Patent ID: 6326583
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H05H

Abstract:
A supply gas controller for a plasma arc torch comprising:a console defining a housing and having a user interface;a plurality of gas inlet ports mounted within the housing, each inlet port adapted for receiving an external source of a pressurized gas;a plurality of solenoid valves disposed within said housing, each of said solenoid valves in communication with at least one of said inlet ports for selection of various combinations of the pressurized gasses;a pre-flow pressure regulator in fluid communication with one of said inlet ports and a pressurized pre-flow gas source;a post flow pressure regulator in fluid communication with one of said inlet ports and a pressurized post flow gas source;a plasma gas pressure regulator in fluid communication with at least two of said solenoid valves for selection of a plasma gas from at least two of the pressurized gasses;a shield gas pressure regulator in fluid communication with at least two of said solenoid valves for selection of a shield gas from at least two of the pressurized gasses;a microprocessor responsive to a signal from said user interface, the microprocessor further providing a control means for said plurality of solenoid gas valves and said pressure regulators, said microprocessor further responsive to an operating condition of said plasma arc torch;selecting a shutdown sequence of said plasma gas and said post flow gas in response to said operating condition of said torch; and,wherein, in response to a signal from said user interface, said microprocessor selects a pre-flow gas and gas pressure, a plasma gas and gas pressure, a shield gas and gas pressure, and a post flow gas and gas pressure, and initiates and controls the gas flows and pressures at the appropriate time in the torch cutting cycle.