Power Transfer Assembly for Contact-Start Plasma Arc Torch

摘要

A power transfer assembly for supplying electrical power to an electrode of a contact-start plasma arc torch has two conductive elements biased by a compression spring. The conductive elements are provided with mating structures that are defined by parallel surfaces that can be slidably engaged with each other. The conductive elements are configured to engage the spring such that positioning the mating structures to slidably engage each other generates an off-axis force in the spring that biases the mating structures together along at least one line of contact to assure an electrically conductive path through the mating structures from one conductive element to the other. One conductive element is a static element that is positioned against a power supplying element of the torch, while the other is a movable element that engages or is attached to the electrode.

主权项

1. A power transfer assembly for supplying electrical power to an electrode of a contact-start plasma arc torch, the power transfer assembly comprising:
a conductive static element having a first mating structure defined by first mating structure sidewalls that are parallel to a first mating structure axis; a conductive movable element having a second mating structure that is defined by second mating structure sidewalls that are parallel to a second mating structure axis and which is configured to translatably engage said first mating structure; a compression spring configured to engage said conductive elements,
said conductive elements being configured such that positioning said mating structures to be translatably engaged with each other generates an off-axis force in said spring that acts to bias said mating structures together along at least one line of contact to assure an electrically conductive path through said mating structures.