Provided is a plasma torch in which a cathode conduit is disposed to be spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of a cooling conduit, an insulator and an anode conduit are sequentially disposed around the cathode conduit in a closely abutting relation, an electrode element is engagingly coupled to a left end of the cathode conduit, and a nozzle is engagingly coupled to a left end of the anode conduit, and in which the cooling conduit includes one or more small peripheral radial air outlets formed on an outer circumferential surface of a left side end thereof so as to be opened at one sides of the air outlets, and a large central air outlet formed at the center of the left end thereof so that the left end of the cooling conduit is brought into close contact with an inner bottom of the electrode element.

A plasma cutting system includes a plasma cutting power supply configured to provide cutting current to a torch. A controllable gas valve regulates at least one of a flow rate and a pressure supplied to the torch. A controller is operatively connected to the power supply to control a current level, and to the gas valve to adjust a valve position. The controller is configured to receive real-time torch position information from a motion control system that controls positioning of the torch. The position information includes torch positions along a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The controller is configured to calculate respective derivatives from the torch positions along the first and second axes, and a real-time velocity magnitude of the torch from the respective derivatives, and adjust the current level and the valve position based on the calculated real-time velocity magnitude.

A plasma arc torch includes a cathode extending along an axis of the torch, a pilot arc conductor, and a nozzle body. A first fluid conduit and second fluid conduit extend parallel to the axis of the torch. A first offset fitting includes a first duct coupled to and in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, and a second duct in fluid communication with the first duct and outwardly radially offset from the first duct and extending away from the first duct in a proximal direction. A second offset fitting includes a third duct coupled to and in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit, and a fourth duct in fluid communication with the third duct and outwardly radially offset from the third duct and extending away from the third duct in the proximal direction. A spring compression plug electrically connects the pilot arc conductor to the nozzle body.

Embodiments of the present invention include a plasma cutting torch and plasma cutting torch components, such as electrodes, cathodes, retainer caps, etc. having a unique physical features, including threads relationships. Embodiments include torch components having modified square thread with a specialized thread configuration including a particular relationship between thread crest and root, and included angles of thread sidewalls.

The invention relates to an electrode for an especially gas-cooled plasma torch, in particular plasma cutting torch, the electrode comprising: an elongated electrode body with an open end and a closed end, the ends defining a longitudinal axis L, and an emission insert in the closed end, a cavity extending in the electrode body from the open end of the electrode body towards the closed end, the cavity fluidically communicating with the outer face of the electrode body which is radial with regard to the longitudinal axis, via at least one opening in its wall or in the front solid portion of the closed end. The invention further relates to a system consisting of said electrode and cooling tube, to a gas conducting unit, a plasma torch comprising same, a method for conducting gas in a plasma torch and a method for operating the plasma torch.

A method for conducting gas in a gas-cooled plasma torch wherein the plasma torch has a plasma torch body which holds an electrode with an open end and a closed end. A cavity extends from the open end in the direction of the closed end, and which, with a spacing in an axial direction, holds a nozzle by means of a nozzle holder. The nozzle has a central opening with an upstream inlet end, into which the electrode projects, and with an outlet end with a nozzle bore and is surrounded by a nozzle cap and/or a nozzle protection cap. The plasma torch body has an opening for a gas feeder, which opening is fluidically connected to a cooling tube which projects into the open end of the electrode.

A connector component configured for coupling a consumable component to a plasma arc torch is provided. The connector component comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end disposed along and defining a longitudinal axis. The connector component includes at least two engagement regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body. Each engagement region includes at least one engagement feature disposed on the surface of the body. The connector component also includes at least two free regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on the surface of the body. Each free region is radially located between a pair of the engagement regions and characterized by an absence of the engagement feature.

A liquid cooled shield assembly for a plasma arc torch includes an inner cap and a shield. The inner cap includes a substantially hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end that define a longitudinal axis, the distal end including an annular portion about the longitudinal axis. The inner cap also includes a liquid passage defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the body, the liquid passage including a first set of ports in the annular portion, the first set of ports extending between an interior portion of the body and an exterior portion of the body to convey a liquid therethrough. The shield at least partially surrounds the inner cap and has a liquid impingement region on an interior surface of the shield adjacent to the first set of ports, the liquid impingement region for receiving the cooling liquid.

The invention relates to an electrode (30) for an especially gas-cooled plasma torch (10), in particular plasma cutting torch, the electrode comprising: an elongated electrode body (30b) with an open end (34) and a closed end (33), said ends defining a longitudinal axis L, and an emission insert (31) in the closed end (33), a cavity (32; 32a, 32b) extending in the electrode body (30b) from the open end (34) of the electrode body towards the closed end (33), said cavity fluidically communicating with the outer face (37) of the electrode body which is radial with regard to the longitudinal axis, via at least one opening (32c, 32d) in its wall (30a) or in the front solid portion of the closed end (33). The invention further relates to a system consisting of said electrode and cooling tube, to a gas conducting unit, a plasma torch comprising same, a method for conducting gas in a plasma torch and a method for operating the plasma torch.

A nozzle for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle includes a thermally conductive body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The nozzle also includes a plasma arc exit orifice at the distal end of the thermally conductive body. The nozzle additionally includes a cooling waist located circumferentially about an exterior surface of the thermally conductive body. The cooling waist includes a liquid inlet slope, a liquid outlet slope and a heat exchange region between the liquid inlet slope and the liquid outlet slope. The heat exchange region extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the liquid inlet slope and the liquid outlet slope are oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.