In some aspects, methods for controlling a plasma arc in a plasma torch of a plasma cutting system in a low operating current mode can include: receiving, by a computing device within the plasma power supply, a command to begin a plasma processing operation; generating a pilot arc command to generate a pilot arc within the plasma torch, the generating of the pilot arc command including directing an electrical signal and a gas flow to the plasma torch, the electrical signal being configured to generate the pilot arc at a current having a first arc amperage magnitude; and generating an operational arc command to facilitate a transition from the pilot arc to an operational plasma arc, the generating of the operational arc command including adjusting the current directed to the plasma torch to be a second arc amperage magnitude that is lower than the first arc amperage magnitude.

Nozzle for a plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of a nozzle protection cap, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of an electrode, plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head having such a nozzle and/or having such an arrangement, plasma torch comprising such a plasma torch head, laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, plasma laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, method for plasma cutting, method for laser cutting and method for plasma laser cutting using the same.

In some aspects, methods for controlling a pneumatic system in a plasma arc processing system can include: receiving, by a computing device, a command to begin a plasma processing operation; generating a valve command signal for a valve that includes an operational drive voltage of at least about 125% of a continuous duty cycle coil voltage rating of the valve to open the valve; and once open, adjusting the valve command signal to facilitate a steady state operation to: monitor a steady state operational duty cycle of the valve, the steady state operational duty cycle being determined by comparing the continuous duty cycle coil voltage rating of the valve to an actual operational drive voltage supplied to the valve, and control the operational drive voltage supplied to the valve to maintain a steady state operational duty cycle of the valve at less than about 60% during steady state operation.

A plasma torch having an open end from which a plasma plume is emitted in use is disclosed. The plasma torch includes a central cathode rod, a grounded conductive tube having an open end and being arranged around the cathode and spaced therefrom to form a first cylindrical cavity open at one end; and a high voltage electrode having a dielectric barrier material at a radially inward-facing surface thereof and being arranged around the grounded conductive tube and spaced apart therefrom to form a second annular cylindrical cavity open at one end. A constant direct current (DC) electrical power plus a high voltage pulsed electrical power is provided to the cathode producing an arc discharge in the first cavity between the cathode and grounded tube to generate a central thermal plasma emitted at an open end of the first cylindrical cavity. A high voltage alternating current electrical power or pulsed electrical power is provided to the high voltage electrode producing a dielectric barrier discharge in the second annular cylindrical cavity to generate a non-thermal plasma emitted from an open end of the second cavity as a halo around the central thermal plasma.

A plasma torch excitation device includes an electrode core frame having a chamber; an electrode implanted in the chamber to form a gas collecting conduit surrounding between the electrode and a wall of the chamber; and an electrode housing fixed at a bottom end of the electrode core frame, the electrode housing having a core bore, the inner end of the core bore communicating with the gas collecting conduit, the outer end serving as a blasting port of the plasma torch. The electrode has an electric ion projecting end, the electric ion projecting end is adjacent to the inner end of the core bore, and a conical bore wall is formed between the inner end and the outer end of the core bore, the conical bore wall is formed by the inner end gradually expanding to the outer end. It can solve the conventional problems of well-known plasma torches, such as, limitation of flame temperature and flame length due to shortness of the core bore.

A bar nozzle-type plasma torch according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a bar electrode having a support and an electrode tip connected to one end of the support; and a cylindrical body for generating plasma by means of the electrode tip being inserted into a nozzle electrode having a groove formed therein.

A structure for high temperature applications includes a base structure which includes a ceramic composite material, and a coating of a metal-semimetal compound, a metal boride, a metal carbide and/or a metal nitride. Furthermore, a production method and a coating device produces structures which resist high temperature applications with higher process temperatures and difficult chemical conditions.

The present invention relates to a plasma-generating device, comprising an anode, a cathode and at least one intermediate electrode, said intermediate electrode being arranged at least partly between said anode and said cathode, and said intermediate electrode and said anode forming at least a part of a plasma channel which has an opening in said anode. Further, the plasma-generating device comprises at least one coolant channel which is arranged with at least one outlet opening which is positioned beyond, in the direction from the cathode to the anode, said at least one intermediate electrode, and the channel direction of said coolant channel at said outlet opening has a directional component which is the same as that of the channel direction of the plasma channel at the opening thereof. The invention also concerns a plasma surgical device and use of such a plasma surgical device.

A process for producing a layer or a body built up of layers. A process gas which has a pressure of >10 bar is accelerated in a convergent-divergent nozzle and a coating material which is formed by particles and is composed of Mo, W, an Mo-based alloy or a W-based alloy is injected into the process gas. The particles are at least partly present as aggregates and/or agglomerates. It is possible to produce dense layers and components in this way. We also describe layers and components having a microstructure with cold-deformed grains having a high aspect ratio.

A structure for high temperature applications comprises a base structure which includes a ceramic composite material, and a coating of a metal-semimetal compound, a metal boride, a metal carbide and/or a metal nitride. Furthermore, a production method and a coating device produces structures which resist high temperature applications with higher process temperatures and difficult chemical conditions.