Plasma blowtorch and startup collet using for high/low frequency powersupply and operation method

• Main Author: HEWETT ROGER W.,HORNER-RICHARDSON KEVIN D.,JONES JOSEPH P.,CHEN SHIYU,ROGERS FRED
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.06.2007
• Subjects: BLASTING; BURNERS; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINE TOOLS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OFNEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMICBEAMS; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

A dual mode plasma arc torch is provided that preferably comprises a start cartridge disposed between an electrode and a tip. In one form, the start cartridge comprises an initiator that is in electrical contact with the electrode and that is resiliently biased into contact with the tip, such that when the plasma arc torch is in a contact start mode, the initiator is movable against the resilient bias to separate from the tip and establish a pilot arc between the initiator and the tip. Further, when the plasma arc torch is in a high frequency start mode, the start cartridge spaces the tip from the electrode such that a pilot arc is established between the electrode and the tip. In other forms, a contact start torch is provided that is operable under high frequency, and conversely, a high frequency start torch is provided that is operable under low voltage.