Patent ID: 9560732
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: B23K,H05H,Y10T

Claim:
1. A nozzle for a plasma arc torch, the nozzle comprising: a substantially hollow, elongated nozzle body capable of receiving an electrode, the body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle body includes a distal portion having a first internal cross-sectional width and a proximal portion having a second internal cross-sectional width, the second internal cross-sectional width larger than the first internal cross-sectional width; a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, the nozzle tip including a nozzle exit orifice for introducing a plasma arc to a workpiece, the nozzle body and the nozzle tip defining a conductive joint therebetween; a swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle; wherein the first internal cross-sectional width of the nozzle body and the nozzle tip cooperate to retain the swirl sleeve therebetween, preventing distal axial movement of the swirl sleeve; a nozzle shield; and an insulator configured to connect the nozzle tip and the nozzle shield and to electrically insulate the nozzle shield and the nozzle tip from one another while transferring thermal energy therebetween.