Patent ID: 9370088
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: B23K,H05H

Claim Text:
1. A plasma arc torch comprising: an electrode; a tip spaced distally from the electrode; a shield cup surrounding the tip and forming a portion of a shield gas passageway therebetween; and a start cartridge disposed between the electrode and the tip for initiating a pilot arc, the start cartridge defining at least one redirect gas passageway in fluid communication with the shield gas passageway, such that when a working gas is directed into the start cartridge to initiate the pilot arc, at least a portion of the working gas is redirected through the at least one redirect gas passageway and into the shield gas passageway to form at least a portion of a shield gas flow around the tip, and the portion of the working gas is redirected outwardly through a radial vent hole and then distally through an axial vent hole of an anode member toward an exit orifice of the tip.