US4656330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plasma jet torch having converging anode and gas vortex in its nozzle for arc constriction
Assignee: Saint Gobain Abrasives Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-10
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An electric arc or plasma jet torch or heater has water-cooled electrode structures and a working gas injection arrangement which produce efficiently a very stable arc of maximum length at operating currents ranging from 20 amps to more than 400 amps so that the same torch can be used to satisfy a wide range of heating requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:32
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/26; H05H1/32; H05H1/34; H05H1/3405; H05H1/3436; H05H1/3484; H05H1/3452; H05H1/3468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A plasma jet torch comprising a first nozzle-type anode having an entrance end and an exit end and an axial bore which converges uniformly from said entrance end to said exit end, a second nozzle-type anode positioned collinearly to the first anode at said exit end thereof, said second anode having a bore which is appreciably larger in diameter than said first anode bore at said exit end so that there is a sharp knife-edge transition between the two bores, said anode bores forming an arc passageway having a longitudinal axis, a cathode mounted on said axis and having a portion extending adjacent to said first anode entrance end, means for introducing a strong swirl of working gas into said arc passageway at a location therein adjacent to said first anode entrance end, the general plane of which swirl is perpendicular to said axis and means for applying a direct current voltage between said cathode and said second anode so that said torch can operate in a nontransferred arc mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A plasma jet torch comprising a first nozzle-type anode having an entrance end and an exit end and an axial bore which converges uniformly from said entrance end to said exit end, a second nozzle-type anode positioned collinearly to the first anode at said exit end thereof, said second anode having a bore which is appreciably larger in diameter than said first anode bore at said exit end so that there is a sharp knife-edge transition between the two bores, said anode bores forming an arc passageway having a longitudinal axis, a cathode mounted on said axis and having a portion extending adjacent to said first anode entrance end, means for introducing a strong swirl of working gas into said arc passageway at a location therein adjacent to said first anode entrance end, the general plane of which swirl is perpendicular to said axis and means for applying a direct current voltage between said cathode and said second anode so that said torch can operate in a nontransferred arc mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The torch defined in claim 1 wherein said cathode extends along said axis into said first anode bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The torch defined in claim 1 wherein said cathode is mounted at a location in the torch adjacent to said introducing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The torch defined in claim 1 wherein said torch further includes a cathode well centered on said axis and said cathode extends from the bottom of said well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The torch defined in claim 3 wherein said cathode has a beveled free end facing said first anode exit end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The torch defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second anodes make electrical contact with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The torch defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second anodes are electrically insulated from one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The torch defined in claim 1 and further including means for introducing a secondary gas into said arc passageway at a location therein downstream from said swirl introduced by said introducing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The torch defined in claim 1 and further including means for applying a direct current voltage between said cathode and said second anode.
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) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |