Plasma Torch Nozzle Radial Protrusions Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma torch nozzles face challenges with accurate positioning and insufficient cooling, leading to potential damage during assembly and operation due to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece nozzle structure with an internal and external component, featuring radial protrusions and sealing rings for secure positioning, and a coolant system with inlet and outlet slots for efficient cooling, ensuring reliable assembly and effective heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a two-piece nozzle structure is used, then positioning accuracy and cooling efficiency are improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into an internal component and an external component, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. The internal component defines the plasma chamber and outlet opening, while the external component provides cooling channels and positioning features, enabling precise positioning through radial protrusions that engage with the torch body.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial protrusions on the external component automatically position the nozzle within the torch body during assembly, eliminating the need for additional positioning mechanisms. The protrusions engage with corresponding features in the torch body to ensure correct axial and radial positioning self-adjustingly.
2Reliability
If radial protrusions are added for positioning, then positioning reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into radial protrusions that are integrated into the external component. These protrusions are designed with specific geometries (cylindrical, conical, or annular) that provide reliable positioning when engaged with corresponding features in the torch body, while being manufacturable as part of the component molding process.
3Temperature
If cooling channels are integrated into the external component, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the external component by integrating cooling channels directly into its structure. The external component serves dual purposes: providing structural support and positioning features, and conducting thermal management through embedded cooling channels that receive coolant from the torch body.
4Reliability
If sealing rings are added at annular grooves, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing rings are pre-positioned in annular grooves that are formed as integral features of the nozzle components during manufacturing. This preliminary placement of sealing elements eliminates the need for separate sealing installation steps during assembly, reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable sealing at the interface between internal and external components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables intense cooling and accurate positioning of the nozzle components, reducing the risk of damage and improving the assembly efficiency of the plasma torch, while maintaining performance across various electric current values.
Implementation Method 1
Surfaces of the nozzle are cooled particularly by cooling liquid
Implementation Method 2
coolant inlet in the form of a through slot or a pass-through opening or openings, and a coolant outlet in the form of a through slot or a pass-through opening or openings for feeding and leading away of the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
Nozzle for a plasma torch, said nozzle comprising: —an internal component (37, 137) which defines an internal pass-through cavity to form a plasma chamber having an outlet opening (7, 107), —an external component (38, 138) which at least partially and coaxially surrounds the internal component (37, 137) and which has a distal conical region, a proximal cylindrical region and an intermediary region (8, 108) between those, wherein radial protrusions (29, 129) are arranged with a mutual angular spacing at an external surface of the external component (38, 138) along a common radial plane between the intermediary region (8, 108) and the proximal cylindrical region.