Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Utility Patent
1999-11-18
2001-01-02
Paschall, Mark (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
C219S121480, C219S075000
Utility Patent
active
06169264
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a nozzle
ozzle carrier assembly for a plasma torch, to a plasma torch provided with such an assembly and to a process for welding, cutting or marking with a plasma arc adapted to use such a torch or an assembly according to the invention.
Conventionally, plasma torches are comprised of a torch body with, in its rear portion, connections to fluid supply channels, particularly for plasmagenic gas, and electrical power and, in its front portion, means for mounting/securing the electrode body and the nozzle of the torch.
In certain cases, so as particularly to facilitate the maintenance and/or replacement of the used or defective pieces, the torch can be provided with quick assembly/disassembly means, as described in the document EP-A-599709, which is incorporated herein by reference.
As will be set forth in detail hereafter, in conventional plasma torches, the nozzle is fixed to a support element called a nozzle carrier.
In this type of mounting, the securement and centering of the nozzle on the nozzle carrier are in general principally ensured by screw threads carried by one portion of the external peripheral wall of the nozzle.
However, it has been noted that in case of accidental overheating, intense use of the torch and/or fouling of these elements, securement problems arise leading to accelerated deterioration of the nozzle carrier, and hence to more frequent replacement of said nozzle carrier and/or of said nozzle and, correspondingly, to an increase of cost.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the above drawbacks by providing a nozzle
ozzle carrier assembly for plasma torches whose structure permits particularly solving this problem of securement, whilst improving the centering of the nozzle on the nozzle carrier, and which will be quick mounting/demounting.
The present invention thus relates to a male/female assembly for a plasma torch comprising:
a nozzle forming the male portion and comprising at least one upstream portion having a diameter D1, at least one intermediate portion having a diameter D2 and at least one downstream portion having, immediately adjacent the intermediate portion, a diameter D3, said intermediate portion being located between said upstream portion and downstream portion, said diameters D1, D2 and D3 being such that D3>D1>D2, and
a nozzle carrier forming the female portion, which is adapted to receive said nozzle, said male/female assembly being characterized:
in that the nozzle comprises, on the external periphery of said upstream portion, at least one helicoidal ramp and at least one recess extending over at least all the axial length (L) of said helicoidal ramp, and
in that the nozzle carrier comprises, over its internal peripheral surface and adjacent its downstream end, at least one projection adapted to coact with at least one helicoidal ramp of the nozzle, so as to be able to ensure holding in position of the nozzle in the nozzle carrier by means of at least said projection and at least said ramp, after securement at least by rotation of said nozzle in said nozzle carrier.
As the case may be, the male/female assembly according to the invention can comprise one or several of the following characteristics:
the nozzle has several helicoidal ramps, preferably at least three helicoidal ramps;
the nozzle carrier comprises several projections, preferably at least three projections;
a recess is provided between each helicoidal ramp and/or extending over at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the nozzle;
the internal profile of the nozzle carrier, at its downstream end, corresponds substantially to the external profile of the nozzle, at its upstream portion.
The invention also relates to a nozzle adapted to constitute the male portion of a male/female assembly according to the invention and a nozzle carrier adapted to constitute the female portion of such an assembly.
According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a plasma torch, an automatic machine or any other similar mechanized device comprising a nozzle and/or a nozzle carrier adapted to constitute at least one of the portions of a male/female assembly according to the invention.
According to still another aspect, the invention deals with a process for cutting, welding or marking with a plasma arc adapted to use a plasma torch according to the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4059743 (1977-11-01), Esibian et al.
patent: 4590354 (1986-05-01), Marhic et al.
patent: 4649257 (1987-03-01), Yakovlevitch et al.
patent: 4805807 (1989-02-01), Perne et al.
patent: 4891489 (1990-01-01), Bollinger et al.
patent: 0 528 528 (1993-02-01), None
La Soudure Autogene Francaise
Paschall Mark
Young & Thompson
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