Plasma Torch Nozzle Holder Cooling via Concavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-amp plasma torches experience rapid wear of the second, cup-shaped member in the covering unit, leading to frequent replacements and increased costs due to high temperatures, necessitating improved wear reduction without altering the basic structure.
Innovation Solution
A plasma torch design with optimized use of a secondary fluid flow through concavities on the supporting surface of the nozzle holder's second member, enhancing cooling and reducing wear by directing the fluid to the outside of the second member, maintaining high operating quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-amp plasma torch operation is used to achieve high cutting performance, then cutting speed and quality are improved, but the second cup-shaped member wears out rapidly due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling paths: the cooling fluid flows through the cooling chamber formed by the nozzle holder and torch body, then through channels in the first member, and finally through concavities on the supporting surface to the outside of the second member. This segmentation allows targeted cooling of different components, particularly the second member, without disrupting the overall torch structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid is pre-cooled before entering the cooling chamber, and the concavities are designed to pre-direct the cooling fluid to the critical areas of the second member before the plasma arc generates excessive heat. This preliminary cooling action prevents the second member from reaching wear-causing temperatures during high-amp operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the basic structure of the covering unit is maintained to ensure manufacturing simplicity, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but wear of the second member increases due to inadequate cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting surface of the first member is provided with concavities at specific locations where the second member requires enhanced cooling. This local modification allows the cooling fluid to be directed precisely to the areas of highest thermal stress on the second member, providing targeted wear protection without altering the overall simple structure of the covering unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the hydraulic flow of cooling fluid through the cooling chamber and channels, directing it via concavities to the outside of the second member. This hydraulic approach provides efficient heat removal through fluid circulation, reducing thermal wear while maintaining the simple mechanical structure of the covering unit.
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
Significantly extends the working life of the second member of the covering unit, reducing wear and associated costs while maintaining directional accuracy and protection of the plasma arc, allowing for flexible adaptation to different end uses.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling chamber through which a cooling fluid passes
Implementation Method 2
The flow of secondary gas is designed to: prevent molten metal from entering the holes; improve directional accuracy of the plasma arc generated; and protect the arc discharged by the torch from the atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
on high-amp torches where the plasma arc causes very high temperatures to be reached
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A plasma torch (1) consists of a torch body (2) comprising: an electrode (3) mounted centrally in the torch body (2); a nozzle (4) mounted on the torch body (2), surrounding the tip of the electrode (3) and having a first central through hole (6) for the passage of the plasma; a nozzle holder (7) whose inside wall faces the outside wall of the nozzle (4) in such a way as to form a cooling chamber (8) through which a second cooling fluid (Fl) passes; a nozzle (4) and nozzle holder (7) covering unit (10) composed of a first member (10a) that can be joined to the torch body (2) and a second member (10b) that can be joined to the proximal end of the first member (10a); the second member (10b) is provided with a second central hole (11), coaxial with the first hole (6); a channel (12) for the passage of a third, cooling fluid (F2) is formed between the nozzle holder (7) and the covering unit (10) in such a way as to reach the second hole (11); in the join area defined by the proximal end of the first holder member (10a) and the annular edge of the second member (10b) there is a plurality of concavities (13) designed to enable a part (F2a) of the third cooling fluid (F2) to flow to the outside of the second member (10b).