In some aspects, contact members to connect plasma torch leads to plasma cutting systems can include: a base portion; a set of ports within the base portion that include: a coolant supply port to convey a liquid coolant from the cutting system to a plasma arc torch connected to the contact member by the torch lead, a coolant return port: i) to convey return liquid coolant from the torch to the cutting system, and ii) to convey an operational current from the cutting system to the torch, at least one gas supply port to convey processing gases to the torch, and an ohmic contact connector; and a connector to couple the base portion to the cutting system and connect each of the ports and electrical connectors to respective complementary connections of the cutting system upon coupling to the cutting system.

Apparatus and methods associated with operating a plasma torch are disclosed. According to some implementations, the apparatus and methods involve the delivery of a process gas to a shuttle valve at first and second pressures for the purpose of altering an axial position of a valve element located inside the shuttle valve. The shuttle valve is configured such that at different axial positions of the valve element the flow of process gas into the plasma torch is altered.

An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.

A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.

A cooling component suitable for cooling an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system includes a heat transfer surface, an inlet, an outlet, and a closed flow area. The heat transfer surface transfers heat away from the electrical component. The inlet receives process gas from a gas source and the outlet directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly. The closed flow area extends between the inlet and the outlet and is in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface so that the process gas enhances cooling of the electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.

A cooling component suitable for cooling an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system includes a heat transfer surface, an inlet, an outlet, and a closed flow area. The heat transfer surface transfers heat away from the electrical component. The inlet receives process gas from a gas source and the outlet directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly. The closed flow area extends between the inlet and the outlet and is in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface so that the process gas enhances cooling of the electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.

An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a plasma confinement tube disposed in the tubular torch body coaxial therewith, a gas distributor head disposed at one end of the plasma confinement tube and structured to supply at least one gaseous substance into the plasma confinement tube; an inductive coupling member embedded within the tubular torch body for applying energy to the gaseous substance to produce and sustain plasma in the plasma confinement tube, and an electrically conductive capacitive shield on an inner surface of the tubular torch body. The capacitive shield is segmented into axial strips interconnected at one end. Axial grooves are machined in the inner surface of the tubular torch body, the axial grooves being interposed between the axial strips.

An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a plasma confinement tube disposed in the tubular torch body coaxial therewith, a gas distributor head disposed at one end of the plasma confinement tube and structured to supply at least one gaseous substance into the plasma confinement tube; an inductive coupling member embedded within the tubular torch body for applying energy to the gaseous substance to produce and sustain plasma in the plasma confinement tube, and an electrically conductive capacitive shield on an inner surface of the tubular torch body. The capacitive shield is segmented into axial strips interconnected at one end. Axial grooves are machined in the inner surface of the tubular torch body, the axial grooves being interposed between the axial strips.