Closed loop cooling of a plasma gun to improve hardware life

摘要

Water cooling system (1) for a plasma gun (2), method for cooling a plasma gun (2) and method for increasing a service life of a plasma gun (2). The system (1) includes a water cooler structured and arranged to remove heat from cooling water to be supplied to the plasma gun (2), a controller (7) structured and arranged to monitor a gun voltage of the plasma gun (2), and at least one flow valve (8) coupled to and under control of the controller (7) to adjust a flow of the cooling water. When the gun voltage drops below a predetermined value, the controller (7) controls the at least one flow valve (8) to increase the plasma gun temperature and the gun voltage.

主权项

1. A water cooling system for a plasma gun, comprising:
a water cooler structured and arranged to remove heat from cooling water to be supplied to the plasma gun; a controller structured and arranged to monitor a gun voltage of the plasma gun in operation; and at least one flow valve coupled to and under control of the controller to adjust a flow of the cooling water, wherein, when the gun voltage of the plasma gun in operation drops below a predetermined value, the controller controls the at least one flow valve to increase a plasma gun temperature, which thereby increases the gun voltage.