Split-flow nozzle for energy beam system

Claim 1

In an apparatus for generating an energy beam, said apparatus including a sine wave generator having a tank coil formed of a hollow electrically conductive tube, and a system for supplying fluid through said tube, the improvement of a nozzle adapted to be attached at one end of said tube comprising: a first hollow elongated sleeve having first and second ends; an elongated hollow electrode having first and second ends and a central passage therethrough, said hollow electrode being mounted radially interiorly of said first sleeve and spaced radially interiorly thereof to define an air gap therebetween; said hollow electrode closing the second end of said first sleeve; the first end of said hollow electrode being recessed axially inwardly of the first end of said first sleeve; and an aperture extending radially through said hollow electrode to define a fluid path between said passage of said hollow electrode and said air gap; whereby upon the application of fluid through said tube and upon activating said sine wave generator, a laminar fluid flow is produced by said nozzle including an inner column of fluid flowing solely through said electrode and emanating outwardly from said nozzle at the electrode first end and conducting said energy beam to a target, and simultaneously a second column of fluid flowing through said aperture and said air gap and emanating between said electrode first end and said first sleeve first end and surrounding and sheathing said energy beam.

Claim 11

A method of positioning the beam of energy emanating from the electrode of an energy beam system, said energy beam system including a sine wave generator having a tank coil formed of a hollow electrically conductive tube, and a system for supplying fluid through said tube to a nozzle adapted to be attached at one end of said tube, comprising the steps of: positioning an elongated hollow electrode having a central passage therethrough radially interiorly and axially inwardly of said sleeve and spaced apart therefrom to define an air gap therebetween, said electrode having an aperture therethrough to interconnect said central passage of the hollow electrode with the air gap; and adjusting the amount of fluid flowing through said aperture and through said air gap so that a laminar fluid flow is produced by said nozzle including an inner column of fluid emanating from said nozzle and conducting said energy beam to a target and a second fluid flow path through the hollow nozzle, through said aperture and through said air gap and emanating as a second column of fluid between said electrode and said first sleeve and surrounding and sheathing and focusing said beam of energy; said energy beam emanating from a position offset from the center of said hollow electrode.

Claim 12

A method of positioning the beam of energy emanating from the electrode of an energy beam system, said energy beam system including a sine wave generator having a tank coil formed of a hollow electrically conductive tube, and a system for supplying fluid through said tube to a nozzle adapted to be attached at one end of said tube, comprising the steps of: positioning an elongated hollow electrode having a central passage therethrough radially interiorly and axially inwardly of said sleeve and spaced apart therefrom to define an air gap therebetween, said electrode having an aperture therethrough to interconnect said central passage of the hollow electrode with the air gap; and adjusting the amount of fluid flowing through said aperture and through said air gap so that a laminar fluid flow is produced by said nozzle including an inner column of fluid emanating from said nozzle and conducting said energy beam to a target and a second fluid flow path through the hollow nozzle, through said aperture and through said air gap and emanating as a second column of fluid between said electrode and said first sleeve and surrounding and sheathing and focusing said beam of energy; said energy beam emanating from a position offset from the center of said hollow electrode.