A torch tip is provided for a liquid-cooled plasma arc cutting torch. The torch tip includes an electrode with an elongated electrode body having a distal end and a proximal end extending along a longitudinal axis. The electrode body includes at least one interior threaded connection at the proximal end for engaging a liquid-cooled electrode holder. The electrode holder comprises a liquid coolant channel that does not extend into the electrode body. The electrode body has (i) a length extending along the longitudinal axis and (ii) a diameter associated with a widest portion of the electrode body along the longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, where a ratio of the length to the diameter of the electrode body is greater than about 5.

An atmospheric pressure pulsed arc plasma source and method of using including a housing having a housing opening therein; an insulator tube having an insulator tube opening therein, retained within the housing opening; and a conductive tube, retained within the insulator tube opening. A nozzle is retained by the housing. A feed path is defined in the conductive tube and the nozzle and a gas feed port is operatively coupled to the feed path. Feedstock is provided in the feed path and electrically coupled to the conductive tube. A pulsed DC power source provides a pulsed voltage to the conductive tube. The plasma source emits a discharge stream having a temperature that is less than 50° C. from the nozzle and a coating is formed on a substrate.

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 comprises an apparatus, method and system used to treat various liquids, seeds, and soil or other growth media used in cultivating plants by exposure to a plasma discharge. The system comprises a novel electrode structure which utilizes a tapered inner electrode and a porous outer electrode to create a three-dimensional plasma discharge, which is applied to liquid, seeds or growth media through removably attachable sub-assemblies. When used to treat water or seeds, highly-concentrated plasma activated water (PAW) and disease and drought resistant plasma activated seeds (PAS), respectively, are produced, which improve germination rate and efficiency, and eliminate the need for ammonia-based chemical fertilizers.

A novel, modified cathode device having partially dome shaped portion with a cathode flat surface therealong has been created, whereby arc rotational movement is significantly improved over conventional cathode designs. A complimentary cathode holder with enhanced cooling features is provided to prevent overheating of the cathode tip. The end result is an improved, more versatile plasma arc spray gun that can run at elevated power and enthalpy levels without incurring thermal damage.

An electrode feed device for a plasma torch installation including an element for fastening an active electrode, movable in translation along a longitudinal axis of the active electrode, wherein it further has a magazine including compartments each adapted to receive an electrode amongst a plurality of additional electrodes, a system or moving the compartments, configured to place an additional electrode amongst the plurality of additional electrodes in alignment with a current active electrode along the longitudinal axis, an assembly device configured to fasten a proximal end of the current active electrode and a distal end of the additional electrode end-to-end, so that they form together a new active electrode.

A cathode for a plasma gun includes a main body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a protrusion. A method of using the cathode includes mounting the cathode inside a plasma gun and generating an arc discharge via the protrusion.

Provided is a fluid-cooled melting tool that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by additive manufacturing techniques, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects. In some configurations, the melting tool is configured to be a plasma transferred arc (PTA) torch and the deposition rate can be increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the electrode made possible by the dual circuit cooling design of the torch. The fluid-cooled melting tools provided herein exhibit stable and repeatable PTA characteristics over wide range of current including current of 400 amps or more, whether pulsed or non-pulsed, and plasma gas flow inputs.

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.

A torch tip is provided for a liquid-cooled plasma arc cutting torch. The torch tip includes an electrode with an elongated electrode body having a distal end and a proximal end extending along a longitudinal axis. The electrode body includes at least one interior threaded connection at the proximal end for engaging a liquid-cooled electrode holder. The electrode holder comprises a liquid coolant channel that does not extend into the electrode body. The electrode body has (i) a length extending along the longitudinal axis and (ii) a diameter associated with a widest portion of the electrode body along the longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, where a ratio of the length to the diameter of the electrode body is greater than about 5.