Patent ID: 9480139
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: B23K,H05H

Claim Text:
1. An electrode for a plasma arc torch comprising: a generally cylindrical elongated body formed of an electrically conductive material having a proximal end and a distal end; an emissive insert disposed at the distal end of the electrode body; a spiral flow passage disposed about a first surface relative to the proximal end of the elongated body, the spiral flow passage configured to direct a cooling gas flow about the first surface of the elongated body, the cooling gas flow separated from a plasma gas flow, the cooling gas flow and the plasma gas flow from a supply gas flow; and a flange disposed between the spiral flow passage and the distal end of the elongated body, the flange extending radially from a second surface of the elongated body, the flange and the spiral flow passage defining a volume therebetween and configured to increase turbulence and mixing of the supply gas flow within the volume, thereby establishing a substantially symmetrical gas flow distribution of the plasma gas flow about the distal end of the elongated body.