The invention features methods and apparatuses for liquid cooling a plasma arc torch. An electrode is provided including a body having a longitudinal axis defining a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The electrode includes a first sealing element disposed on an exterior of the body near the first end; a second sealing element disposed on the exterior of the body located in the middle portion, the second sealing element configured to provide a first gas seal to a swirl gas chamber and defining a portion of the swirl gas chamber; and a third sealing element disposed on the exterior of the body, the third sealing element located between the second sealing element and the second end, the third sealing element configured to provide a second gas seal to the swirl gas chamber and defining a portion of the swirl gas chamber.

Plasma electrode (1) for a plasma arc torch consisting of an electrode body, at least one electrode core (4) disposed on the electrode tip, wherein the plasma electrode (1) is constructed in at least two parts and consists of the electrode tip (2) and an electrode part (3), and out of the electrode tip (2) and a electrode part (3) consists, and that the electrode tip (2) is held replaceably on the electrode part (3).

Plasma electrode (1) for a plasma arc torch consisting of an electrode body, at least one electrode core (4) disposed on the electrode tip, wherein the plasma electrode (1) is constructed in at least two parts and consists of the electrode tip (2) and an electrode part (3), and out of the electrode tip (2) and a electrode part (3) consists, and that the electrode tip (2) is held replaceably on the electrode part (3).

A rotatable plasma torch is provided which can easily rotate when used in robotic or automatic cutting system while minimizing damage to internal connections of the torch. The torch is provided with a sleeve structure on the torch handle where there is no structure or component positioned between the sleeve and the exterior of the torch handle.

Apparatuses and methods for production of molybdenum targets, and the formed molybdenum targets, used to produce Tc-99m are described. The target includes a copper support plate having a front face and a back face. The copper support plate desirably has dimensions of thickness of about 2.8 mm, a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 30 mm; and the copper support plate desirably has either a circular or an elliptical cavity centrally formed therein by pressing molybdenum powder into the front face with a depth of about 200-400 microns. Also, the copper support plate includes cooling channels dispensed at the back face; wherein the copper support plate is water cooled by a flow of water during irradiation by a proton beam. Molybdenum powder is embedded and compressed onto the cavity of the copper support plate thereby creating a thin layer of molybdenum onto the copper support plate.

A tool (10) for processing a workpiece in a processing machine has a connecting portion (11) which is at the machine side during operation and is preferably standardized, for connecting the tool with a numerically controlled machine tool (30), a plasma duct (44) for conducting a generated plasma, and an outlet portion (13) which is at the workpiece side during operation and is disposed at the end of the duct (44), and which comprises one or a plurality of outlets (22) for supplying the plasma to a workpiece surface.

A tool (10) for processing a workpiece in a processing machine has a connecting portion (11) which is at the machine side during operation and is preferably standardized, for connecting the tool with a numerically controlled machine tool (30), a plasma duct (44) for conducting a generated plasma, and an outlet portion (13) which is at the workpiece side during operation and is disposed at the end of the duct (44), and which comprises one or a plurality of outlets (22) for supplying the plasma to a workpiece surface.

Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method of optimizing nozzle of thermal spray gun. The nozzle includes a central bore comprising a conical bore and a cylindrical bore. The conical bore is delimited by a conical wall surface in a conical bore section, the cylindrical bore is delimited by a cylindrical wall surface in a cylindrical bore section, and the conical bore section and the cylindrical bore section are structured so that heat is removed more rapidly from the conical wall than from the cylindrical wall.

Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method of optimizing nozzle of thermal spray gun. The nozzle includes a central bore comprising a conical bore and a cylindrical bore. The conical bore is delimited by a conical wall surface in a conical bore section, the cylindrical bore is delimited by a cylindrical wall surface in a cylindrical bore section, and the conical bore section and the cylindrical bore section are structured so that heat is removed more rapidly from the conical wall than from the cylindrical wall.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a plasma arc cutting torch and an electrode assembly used in the torch. The electrode assembly includes a high thermionic emissive insert and a high thermally conductive and high work function shell into which the insert is inserted. The shell aids in cooling the insert during operation and also has a design which ensures that the shell remains in a proper position during manufacture of the electrode assembly.