A generating electric arc is disclosed herein, which thermally and mechanically acts on a material in such a manner that the electrical arc is shaped and guided by the action of a magnetic field and hydro-mechanical forces on the electrical arc. Generally, a substantial part of the electric arc acts directly and areally on a conductive and/or non-conductive material to be disrupted, a substantial part of the electric arc's heat flow is directed into the material to be disrupted, both electric arc roots move on the electrodes of a generator, and the electric arc has preferably a shape of a spiral. A device is also provided herein for generating an electric arc with thermal and mechanic action on a material containing axially symmetrical electrodes, i.e. an anode (4) and a cathode (6), a spark gap (7), nozzles (5) for the working medium flow, cooling media inlet and outlet (12), electric power supply (14), and ring-shaped magnets (9) whose section has the shape of a triangle. Typically, the anode (4) has the shape of the diffuser with an angular span from 5 to 130.

A generating electric arc is disclosed herein, which thermally and mechanically acts on a material in such a manner that the electrical arc is shaped and guided by the action of a magnetic field and hydro-mechanical forces on the electrical arc. Generally, a substantial part of the electric arc acts directly and areally on a conductive and/or non-conductive material to be disrupted, a substantial part of the electric arc's heat flow is directed into the material to be disrupted, both electric arc roots move on the electrodes of a generator, and the electric arc has preferably a shape of a spiral. A device is also provided herein for generating an electric arc with thermal and mechanic action on a material containing axially symmetrical electrodes, i.e. an anode (4) and a cathode (6), a spark gap (7), nozzles (5) for the working medium flow, cooling media inlet and outlet (12), electric power supply (14), and ring-shaped magnets (9) whose section has the shape of a triangle. Typically, the anode (4) has the shape of the diffuser with an angular span from 5 to 130.

A generating electric arc is disclosed herein, which thermally and mechanically acts on a material in such a manner that the electrical arc is shaped and guided by the action of a magnetic field and hydro-mechanical forces on the electrical arc. Generally, a substantial part of the electric arc acts directly and areally on a conductive and/or non-conductive material to be disrupted, a substantial part of the electric arc's heat flow is directed into the material to be disrupted, both electric arc roots move on the electrodes of a generator, and the electric arc has preferably a shape of a spiral. A device is also provided herein for generating an electric arc with thermal and mechanic action on a material containing axially symmetrical electrodes, i.e. an anode (4) and a cathode (6), a spark gap (7), nozzles (5) for the working medium flow, cooling media inlet and outlet (12), electric power supply (14), and ring-shaped magnets (9) whose section has the shape of a triangle. Typically, the anode (4) has the shape of the diffuser with an angular span from 5 to 130.

A generating electric arc is disclosed herein, which thermally and mechanically acts on a material in such a manner that the electrical arc is shaped and guided by the action of a magnetic field and hydro-mechanical forces on the electrical arc. Generally, a substantial part of the electric arc acts directly and areally on a conductive and/or non-conductive material to be disrupted, a substantial part of the electric arc's heat flow is directed into the material to be disrupted, both electric arc roots move on the electrodes of a generator, and the electric arc has preferably a shape of a spiral. A device is also provided herein for generating an electric arc with thermal and mechanic action on a material containing axially symmetrical electrodes, i.e. an anode (4) and a cathode (6), a spark gap (7), nozzles (5) for the working medium flow, cooling media inlet and outlet (12), electric power supply (14), and ring-shaped magnets (9) whose section has the shape of a triangle. Typically, the anode (4) has the shape of the diffuser with an angular span from 5 to 130.

A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.

A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.

This specification describes systems, methods, and architectures related to generating a plasma shield for laser operations. An example system for generating a plasma shield includes a laser head for directing a laser beam towards a target area on a workpiece. The path of the laser beam from the laser head to the target area on the workpiece is substantially surrounded by a plasma shield, which may form a gas-impermeable barrier. The plasma shield is configured to prevent the ingress of atmospheric or environmental gases, for example oxygen, into an area which would allow the gas to be in contact with the area of the workpiece being interacted with by a laser beam. The shape or location of the plasma shield may be controlled or altered using a magnetic field.

This specification describes systems, methods, and architectures related to generating a plasma shield for laser operations. An example system for generating a plasma shield includes a laser head for directing a laser beam towards a target area on a workpiece. The path of the laser beam from the laser head to the target area on the workpiece is substantially surrounded by a plasma shield, which may form a gas-impermeable barrier. The plasma shield is configured to prevent the ingress of atmospheric or environmental gases, for example oxygen, into an area which would allow the gas to be in contact with the area of the workpiece being interacted with by a laser beam. The shape or location of the plasma shield may be controlled or altered using a magnetic field.

A magnetic field is generated in a workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the joining direction, and as a result of the Lorentz force resulting from the magnetic field and the current between the plasma torch and the workpiece, the front tip side of the arc is bent forward in the direction of advancement of the plasma torch and welding is performed. The magnetic field strength of the welded part is adjusted by changing the relative positions of the plasma torch and a butting portion of the workpiece.

A plasma arc system includes a plasma torch having a torch nozzle with an opening at a distal end for a plasma jet to exit. An electromagnetic shield cap is disposed near the distal end of the torch nozzle with the shield cap having an opening that is coaxial with the opening of the torch nozzle. A plasma cutting power source supplies current to the torch to create the plasma jet. A magnetic field power source provides a current to the electromagnetic shield cap to generate a magnetic field near the plasma jet to focus the plasma jet as the plasma jet exits the torch nozzle. A controller synchronizes operation of the power sources during a transition from a piercing operation to a cutting operation.