 is positioned at welding torch 1020, and ring of eddy 1038 is for example, with respect to the outer surface 1040 fixing (passing through screw thread) of torch component 1026, with by flange 1008 with respect to torch component 1026, power supply contact 1024, and/or welding torch 1020 axially and/or is radially fixed.In certain embodiments, flange reacts on or is resisted against other parts of welding torch 1020.
One or more parts of system 1000 can form one with ring of eddy 1038.For example, flange 1008 can in conjunction with or be otherwise fixed to ring of eddy 1038 to form a body component.In certain embodiments, contact element 1002 is made by the material identical with ring of eddy 1038 in machine work or manufacture process.Flexible member 1004 can be joined or other fixing means is fixed to contact element 1002-ring of eddy 1038 combination by for example radial interference.In certain embodiments, flexible member 1004 is not fixed to contact element 1002 or ring of eddy 1038.
Electrode body 1022 can move towards power supply contact 1024 (for example passing through gas pressure), makes the surface 1042 of electrode body 1022 and the respective surfaces 1044 of contact element 1002 coordinate to set up electric connection and physical contact.Operate relevant electric current by between electrode body 1022 and contact element 1002 to the transferred arc of welding torch 1020.
Figure 11 A illustrates the exemplary contact element for contact start plasma arc torch.Contact element 1100 comprises first surface 1102, second surface 1104, extension 1106, and restricted part 1108.First surface 1102 is configured to the power supply contact (not shown) electric connection with plasma welding torch.For example, by the physical contact of the respective surfaces (not shown) with power supply contact, can set up electric connection.Second surface 1104 is configured to and electrode body (not shown), elastic conductive component or both electric connections.For example, can be by the physical contact foundation between second surface 1104 and the respective surfaces of electrode body and the electric connection of electrode body.In certain embodiments, the physical contact between power supply contact and first surface 1102 and the physical contact between electrode body and second surface are set up electric current and are flow through for example, path between power supply contact (, power supply) and electrode body.
The extension 1106 of contact element is adjacent with restricted part 1108.In certain embodiments, extension and restricted part form one (being for example manufactured from the same material).Extension 1106 is vertically outstanding from second surface 1104.As shown in the figure, extension 1106 defines the circular cross section with a diameter, but also can be other geometry.The width w of restricted part 1108 surpasses the diameter of extension 1106, and the thickness t of restricted part 1108 is less than this diameter.
Figure 11 B illustrates the contact element that rotates Figure 11 A of 90 ° around vertical axis.In certain embodiments, restricted part 1108 and extension 1106 edge the first orientations are as shown in Figure 11 B advanced in the socket of electrode body (not shown).The opening size adjacent with socket is arranged to make restricted part 1108 and extension 1106 can enter socket.Yet, around vertical axis, rotate (for example, as shown in Figure 1A) contact element 1100 and contact element 1100 can be positioned to a part that restricted part 1108 reacts on socket to stop contact element and electrode body disengaging.Contact element 1100 can be otherwise (for example by screw thread or pass through interference fit) is fixed to electrode body.
In some embodiments of the present invention, flexible member has minimum electric current or does not have electric current conduction between contact element and electrode body.Flexible member mainly provides the mechanical function towards nozzle pushing electrode body.For example, Figure 12 shows the cutaway view of the electrode embodiment that comprises this type of flexible member.Electrode 1700 comprises electrode body 1702, and it defines far-end 1704 and near-end 1708 that longitudinally axis A is oppositely arranged.The near-end 1708 of electrode body 1702 defines the socket 1724 centering around longitudinal axis A.
Electrode 1700 comprises contact element 1716, it has the first surface 1718 with power supply (not shown) electric connection, be suitable for the second surface 1720 contacting with the contact surface 1722 of electrode body 1724, and from second surface 1720, extend into the connector 1728 of socket 1724.Connector 1728 is configured to engage with electrode body 1702 slidably.For example, connector 1728 comprises the coaxial alignment part 1730 roughly with longitudinal axis A.In some embodiment, electrode body 1702 comprises the limited part 1732 of being located at socket 1724 near-ends, for reacting on connector 1728 or the alignment part 1730 of contact element 1716, thereby prevents the disengaging of contact element 1716.
Electrode 1700 comprises the conducting element 1712 of flexible member 1710 and electric wire or bus and so on, and conducting element 1712 is electrically connected to contact element 1716 or power supply (not shown) by electrode body 1702.The function of flexible member 1710 is for being roughly similar to the separation function with reference to the conductive elastic component 312 of figure 3A and 3B description.Yet flexible member 1719 is designed to transmit minimum current or delivered current not between contact element 1716 and electrode body 1702.
Yet in some embodiment, flexible member 1710 is by tellurium copper, silver, the electric conducting material of yellow gold or other alloy and so on is made.Thus, can between flexible member 1710 and electrode body 1702 surfaces, with the place that contact element 1716 formation contact, insulating material 1706 be set by flexible member 1710.Described insulating material is suitable for substantially preventing that electric current is passed to electrode body 1702 from flexible member 1710.In some embodiment, insulating material (not shown) can insert flexible member 1710 between flexible member 1710 and the surface of contact element 1715 and form with contact element 1716 place contacting.Described insulating material is suitable for substantially preventing that electric current from transmitting between contact element 1716 and flexible member 1710.In some embodiment, flexible member 1710 is made by the insulation of dielectric material and so on or the material of low electric conductivity.
Conducting element 1712 can be designed in pilot arc operating process, transmit roughly all pilot arc electric currents, or in transferred arc operating process, transmits roughly all electric currents, or their combination.In some embodiment, conducting element 1712 transmits roughly all pilot arc electric currents.More specifically, in pilot arc operating process, guide current passes through conducting element 1712 to electrode body 1702 between power supply and contact element 1716, and thus, conducting element 1712 carries roughly all pilot arc electric currents.
In some embodiment, in transferred arc pattern, conducting element 1712 transmits roughly all cutting currents between power supply and electrode body 1702, for example, and can be up to 20,50 according to the setting of torch system, or 100 amperes.Thus, because electrode body 1702 moves to generate electric arc to leave the direction of nozzle (not shown), can adopt the mechanism that prevents that electric current from directly transmitting between the second surface 1720 of contact element 1716 and the contact surface 1712 of electrode body 1702.For example, can between the second surface 1720 of contact element 1716 and the contact surface 1722 of electrode body, insert insulating material (not shown), substantially to prevent current delivery.Thus, in transferred arc operation, conducting element 1712 provides minimum resistance between contact element 1716 and electrode body 1702 and/or the path of maximum conductivity.
In other embodiment, in transferred arc operating process, conducting element 1712 is delivered current or only transmit minimum current not.Or, along with the contact surface 1722 of electrode body 1702 and the second surface of contact element 1716 form physical contact, the interface forming thus provides and from power supply to electrode body, between 1702, is delivered in transferred arc mode process the roughly direct circuit footpath of all electric currents.Particularly, described interface provides minimum resistance between contact element 1716 and electrode body 1702 and/or the path of maximum conductivity.
In some embodiment, in transferred arc operating process, by conducting element 1712 and the physical interface that forms when the second surface 1720 of contact element 1716 touches the contact surface 1722 of electrode body 1702, the two transmits electric current between contact element 1716 and electrode body 1702.A plurality of current paths can reduce the physical abrasion of electrode body 1702 and contact element 1716 by reducing the mechanical load relevant to physical contact, extend thus the life-span of electrode 1700.
Figure 13 shows another embodiment of electrode 1800, and it comprises and is configured to minimum current or there is no current delivery to the flexible member 1810 of electrode body 1802.The function of flexible member 1810 is for being roughly similar to the pushing function with reference to the conductive elastic component 312 of figure 3A and 3B description.According to Figure 12, the various mechanism that prevents that flexible member 1810 from carrying out electric current conduction has been described above.
Electrode 1800 comprises electrode body 1802, and it defines far-end 1804 and near-end 1808 that longitudinally axis A is oppositely arranged.The near-end 1808 of electrode body 1802 defines the socket 1824 centered by longitudinal axis A.Electrode 1800 also comprises contact element 1816, it has the first surface 1818 with power supply (not shown) electric connection, be suitable for the second surface 1820 with contact surface 1822 physical contacts of electrode body 1802, and from second surface 1820, extend into the connector 1827 of socket 1824.Connector 1827 is configured to engage with electrode body 1802 slidably.For example, connector 1827 comprises the coaxial alignment part 1830 roughly with longitudinal axis A.In some embodiment, electrode body 1802 comprises the limiting unit 1832 of being located at socket 1824 near-ends, to react on the alignment part 1830 of connector 1827 or contact element 1816, thereby prevents the disengaging of contact element 1816.In some embodiment, alignment part 1830 defines opening 1834, and it is configured to the first 1831 of the probe 1828 of holding portion intercalation electrode body 1802.As shown in the figure, opening 1834 is roughly centered by longitudinal axis A.
Probe 1828 comprises and extends into the first 1831 of socket 1824 and the second portion 1832 of intercalation electrode body 1802.First 1831 can be made into be had relatively compact tolerance and keeps constant contacting with at least a portion of the inner surface of opening 1834 in opening 1834.In transferred arc operating process, along with electrode body 1802 moves along the direction of leaving nozzle under gas pressure, the first 1831 of probe 1828 is advanced further and enters opening 1834, until the second surface 1840 of the first surface 1836 of surface 1838 contact openings 1834 of first 1831 and/or surface 1842 contact openings 1834 of second portion 1832.
Probe 1828 can be for the conducting probe made by copper alloy and/or for example, gold, silver, nickel, or the conducting probe electroplated of the metal material of tin and so on.In some embodiment, probe 1828 is configured to conduct roughly all pilot arc electric currents.For example, in pilot arc operating process, pilot arc electric current is passed to contact element 1816 and from contact element 1816, is passed to the first of conducting probe 1828 from power supply (not shown), and it forms the low resistance path that pilot arc electric current transmits during the course.After this, probe 1828 by pilot arc current delivery to electrode body 1802.
In some embodiment, in transferred arc pattern, by probe 1828, between power supply and electrode body 1802, transmitted substantially all cutting currents.More specifically, in transferred arc pattern, between the surface 1838 of first 1831 and the first surface 1836 of opening 1834 contact and/or the surface 1842 of second portion 1832 and the second surface 1840 of opening 1834 between the minimum resistance path providing between contact element 1816 and electrode body 1802 is provided.In some embodiment, because electrode body 1802 moves along the direction of leaving nozzle (not shown) in transferred arc operating process, can with and the design class described with reference to Figure 12 like mechanism prevent electric current directly transmission between the second surface 1820 of contact element 1816 and the contact surface 1812 of electrode body 1802.
In some embodiment, in transferred arc operating process, by probe 1828 and the current path that forms when the second surface 1820 of contact element 1816 touches the contact surface 1822 of electrode body 1802, the two transmits electric current between contact element 1816 and electrode body 1802.A plurality of current paths can reduce the physical abrasion of electrode body 1802 and contact element 1816 by reducing the mechanical load relevant to physical contact, extend thus the life-span of electrode 1800.
Figure 14 shows an embodiment again of electrode 1900, comprises and is configured to minimum current or there is no current delivery to the flexible member 1910 of electrode body 1902.The function of flexible member 1910 is for being roughly similar to the pushing function with reference to the conductive elastic component 312 of figure 3A and 3B description.According to Figure 12, the various mechanism that prevents that flexible member 1910 from carrying out electric current conduction has been described above.
Electrode 1900 comprises electrode body 1902, and it defines far-end 1904 and near-end 1908 that longitudinally axis A is oppositely arranged.The near-end 1908 of electrode body 1902 defines the socket 1924 centered by longitudinal axis A.Electrode 1900 also comprises contact element 1916, it has the first surface 1918 with power supply (not shown) electric connection, be configured to the second surface 1920 with contact surface 1922 physical contacts of electrode body 1902, and from second surface 1920, extend into the connector 1928 of socket 1924.Connector 1928 is configured to engage with electrode body 1902 slidably.For example, connector 1928 comprises the coaxial alignment part 1930 roughly with longitudinal axis A.In some embodiment, electrode body 1902 comprises the limiting unit 1932 of being located at socket 1924 near-ends, to react on the alignment part 1930 of connector 1927 or contact element 1916, thereby prevents the disengaging of contact element 1916.
Electrode body 1902 comprises part 1924, the small diameter that it extends axially into socket 1924 and defines the internal diameter that is less than the second flexible member 1940, thus make the second flexible member 1940 around part 1942.The second flexible member 1940 is configured to react on the surface 1944 of alignment part 1930 of contact element 1916 so that separating force to be provided.In transferred arc operating process, gas pressure pushes away nozzle by electrode body 1902 (not shown) and overcomes flexible member 1910 and the separating force of the second flexible member 1940, to move axially electrode body 1902 towards proximal end 1908 until the corresponding surface 1946 of the surface 1944 of aligned portions 1930 and part 1942 forms physical contacts.
The second flexible member 1940 can be for example the conducting element of being made by beryllium copper.Other conducting metals also fall into scope of the present invention.In some embodiment, in the elicitation procedure of pilot arc, the second flexible member 1940 is configured to transmit roughly all pilot arc circuit between contact element 1916 and electrode body 1902.In certain embodiments, in transferred arc operation, electric current by the second flexible member 1940 and the current path that forms when the surface 1944 of aligned portions 1930 touches the correspondence surface 1946 of part 1942 the two in transmission between contact element 1916 and electrode body 1902.In addition, because electrode body 1902 moves to generate electric arc along the direction of leaving nozzle (not shown), can with and the design class described with reference to Figure 12 like mechanism prevent electric current directly transmission between the second surface 1920 of contact element 1916 and the contact surface 1922 of electrode body 1902.
As shown in Figure 12-14, flexible member can be non-conductive, and is configured to mainly promote that electrode body moves to carry out the contact start of plasma welding torch.Or, in transferred arc operating process, can adopt one or more conducting element in pilot arc operating process, pilot arc electric current is passed to electrode body from power supply, or in transferred arc operating process, cutting current is passed to electrode body from power supply, or their combination.For example, the conducting element 1712 shown in Figure 12, the probe 1828 shown in Figure 13, or the second flexible member 1940 shown in Figure 14 can be made as suitable size and be designed to conduct a kind of or both are for the electric current of contact start plasma arc torch.After reading the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand and clear mode that can multiple combination is used these designs.
Figure 15 A is to be the partial perspective cutaway view for the assembly 1200 of contact start plasma arc torch.Assembly 1200 comprises electrode 1204, hollow body 1208, flexible member 1212, and power supply contact 1216.Electrode 1204 comprises electrode body 1220, and electrode body 1220 comprises and holds the far-end 1224 of launching part.Electrode 1204 also comprises that its position is away from the end 1232 of far-end 1224.With respect to far-end 1224, determine the position (for example,, near electrode body 1220) of end 1232.Electrode body 1220 comprises that one group of spiral groove 1236 is to lead to air-flow or ease of assembly part 1200 cooling.When assembly 1200 is arranged on welding torch (not shown), electrode 1204 can move along axis A, thereby for example engages with the inner surface 1240 of hollow body 1208 slidably.Hollow body 1208 comprises forward part 1244 and rear section 1248.In one embodiment, forward part 1244 comprises one or more hole 1252 from outer surface 1256 to inner surface 1240.Hole 1252 can make the to flow through gas of assembly 1200 carries out eddy motion with respect to axis A.There is this type of and be commonly referred to ring of eddy in order to generate the hollow body 1208 in the hole 1252 of eddy current air-flow.The simple change and the system as herein described that it should be understood that eddy current ring system hollow body 1208 can work in hollow body 1208 or in ring of eddy structure.It will also be appreciated that hollow body can be the part that welding torch is integrally formed.
The end 1232 of electrode 1204 comprises the axially extended part 1260 along axis A.Part 1260 along first direction (for example comprises, radially leave the direction of axis A) the first length 1264 (or distance) and for example, along second length 1268 (or distance) of second direction (, radially leave axis A and perpendicular to first direction).Hollow body 1208 comprises the shoulder 1272 (for example, being defined on inner surface 1240) arranging with respect to inner surface 1240.Shoulder 1272 also can become profile portion (contour), stage portion, or flange, and can there is multiple geometry (for example, semicircle, triangle, rectangle, or irregular polygon geometry) with respect to inner surface 1240.Shoulder 1272 defines first 1276 and second portion 1280.First 1276 and second portion 1280 match to form the forming open that the part 1260 of electrode 1240 can be mobile therein.More specifically, the distance that second portion 1280 leaves axis A is enough to make the second length 1268 to slide through betwixt.First 1276 matches to define the opening with groove 1284 with second portion 1280, and the size of groove 1284 is greater than the first length 1264 and is enough to make the first length 1264 to slide through betwixt.Electrode 120 is arranged in welding torch in the mode in hollow body 1208, so that part 1260 can move axially and back and forth pass the opening that goes out being defined by first 1276 and second portion 1280 along axis A.
Part 1260 also comprises surface 1288, and it comprises for the first area 1290 with flexible member 1212 electric connections with for the second area 1292 with power supply contact 1216 electric connections, for example, and the physical contact on the correspondence surface 1294 by power supply contact 1216.Flexible member 1212 is towards far-end 1224 elasticity pushing electrodes 1204.By when installing and the nozzle (not shown) of far-end 1224 physical contacts stop electrode 1204 to eject from welding torch.Nozzle is fixed to welding torch, thereby makes part 1260 (for example,, by first area 1290) and flexible member 1212 form physical contact.For example, install nozzle can push part 1260 make its pass groove 1284 and by the location positioning of first area 1290 for and flexible member 1212 form physical contacts.When nozzle installs, flexible member 1212 is compressed.
Flexible member 1212 is positioned between shoulder 1272 and the flange 1296 of power supply contact 1216.Flexible member 1212 is spacing or be fastened between hollow body 1208 (for example,, by shoulder 1272) and power supply contact 1216 (for example,, by flange 1296).Shoulder 1272 limits thus flexible member 1212 and promotes electrode 1204 contact resilient elements 1212 and power supply contact 1216.
Power supply contact 1216 and power supply (not shown) electric connection.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, power supply provides pilot arc electric current to power supply contact 1216, and described electric current flow to the first area 1290 of electrode 1204 via flexible member 1212 from flange 1296.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, plasma gas (not shown) flows around electrode, and described plasma gas increases the fluid pressure on electrode 1204.Described pressure makes electrode 1204 move axially and form physical contact towards power supply contact 1216.The physical separation of electrode 1204 and nozzle generates pilot arc in the plasma chamber (not shown) being formed between nozzle and electrode 1204.Pressure makes electrode 204 and power supply contact 1216 form physical contact and electric connection.When electrode 1204 and power supply contact form while contacting, within part 1260 is located at groove 1284.
In transferred arc operating process, transferred arc electric current flow to electrode 1204 from power supply via electric current contact 1216 by the physical contact between the second area 1292 on the surface 1288 of part 1260 and the corresponding surface 1294 of power supply contact 1216.In transferred arc operating process, gas pressure increases to be formed for processing the plasma jet of workpiece (not shown).
Although assembly 1200 is illustrated as first area 1290 and forms direct physical contact with flexible member 1212, other structures are also available.For example, flexible member 1212 can comprise for example separated contact surface (not shown) of air ring girth sheets and so on, and it is fixed to flexible member 1212 with physical contact and the electric connection of formation and electrode 1204.Similarly, electrodepositable or be coated with material on the correspondence surface 1294 of power supply contact 1216, makes electrode 1204 contact with electrodeposited coating or coat rather than power supply contact 1216 contact itself thus.This class formation also falls into scope of the present invention.
In some embodiment, forward part 1244 and the rear section 1248 of hollow body 1208 are integrally formed (for example, by identical material pieces, being made).In some embodiment, forward part 1244 and rear section 1248 are formed by different materials, and for example, forward part 1244 is made by insulating material, and rear section 1248 has electric conducting material to make.
In some embodiment, the size of groove 1284 is roughly greater than the first length 1264 to promote in hollow body 1208, around axis A, electrode 1204 to be carried out to some angular displacements (for example,, when part 1260 is located at groove 1284 when interior).Groove 1284 also can stop electrode 1204 around axis A angular displacement, for example, and by reacting on part 1260 to prevent angular displacement.In some embodiment, the first area 1290 on surface 1288 and second area 1292 are not copline or the region that does not form same surface.For example, first area 1290 can be vertically away from second area 1292, so that the part 1260 of electrode 1204 comprises axial step portion, and flange, or shoulder (not shown).
Figure 15 B is the three-dimensional exploded view of assembly 1200 shown in Figure 18 A, and wherein hollow body 1208 cuts a part.Figure 18 B shows the electrode in unassembled state 1204 before being installed to plasma welding torch (not shown), hollow body 1208, flexible member 1212, power supply contact 1216.In assembling process, electrode 1204 engages hollow body 1208 slidably, and electrode 1204 can be attached to hollow body 1208 without screw thread thus.There is shown the surface 1297 of flexible member 1212.When flexible member 1212 is positioned at welding torch, surface 1297 forms and contacts with the shoulder 1272 of hollow body 1208.First area 1290 moves through groove 1284 and forms physical contact and electric connection with at least a portion on the surface 1297 of flexible member 1212.
Figure 15 C is the front view of a part for assembly 1200 shown in Figure 18 A.Figure 15 C shows hollow body 1208, power supply contact 1216, and the surface 1297 of flexible member 1212.Not shown electrode 1204, but a plurality of parts of the electrode 1204 of describing with reference to figure 18A.Hollow body 1208 comprises shoulder 1272.Shoulder 1272 defines first 1276 and second portion 1280, the forming open that its part 1260 that matches to form electrode 1204 can be mobile therein.As shown in the figure, first 1276 and second portion 1280 coordinate to form groove 1284A and the 1284B in described opening, and when electrode 1204 is arranged in welding torch, the part 1260 of electrode 1204 can be passed wherein (for example,, by reciprocatingly sliding).In this structure, the groove 1284A of hollow body 1208 and 1284B have the shape with part 1260 complementations of electrode.The complementarity of groove 1284A and 1284B shape be embodied in its shape be made as can hold electrodes part 1260.Yet the shape of groove 1284A and 1284B matches without the shape of the part 1260 with electrode.On the contrary, the shape of groove 1284A and 1284B only needs to pass through the part 1260 of electrode.
In some embodiment, first 1276 and second portion 1280 coordinate to form and have a groove 1284A or 1284B but not the forming open of two grooves.Each groove 1284A and 1284B are defined by two parts 1285 that are parallel to each other.Part 1285 also can define other geometries or orientation, and for example, part 1285 can radially be pointed to axis A (for example, forming vee gutter).Part 1285 also can be circle, semicircle, or other curve shapes.Usually, part 1285 can define the part 1260 of any permission electrode through the geometry of shoulder 1272 (for example,, through the opening being defined by first 1276 and second portion 1280).
Axis A is to the distance d of second portion 1280 1be greater than axis A to the distance d of first 1276 2.Axis A is to the distance d of flexible member 1212 3be less than apart from d 1.In some embodiment, apart from d 3be less than apart from d 2(for example,, when annular plate (not shown) is fixed to flexible member 1212).Axis A is to the distance d of power supply contact 1216 4be less than apart from d 3, to promote second area 1292 to form physical contact and electric connection through flexible member 1212 and with the corresponding surface 1294 of power supply contact 1216.
In some embodiment, electrode 1204 needn't pass shoulder, for example, and when part 1260 and groove 1284A and 1284B are when unjustified.In this structure, part 1260 contact shoulders 1272, shoulder 1272 stops part 1260 to be passed.In some embodiment, electrode 1204 can be fixed in welding torch.For example, part 1260 can wholely form and contact (for example,, by first area 1290) with flexible member 1212 through shoulder 1272.Part 1260 is pressed flexible member 1212.Flexible member 1212 is towards far-end 1224 pushing electrodes 1204.When part 1260 is during around axis A angular displacement, the proximal face (not shown) of shoulder 1272 stops electrode 1204 distad to move.Part 1260 prevents that with the interaction of the proximal face of shoulder 1272 flexible member 1212 from ejecting electrode 1204 from hollow body 1208 and/or welding torch.
In some embodiment, part 1260 has the circular structure centered by axis A.In this type of embodiment, part 1260 comprise form physical contacts and electric connection with flexible member 1212 first area 1290 (for example, circular outer periphery circle of circular structure) and with power supply contact 1216 form the second area 1292 (for example, being located at the region in circular outer periphery circle) of physical contacts and electric connection.As previously mentioned, first area 1290 and second area 1292 can be copline (for example, the different piece on same surface) or non-copline (for example, the different piece of different surfaces).Replace in embodiment, first area 1290 can be radially extension (not shown) of the independence that arranges along the length of the longitudinal axis A of electrode 1204, as radially through the pin of electrode 1204.Radially the function of extension is identical with first area 1290, that is, and and as electrode 1204 being electrically connected to the mechanism of flexible member 1212 with conduction pilot arc.In one embodiment, radially extension is so elongated shoulder or pin, that is, it can still allow flexible member 1212 to remain in hollow body 1208 through shoulder 1272.In this embodiment, the position of shoulder 1272 is positioned at the more below of the axial length of hollow body 1208 along the direction of the distal end portion towards electrode.
Figure 16 A is the stereogram for the electrode 1300 of contact start plasma arc torch.Electrode 1300 is similar to the electrode 1204 shown in Figure 18 A.Described electrode comprises far-end 1304 and the second end 1308.The second end 1308 comprises along the axially extended extension 1312 of axis A.Extension 1312 defines three part 1316A, 1316B, and 1316C (also referred to as " fin "), and three parts are all extended away from axis A.Three part 1316A, 1316B, and each in 1316C defines the first length l 1with the second length l of growing than the first length l 1 2.In certain embodiments, three part 1316A, 1316B, and each the first length l in 1316C 1with the second length l 2value identical.Three part 1316A, 1316B, and each the first length l in 1316C 1with the second length l 2value also can be different.Length l 1 is shown and l2 direction is perpendicular to one another.In certain embodiments, length l 1and l 1in other structure, for example can be oriented to radially away from axis A respectively towards a 1320A and 1320B.Length l 1and l 2also can be towards other direction.
As shown in the figure, three part 1316A, 1316B, and in 1316C each with etc. angular separation structure (for example, part 1316A, 1316B, and in 1316C, the angle θ between each is about 120 °) around axis A, arrange.Yet, three part 1316A, 1316B, and 1316C can be arranged to around axis A other angle configuration of the angular separation such as non-.
Three part 1316A, 1316B, and each in 1316C comprises for the corresponding surface (not shown) electric connection with flexible member (not shown) and/or the corresponding first area 1324A of physical contact, 1324B, and 1324C.Three part 1316A, 1316B, and each in 1316C comprises for the corresponding surface (not shown) electric connection with power supply contact (not shown) and/or the corresponding second area 1328A of physical contact, 1328B, and 1328C.
As shown in the figure, each part 1316A, 1316B, and the first area 1324A of 1316C, 1324B, and 1324C is depicted as and corresponding second portion 1328A, 1328B, and 1328C is coplanar.In certain embodiments, first area 1324A, 1324B, and 1324C not with corresponding second area 1328A, 1328B, and 1328C is coplanar.In certain embodiments, second area 1328A, 1328B, and 1328C is not coplanar each other with other second area.In certain embodiments, the subset of three parts (for example, 1316A and 1316B) and flexible member electric connection, and other parts (for example, 1316C) not with flexible member electric connection.(surface area that alignment structures or increase for example, 1316C) can be provided is not to improve cooling to electrode with the part of flexible member electric connection.In transferred arc operating process, part 1316C is still movable to and power supply contact physical contact and electric connection.In certain embodiments, first area 1324A, 1324B, and 1324C or second area 1328A, 1328B, and 1328C or both can overlap with extension 1312.For example, by with extension 1312 electric connections (for example, by above-mentioned slip, electrically contacting), guide current and/or transferred arc electric current can flow through between power supply and electrode 1300.
Figure 16 B is the front view of the assembly 1340 that uses together with the electrode 1300 with Figure 16 A.Assembly 1340 comprises hollow body 1344, flexible member 1348, and power supply contact 1352.This assembly is similar to the assembly 1200 shown in Figure 15 C.Assembly 1340 is configured for the electrode 1300 of Figure 13 A.More particularly, hollow body 1344 comprises shoulder 1356, and it has first 1360 and second portion 1364, and these two parts coordinate to form and have three groove 1368A, 1368B, and the forming open of 1368C.Opening and three groove 1368A, 1368B, and 1368C promotion appropriate section 1316A, 1316B, and 1316C moves through opening and forms physical contact and electric connections with flexible member 1348.As mentioned above, groove 1368A is shown, 1368B, and the size of 1368C is about and part 1316A, 1316B, and 1316C's is measure-alike; But, groove 1368A, 1368B, and the comparable appropriate section 1316A of 1368C, 316B, and 1316C large (for example,, along circumferentially larger).
Figure 17 A-17B, 18A-18B, and 19 illustrate the electrode that is similar to above-described embodiment and operates and the replacement embodiment of assembly.
Figure 17 A is the stereogram that is used in the electrode 1400 of contact start plasma arc torch.Electrode 1400 comprises four part 1404A, 1404B, 1404C, and 1404D.
Figure 17 B is the front view of the assembly 1420 that uses together with the electrode 1400 with Figure 17 A.Assembly 1420 comprises hollow body 1424, hollow body comprises shoulder 1428, this shoulder 1428 comprises first 1432 and second portion 1436, and these two parts define has four groove 1440A, 1440B, 1440C, with the forming open of 1440D, to promote four appropriate section 1404A, 1404B, 1404C, and 1404D through forming open and with flexible member 1444 and power supply contact 1448 physical contacts and/or electric connection.
Figure 18 A is the stereogram that is used in the electrode 1500 of contact start plasma arc torch.Electrode 1500 comprises five part 1504A, 1504B, 1504C, 1504D, and 1504E.
Figure 18 B is the front view for the assembly 1520 of the electrode 1500 of Figure 18 A.Assembly 1520 comprises hollow body 1524, hollow body comprises shoulder 1528, shoulder defines forming open, to promote five appropriate section 1504A, 1504B, 1504C, 1504D, and 1504E through forming open and with flexible member 1532 and power supply contact 1536 physical contacts and/or electric connection.Electrode 1500 can be similar to the above-mentioned electrode 1204 for Figure 18 A, the electrode 1300 of Figure 16 A, and the mode of the electrode 1400 of Figure 17 A is used.
The value of the operating current of plasma welding torch can be included with special electrodes part quantity (for example, three part 1316A-1316C of Figure 16 A, four part 1404A-1404D of Figure 17 A, or five part 1504A-1504E of Figure 18 A) relevant or relevant.For example, the electrode that has three part 1316A-1316C is used in the welding torch of working under approximately 60 amperes in transferred arc operating process.The electrode with four part 1404A-1404D is used in the welding torch of working under approximately 80 amperes in transferred arc operating process.The electrode with five part 1504A-1504E is used in the welding torch of working under approximately 100 amperes in transferred arc operating process.Adopt Figure 16 A, 17A, and the electrode of the design shown in 18A can be respectively used to be configured with as Figure 16 B, 17B, and the welding torch of forming open shown in 18B.In certain embodiments, electrode can comprise five above parts.
By the quantity of fin is associated with welding torch operating current, can guarantee to use correct electrode for the given operating current of welding torch.For example, in the work of 60 amperes of welding torches, use and there are three groove 1368A, 1368B, and the hollow body 1344 of 1368C can receiving have respective numbers part (or " fin "), for example electrode of 60 of three part 1316A-1316C amperes.On the other hand, if user attempts be configured with three groove 1368A, 1368B, and use 100 amperes of electrodes in 60 amperes of welding torches of 1368C, and for example, thering is the electrode 1500 of five part 1504A-1504E, electrode 1500 and hollow body 1344 can mismatch.Five part 1504A-1504E are prevented from through three groove 1368A-1368C.By adopting this system, can optimize specific welding torch to special electrodes.Therefore, in certain embodiments, prevent user for example, by the electrode (, electrode 1500) with five fins for not for example, to the welding torch of this electrode optimization (welding torch, with three groove 1368A-1368C).In addition, stop the electrode (for example, electrode 1300) for example, with less fin (, three part 1316A-1316C) for example, for adopting more multiple-grooved (, five grooves of hollow body 1524) welding torch, this flows through by optimization the working life that the magnitude of current of electrode extends electrode.
Figure 19 is to be the stereogram that is used in the electrode 1600 of contact start plasma arc torch.Electrode 1600 comprises far-end 1604 and the second end 1608.The second end 1608 comprises extension 1612, and extension 1612 defines has diameter d 1surface 1616.Two region 1620A and 1602B 1616 extend along axis A from surface.Region 1620A and 1620B respectively define respective end surface 1624A and 1624B.End surfaces 1624A and 1624B can be used for respective surfaces (for example, the surface 1297 of the flexible member 1212 of Figure 15 C) physical contact and the electric connection with flexible member.The electric current causing for pilot arc flows through between flexible member (not shown) and electrode 1600 by surperficial 1624A and 1624B and region 1620A and 1620B.For example, when in pilot arc elicitation procedure, electrode 1600 moves (, along the direction of leaving far-end 1604) along the direction towards near-end, region 1620A and 1620B compression elastic element.Surface 1616 moves to the respective surfaces (not shown) with power supply contact (not shown), if surface 1294 physical contacts of the power supply contact 1216 of Figure 18 A and electric connection are to carry out transferred arc operation.
Region 1620A and 1620B also define corresponding extensional surface 1628A and 1628B.Region 1620A and 1620B can for example, through the groove 1284A of Figure 15 C and 1284B (the groove 1284A and the 1284B that, are defined by first 1276 and the second portion 1280 of shoulder 1272).Extension 1628A and 1628B can react on groove 1284A and 1284B with stop or opposing electrode 1600 in welding torch around the angular displacement of axis A.As shown in the figure, region 1620A and 1620B are arranged essentially parallel to axis A.Also can use other structure or the alignment structures of region 1620A and 1620B.Each in region 1620A and 1620B defines diameter group d 1little diameter d 2.
In certain embodiments, the second extension (not shown) extends and defines second surface (not shown) from surface 1616.Second surface can be parallel to surface 1616.(for example,, towards far-end 1604) can be extended to far-end to define the cavity (not shown) with respect to surface 1616 in the second end 1608 in the second extension.(for example,, along the direction of leaving far-end 1604) can be extended to near-end to define cylindrical or base-like part (not shown) in the second extension.In these embodiments, second surface is movable to the respective surfaces physical contact of power supply contact and electric connection to carry out transferred arc operation.
Region 1620A and 1620B each other diameter are oppositely arranged and apart from axis A equidistant from distance.In certain embodiments, electrode 1600 comprises plural region 1620A and 1620B (for example, being respectively used to Figure 16 B, 17B, and the assembly 1340,1420 of 18B, and 1520 three, four, or five regions).In certain embodiments, electrode 1600 only comprises a region 1620A or 1620B.In these embodiments, can parallel to the axis A or align with it of region 1620A or 1620B.In such an embodiment, shoulder (for example, shoulder 1272) can define and have substantially the opening of circumference (for example, there is no groove 1284) continuously.The internal diameter that the diameter of opening can be less than the external diameter of flexible member and be greater than flexible member is to stop flexible member to remove from welding torch.The diameter of region 1620A or 1620B is less than the diameter of opening but is greater than the internal diameter of flexible member, to promote the contact between region 1620A or 1620B and flexible member.
Figure 20 A shows the embodiment for the assembly 2000 of contact start plasma arc torch.Assembly 2000 comprises electrode 2004, hollow body 2008, flexible member 2012, contact element 2014 and power supply contact 2016.Electrode 2004 comprises electrode body 2020, and electrode body 2020 comprises and holds the far-end 2024 of launching part 2028.Electrode body 2020 comprises that one group of spiral groove 2036 is to lead to air-flow or ease of assembly part 2000 cooling.When assembly 2000 is arranged on welding torch, electrode 2004 can move along axis A, thereby for example engages with the inner surface 2040 of hollow body 2008 slidably.Hollow body 2008 comprises forward part 2044 and rear section 2048.In one embodiment, forward part 2044 comprises ring of eddy, and described ring of eddy comprises one or more hole 2052 from outer surface 2056 to inner surface 2040.Hole 2052 can make the to flow through gas of hole 2052 and assembly 2000 carries out eddy motion with respect to axis A.Ring of eddy can be integrally formed with hollow body 2008.Hollow body is the part being integrally formed of plasma welding torch also.In some embodiment, the inner surface 2040 of hollow body 2008 is made or is coated with insulating material by insulating material.
As shown in the figure, hollow body 2008 comprises the shoulder 2072 arranging with respect to inner surface 2040, the moving radially in hollow body 2008 with Restricted Contact element 2014.Contact element 2014 comprises the surperficial (not shown) with power supply contact 2016 electric connections.Contact element 2014 also comprises the axially extended part 2094 along axis A.Part 2094 is along extending to promote towards the direction in distally and the electric connection of the part 2060 of electrode body 2020 below shoulder 2072.Particularly, part 2094 defines for proximal face (not shown) with flexible member 2012 and forms the first surface 2096 of physical contact and for the second surface 2062 of the part 2060 with electrode body 2020, form the second surface 2098 of physical contacts.Except second surface 2062, part 2060 also comprises the first surface 2088 that forms physical contact for the distal surface (not shown) with flexible member 2012.Thus, flexible member 2012 is limited between the contact element 2014 and electrode 2004 in hollow body 2008.In some embodiment, flexible member 2012 is fixed to hollow body 2008 by radial interference fit.Flexible member 2012 is configured to apply separating force and push electrodes 2004 towards distal end portion 2024 to electrode 2004.By nozzle (not shown), prevent that electrode 2004 from ejecting from welding torch.Nozzle is fixed to welding torch, thereby makes part 2060 and flexible member 2012 form physical contact.For example, it can be to form physical contact with the distal surface of flexible member 2012 by the location positioning on the surface of electrode 2,004 2088 that nozzle is installed, and makes when nozzle installs, and flexible member 2012 is compressed.
Power supply contact 2016 and power supply (not shown) electric connection.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, power supply provides pilot arc electric current to power supply contact 2016, and then described current delivery to contact element 2014.In some embodiment, flexible member 2012 conductions, pilot arc electric current is passed to the surface 2088 of electrode 2004 via flexible member 2012 from contact element 2014 thus.In other embodiment, flexible member 2012 is non-conductive, can adopt thus anyly with reference to the described device of figure 12-14, pilot arc electric current to be conducted to electrode 2004 from contact element 2014.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, plasma gas (not shown) flows around electrode, and described plasma gas increases the fluid pressure on electrode 2004.Described pressure overcomes the separating force that flexible member 2012 applies and electrode 2004 is moved axially towards power supply contact 2016.Physical separation between formed electrode 2004 and nozzle generates pilot arc in the plasma chamber (not shown) being defined by nozzle and electrode 2004.More specifically, the second surface 2062 of pressure traveling electrode 2004 also makes it to form physical contact with the second surface 2098 of contact element 2014, to carry out transferred arc operation.In some embodiment, contact element 2014 is fixed in hollow body 2008.
In transferred arc operating process, transferred arc electric current flow to contact element 2014 from power supply.In some embodiment, electric current flow to electrode 2004 by the physical contact between the surface 2098 of part 2094 and the surface 2062 of part 2060 from contact element 2014.In other embodiment, electric current flow to electrode 2004 by other devices of describing with reference to figure 12-14 from contact element 2014 above.In transferred arc operating process, along with electric current increases, gas pressure increases to be formed for processing the arc cutting of workpiece (not shown).
Figure 20 B is the three-dimensional exploded view of assembly 2000 shown in Figure 20 A, and wherein hollow body 2008 cuts a part.Figure 20 B shows the electrode in unassembled state 2004 before being installed to plasma welding torch (not shown), flexible member 2012, hollow body 2008, contact element 2014, and power supply contact 2016.In assembling process, contact element 2014 axially inserts hollow body until the proximal face Restricted Contact element 2014 of the shoulder 2072 of hollow body 2008.Flexible member 2012 inserts hollow body 2008 until the proximal face 2099 of flexible member 2012 forms and contacts with the surface 2096 of contact element 2014 in hollow body 2008.Electrode 2004 engages hollow body 2008 slidably, and electrode 2004 can be assembled to hollow body 2008 without screw thread thus.Electrode 2004 is suitable for contacting with the distal surface 2097 of flexible member 2012 in hollow body.In some embodiment, before assembling, flexible member 2012 is connected to contact element 2014 or is integrally formed therewith.In some embodiment, before assembling, flexible member 2012 is integrally formed or is connected to electrode 2004 with electrode 2004.
In some embodiment, hollow body 2008, power supply contact 2016, flexible member 2012, and at least one in electrode 2004 is the consumable part of plasma welding torch.In other embodiment, hollow body 2008, power supply contact 2016, flexible member 2012, and one or more in contact element 2014 is combined into the single consumable part of plasma welding torch.
Figure 21 A shows according to the partial cross-sectional perspective view of the assembly 2100 for contact start plasma arc torch of the embodiment of the present invention.Shown in assembly comprise electrode 2104, hollow body 2108, flexible member 2112, the first contact element 2114, the second contact elements 2115, and power supply contact 2116.Electrode 2104 and hollow body 2108 are roughly the same with the electrode 2014 shown in Figure 20 A and hollow body 2008 respectively.The second contact element 2115 can be made by material relatively hard and conduction, stainless steel for example, chromium-copper, nickel, or beryllium copper.The second contact element 2115 can be by making with the identical or different material of the first contact element 2114.This assembly is better because flexible member 2112 is limited in the concrete region of this assembly flexible member 2112 simultaneously can push as required welding torch a plurality of parts so that its be in contact with one another or be separated.
More specifically, hollow body 2108 comprises the first shoulder 2172, and its inner surface 2140 with respect to hollow body 2108 arranges to limit the first contact element 2114 moving radially in hollow body 2108.Hollow body 2108 also comprises the second shoulder 2173, and it arranges to limit the second contact element 2115 moving radially towards distal end portion 2124 with respect to inner surface 2140.The first contact element 2114 comprises the surperficial (not shown) with power supply contact 2116 electric connections.The first contact element 2114 also comprises the axially extended part 2194 along axis A.Part 2194 is extended below shoulder 2172 along distal direction 2124.Part 2194 defines for proximal face (not shown) with flexible member 2112 and forms the first surface 2196 of physical contact and for the second surface 2162 with the second contact element 2114, form the second surface 2198 of physical contacts.Except second surface 2198, the second contact elements 2115 also comprise the first surface 2188 that forms physical contact for the distal surface (not shown) with flexible member 2112.The second contact element 2115 also comprises the three surperficial (not shown) relative with first surface 2188 that forms physical contact and electric connection for the part 2160 with electrode 2104.Thus, flexible member 2112 is limited between the first contact element 2114 and the second contact element 2115 in hollow body 2108.In some embodiment, flexible member 2112 is fixed to electrode body 2108 by radial interference fit.Flexible member 2112 is configured to apply separating force and push the second contact element 2115, the second contact elements 2115 towards distal direction to the second contact element 2115 distad hold 2124 pushing electrodes 2114.By shoulder 2173, prevent that the second contact element 2115 from ejecting and preventing that by nozzle (not shown) electrode 2104 from ejecting from welding torch from welding torch.Nozzle is fixed to welding torch, thereby makes part 2160 and second contact element 2115 physical contacts of electrode 2104, the second contact element 2115 contact resilient elements 2012.For example, nozzle is installed and part 2160 can be positioned to form physical contact with the second flexible member 2115, make when nozzle installs, flexible member 2112 is subject to the compression of the second contact element 2115.
Power supply contact 2116 and power supply (not shown) electric connection.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, power supply provides pilot arc electric current to power supply contact 2116, and described current delivery to the first contact element 2114.In some embodiment, flexible member 2112 conduction, pilot arc electric current is passed to the second contact element 2115 from the first contact element 2114 via flexible member 2112 thus, and the second contact element 2115 by current delivery to electrode 2104.In some embodiment, can adopt anyly with reference to the described device of figure 12-14, pilot arc electric current to be conducted to electrode 2104 from the first contact element 2114 via the second contact element 2115.In pilot arc elicitation procedure, plasma gas (not shown) flows around electrode, and described plasma gas increases the fluid pressure on electrode 2104.Described pressure overcomes the power that flexible member 2112 applies and electrode 2104 is axially moved backward, makes thus the second contact element 2115 towards the first contact element 2114 translations.Physical separation between formed electrode 2104 and nozzle generates pilot arc in the plasma chamber (not shown) being formed between nozzle and electrode 2104.More specifically, pressure traveling electrode 2104 also makes it and the second contact element 2115 forms physical contacts, and the second contact element 2115 by part 2160 pushings of electrode 2104 to form physical contact with the first contact element 2114, thereby carry out transferred arc operation.In some embodiment, contact element 2114 is fixed in hollow body 2108, and the second contact element 2115 can be with respect to the first contact element 2114 translations between the first shoulder 2172 and the second shoulder 2173.
In transferred arc operating process, transferred arc electric current flow to the first contact element 2114 from power supply.In some embodiment, the current path generating during the surface 2162 of surface 2198 contact second contact elements 2115 of electric current by the first contact element 2114 flow to the second contact element 2115 from the first contact element 2114.After this, this electric current is passed to electrode 2104 from the second contact element 2115.In certain embodiments, electric current flow to electrode 2004 via other devices of describing with reference to figure 12-14 from contact element 2014 above.In transferred arc operating process, gas pressure increases to be formed for processing the plasma jet of workpiece (not shown).
Figure 21 B is the three-dimensional exploded view of assembly 2100 shown in Figure 21 A, and wherein hollow body 2108 cuts a part.Figure 21 B shows the electrode in unassembled state 2104 before being installed to contact start plasma arc torch (not shown), hollow body 2008, the second contact elements 2115, flexible member 2112, the first contact element 2114, and power supply contact 2016.In some embodiment, before miscellaneous part is installed, the second contact element 2115 and flexible member 2112 are installed between the first shoulder 2172 and the second shoulder 2173 in hollow body 2108 in advance.
In some embodiment, hollow body 2108, power supply contact 2116, the first contact element 2114, the second contact elements 2115, flexible member 2112, and at least one in electrode 2104 is the consumable part of plasma torch.In other embodiment, hollow body 2108, power supply contact 2116, the first contact element 2114, the second contact elements 2115, one or more in flexible member 2112 is combined into the single consumable part of plasma welding torch.
Although specifically illustrate and described the present invention with reference to specific embodiment, those skilled in the art is to be understood that and can carries out the various changes of form and details and not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention that appended claims defines it.For example, although some surface is shown, be plane, also can use and can there is other nonplanar geometry, such as spherical, hemisphere, the surface of taper shape and/or cylindrical geometries and do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Should be understood that and can combine in many ways many aspects of the present invention and embodiment.For example, the aspect of Figure 21 can with the electrode combination of Fig. 3 A, and the invention of Figure 13 can with the assembly combination of Figure 20 A.According to the instruction of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art can easily judge how to combine these embodiment.

Claims (51)

1. for parts for contact start plasma arc torch, described parts comprise:
Hollow body, described hollow body defines the passage with longitudinal axis, and described passage can be along described longitudinal axis hold electrodes body slidably; And
Contact element, it is located in described hollow body and comprises first surface and second surface, when operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, described first surface promotes the electric connection with power supply, and the surface of described second surface and described electrode body forms physical contact, wherein said second surface is characterised in that, when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, the surface of described second surface and described electrode body does not form physical contact.
2. parts as claimed in claim 1, also comprise ring of eddy part, and described ring of eddy partly defines exterior section, interior section and passes through one or more hole to described interior section from described exterior section, so that fluid forms eddy motion.
3. parts as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ring of eddy part is integrally formed with described hollow body.
4. parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow body comprises ring of eddy part.
5. parts as claimed in claim 1, also comprise flexible member, and when described electrode body inserts described passage, described flexible member contacts described electrode body, and wherein said flexible member is configured to apply separating force to described electrode body.
6. parts as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flexible member is fixed to described passage by radial interference fit.
7. parts as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flexible member is connected to described contact element.
8. parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact element maintains static.
9. parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passage comprises for limiting the shoulder vertically moving of described contact element.
10. parts as claimed in claim 1, the inner surface of wherein said passage comprises insulating material.
11. parts as claimed in claim 1, also comprise power supply contact, the first surface electric connection of itself and described power supply and described contact element.
12. 1 kinds of methods that operate contact start plasma arc torch, described method comprises:
Longitudinally axis is slidably received within electrode body in passage, and described passage is defined by the hollow body of the parts of described plasma welding torch;
When operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, promote 1) power supply and be located at the electric connection between the first surface of the contact element in described passage, and 2) physical contact between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body; And
When operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, keep not forming physical contact between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body.
13. methods as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: by the inner surface that makes fluid reach described parts from the outer surface of described parts by one or more hole, make fluid form eddy motion.
14. methods as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: by the flexible member of being located between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body, to described electrode body, apply separating force.
15. methods as claimed in claim 14, also comprise: described flexible member is connected to described contact element.
16. methods as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: in described passage, limit vertically moving of described contact element.
17. methods as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: make the inner surface insulation of described passage.
18. methods as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: promote electric connection, wherein said power supply contact and described power supply electric connection between power supply contact and the first surface of described contact element.
19. 1 kinds of parts for contact start plasma arc torch, described parts comprise:
Hollow body, described hollow body defines the passage with longitudinal axis, and described passage can be along described longitudinal axis hold electrodes body slidably; And
The first contact element, it is located in described hollow body and comprises the first contact element surface and the second contact element surface, and described the first contact element surface promotes the electric connection with power supply; And
Additional contact element, it is located in described hollow body and comprises the first additional contact element surface and the second additional contact element surface, when operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, the described first additional contact element surface physics contacts described the second contact element surface, and the described second additional contact element surface physics contacts the surface of described electrode body.
20. parts as claimed in claim 19, also comprise ring of eddy part, and it defines exterior section, interior section and passes through one or more hole to described interior section from described exterior section, so that fluid carries out eddy motion.
21. parts as claimed in claim 21, wherein said ring of eddy part is integrally formed with described hollow body.
22. parts as claimed in claim 19, also comprise described the second contact element surface and the described first flexible member adding between contact element surface be located in described passage, wherein said flexible member is configured to apply separating force to described additional contact element.
23. parts as claimed in claim 22, wherein said flexible member is fixed to described passage by radial interference fit.
24. parts as claimed in claim 22, wherein said flexible member is connected at least one in described the first contact element or described additional contact element.
25. parts as claimed in claim 19, wherein said the first contact element maintains static.
26. parts as claimed in claim 19, wherein said additional contact element can be with respect to described the first contact element translation.
27. parts as claimed in claim 19, the inner surface of wherein said passage comprises insulating material.
28. parts as claimed in claim 19, also comprise power supply contact, and it is communicated with the first contact element surface electrical of described power supply and described the first contact element.
29. 1 kinds of methods that operate contact start plasma arc torch, described method comprises:
Longitudinally axis is slidably received within electrode body in passage, and described passage is defined by the hollow body of the parts of described plasma welding torch;
Promote power supply and be located at the electric connection between the first contact element surface of the first contact element in described passage; And
When operating described plasma welding torch with transferred arc pattern, promote 1) the second contact element surface of described the first contact element and the physical contact of being located between the first additional contact element surface of the additional contact element in described passage, and 2) physical contact between the surface of the surperficial and described electrode body of the second additional contact element of described additional contact element.
30. methods as claimed in claim 29, also comprise: by the inner surface that makes fluid reach described parts from the outer surface of described parts by one or more hole, make described fluid form eddy motion in described parts.
31. methods as claimed in claim 29, also comprise: by the flexible member of being located between described the second contact element surface and the described first additional contact element surface, to described additional contact element, apply separating force.
32. methods as claimed in claim 31, also comprise: described flexible member is attached to at least one in described the first contact element or described additional contact element.
33. methods as claimed in claim 29, also comprise: in described transferred arc mode process, make described additional contact element with respect to described the first contact element translation.
34. methods as claimed in claim 29, also comprise: make the inner surface insulation of described passage.
35. methods as claimed in claim 29, also comprise: promote electric connection, wherein said power supply contact and described power supply electric connection between power supply contact and the first contact element surface of described the first contact element.
36. 1 kinds of assemblies for contact start plasma arc torch, described assembly comprises:
Hollow body, described hollow body defines longitudinal axis, and described hollow body can be along described longitudinal axis hold electrodes body slidably; And
Contact element, it is located in described hollow body and comprises first surface and second surface, when described electrode body inserts described hollow body, described first surface can promote the electric connection with power supply, and described second surface can physical contact described in the surface of electrode body; And
Flexible member, it is connected to the described contact element in described hollow body, when described electrode body inserts described hollow body, electrode body and apply separating force to the surface of described electrode body described in described Connection Element physical contact.
37. assemblies as claimed in claim 36, wherein, when operating with pilot arc pattern, described flexible member by roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body.
38. assembly as claimed in claim 36, also comprises conducting element, when with pilot arc pattern operation welding torch, described conducting element by roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body.
39. assemblies as claimed in claim 36, the consumable part that wherein said assembly is described plasma welding torch.
40. assemblies as claimed in claim 36, wherein said assembly also comprises nozzle, shielding part, ring of eddy or position-limiting cover or their combination.
41. assemblies as claimed in claim 36, wherein said flexible member and described contact element form physical contact.
42. 1 kinds of electrodes for contact start plasma arc torch, described electrode comprises:
The slender electrode body being formed by electric conducting material, described electrode body defines longitudinal axis;
The contact element that comprises first surface and second surface, when operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, described first surface promotes the electric connection with power supply, and described second surface can physical contact described in the surface of electrode body;
Be located at the near-end of described electrode body and the flexible member between described contact element, described flexible member applies separating force between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body; And
Conducting element, it is for 1) when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, by at least roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body, or 2) when operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, by at least roughly all transferred arc current delivery to described electrode body, or 1) and 2) combination.
43. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, also comprise and be located between described flexible member and described electrode body or be located between described contact element and described flexible member, or be located at the insulating material of these two positions, to prevent that described flexible member from passing to described electrode body by least one in described pilot arc electric current or transferred arc electric current.
44. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, wherein said flexible member is made by non-conducting material.
45. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, wherein said conducting element is the electric wire with described contact element and described electrode body electric connection.
46. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, wherein said conducting element is to embed at least partly the probe of described electrode body, described probe is suitable for the physical contact of maintenance and described contact element.
47. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, wherein said conducting element is be connected at least a portion of described electrode body and form the second flexible member of physical contact with described contact element.
48. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, wherein said conducting element is configured to transmit roughly all described pilot arc electric current and transferred arc electric current.
49. electrodes as claimed in claim 42, also comprise the insulating material of being located between the second surface of described contact element and the surface of described electrode body, to prevent that described transferred arc electric current is passed to described electrode body from described contact element in described transferred arc mode process.
50. 1 kinds for making contact start plasma arc torch and power supply form the electrode of electric connection, and described electrode comprises:
The slender electrode body being formed by electric conducting material, described electrode body defines longitudinal axis; And
The flexible member of the near-end of close described electrode body, described flexible member can 1) when operating described welding torch with pilot arc pattern, by at least roughly all pilot arc current delivery to described electrode body, with 2) when operating described welding torch with transferred arc pattern, by least roughly all transferred arc current delivery to described electrode body.
51. 1 kinds of methods that operate contact start plasma arc torch, described method comprises:
Be provided for the electrode of described plasma welding torch, described electrode comprises electrode body, and described electrode body defines longitudinal axis, and described electrode body comprises the near-end near flexible member;
In the pilot arc operating process of described welding torch, by described flexible member by least roughly all pilot arc current delivery being generated by power supply to described electrode body; And
In the transferred arc operating process of described welding torch, by described flexible member by least roughly all transferred arc current delivery being generated by described power supply to described electrode body.
CN201280066360.0A 2012-01-06 2012-12-06 Electrode for contact start plasma arc torch and the contact start plasma arc torch using the electrode Active CN104081882B (en)

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