US3787247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water-scrubber cutting table
Assignee: Hypertherm Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-06
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-04-06
Abstract
Abstract The cutting table disclosed herein is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a plasma arc cutting torch in a system in which the torch is traversed in a pattern over a metal plate workpiece to perform a desired cutting operation. The cutting table supports the workpiece at a multiplicity of points and includes means for containing a body of water with a surface in contact or at least close proximity with the bottom of the plate. Accordingly, as the high velocity gases performing the cutting impinge upon the body of water, they are forcefully intermixed therewith. Accordingly, the particulate pollutants entrained in the gas jet are effectively scrubbed out, rather than being carried into the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 R Couch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:28
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K7/00; B23K7/002; B23K10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
A workpiece supporting table as in claim 1 wherein said workpiece supporting members are parallel slats.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
A workpiece supporting table as in claim 2 wherein said slats are removably supported on edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a plasma jet metal plate cutting system in which a plasma jet torch is traversed over a workpiece in a desired cut pattern, a workpiece supporting table comprising: a plurality of workpiece supporting members providing a plurality of workpiece supporting points, which points lie in a common, horizontal plane; means for containing a body of water with its upper surface substantially coincident with said plane, with said supporting members being substantially immersed in said water, the high velocity gases emerging from said torch together with entrained oxide particles generated by the cutting operation being forcefully impinged upon said water surface and being forcefully intermixed with the water thereby to substantially remove particulate pollutants from the gases prior to their release to the surrounding atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A workpiece supporting table as in claim 4 wherein said workpiece supporting members are parallel slats clamped on edge in brackets located beneath the water surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
A plasma jet metal plate cutting system comprising: a plasma jet torch; a plurality of workpiece supporting members providing a plurality of workpiece supporting points, which points lie in a common, horizontal plane; means for traversing said torch in a desired cut pattern over a workpiece supported on said members; means for containing a body of water with a free surface closely adjacent and substantially parallel to said plane, with said supporting members being at least partially immersed in said water, the high velocity gases emerging from said torch together with entrained oxide particles generated by the cutting operation being forcefully impinged upon said free water surface and being forcefully intermixed with the water thereby to substantially remove particulate pollutants from the gases prior to their release to the surrounding atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cutting system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said traversing means includes a beam cantilevered over said cutting table, means for traversing said torch along the beam, and means for traversing said beam over said table in a direction transverse to the beam.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of cutting metal plate with a minimum generation of particulate atmospheric pollutants comprising: providing a body of water with a horizontal upper surface; supporting a metal plate workpiece horizontally and closely adjacent said water surface, the upper surface of the body of water being substantially coincident with the bottom surface of the workpiece; traversing a flame cutting torch over said plate to generate a cut in a desired patern, the high velocity gases emerging from said torch being forcefully impinged upon said water surface and being forcefully intermixed with the water thereby to substantially remove particulate pollutants from said gases, prior to their release to the surrounding atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of cutting metal plate as set forth in claim 8 wherein said torch is a plasma arc torch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |