Plasma torch and retaining cap with fast securing threads

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9040868-B2
Application number	US-201113213941-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2011
Priority date	Aug 19, 2011
Publication date	May 26, 2015
Grant date	May 26, 2015

Abstract

A retaining cap for a plasma torch is provided that includes fast securing threads. The retaining cap includes internal threads that couple to external threads of a torch body of the plasma torch. The internal and external threads may be multiple start threads having a thread angle greater than 60°. Plasma torches and plasma cutting systems are also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A plasma torch, comprising:
a nozzle;
a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;
a torch body having first threads; and
a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise multiple start threads, each of the multiple start threads comprising a root and two walls extending from the root and having a thread angle between the two walls greater than about 60°, wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

2. The plasma torch of claim 1 , wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

3. The plasma torch of claim 1 , wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

4. The plasma torch of claim 1 , wherein the first threads comprise a first length and the second threads comprise a second length.

5. The plasma torch of claim 4 , wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

6. The plasma torch of claim 1 , comprising a moveable electrode comprising a frustoconical end portion.

7. The plasma torch of claim 6 , comprising a moveable plunger configured to receive a portion of the electrode, wherein the moveable plunger is biased to a first position closer to a tip of the torch when the torch is non-operational and moved to a second position further from the tip when the torch is operational.

8. The plasma torch of claim 7 , comprising a spring configured to bias the plunger to the first position.

9. A retaining cap for a plasma torch, comprising:
a first portion comprising a metallic material; and
a second portion comprising a plastic material, wherein the second portion comprises an annular inner wall comprising multiple start threads, wherein each of the multiple start threads comprises a root, two walls extending from the root, and a thread angle between the two walls of greater than 60°.

10. The retaining cap of claim 9 , wherein the first portion comprises a lip configured to retain a nozzle of the plasma torch.

11. The retaining cap of claim 9 , wherein the multiple start threads comprise double start threads.

12. The retaining cap of claim 9 , wherein the multiple start threads comprises coarse threads.

13. The retaining cap of claim 9 , wherein the multiple start threads comprise a crest having a first width and a root having a second width, wherein the first width comprises about 0.2 millimeters and the second width comprises about 0.4 millimeters.

14. The retaining cap of claim 9 , wherein the multiple start threads comprise a thread pitch, wherein the thread pitch comprises about 4 millimeters.

15. A plasma torch, comprising:
a nozzle;
a swirl ring adjacent to the nozzle;
a torch body having first threads; and
a retaining cap having second threads, wherein the first threads and the second threads comprise single start threads having a pitch of a multiple start thread, wherein each of the single start threads comprises a root, two walls extending from the root, and a thread angle between the two walls greater than about 60°, and wherein the retaining cap retains the nozzle and the swirl ring of the plasma torch.

16. The plasma torch of claim 15 , wherein the first threads and second threads comprise coarse threads.

17. The plasma torch of claim 15 , wherein the first threads and second threads comprise a thread pitch of about 4 millimeters.

18. The plasma torch of claim 15 , wherein the thread angle comprises about 90°.

19. The plasma torch of claim 15 , wherein the torch body comprises a first straight diameter prior to the first threads.

20. The plasma torch of claim 16 , wherein the torch body comprises a second straight diameter after the first threads.

Assignees

• Leiteritz Nathan Gerald
• Crowe George Arthur
• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Leiteritz Nathan Gerald
• Crowe George Arthur

Classifications

• H05H1/34

  Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles · CPC title

• B23K10/00

  Welding or cutting by means of a plasma · CPC title

• B23K9/287

  Supporting devices for electrode holders · CPC title

• B23K9/013 Primary

  Arc cutting, gouging, scarfing or desurfacing · CPC title

• H05H2001/3457

  Electricity · mapped topic